DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Occupational Safety and Health Administration

[Docket No. ICR 97-14]

Agency Information Collection Activities: Proposed Collection; Comment Request; Asbestos in Construction

AGENCY: Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), Department of Labor.

ACTION: Notice.

SUMMARY: The Department of Labor, as part of its continuing effort to reduce paperwork and respondent burden, conducts a preclearance consultation program to provide the general public and Federal agencies with an opportunity to comment on proposed and/or continuing collections of information in accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (PRA95) [44 U.S.C. 3506(c)(2)(A)]. This program helps to ensure that requested data can be provided in the desired format, reporting burden (time and financial resources) is minimized, collection instruments are clearly understood, and the impact of collection requirements on respondents can be properly assessed. Currently the Occupational Safety and Health Administration is soliciting comments concerning the proposed extension of the information collection request for the Asbestos Standard 29 CFR 1926.1101. A copy of the proposed information collection request (ICR) can be obtained by contracting the employee listed below in the ADDRESSEs section of this notice.

Dates: Written comments must be submitted to the office listed in the ADDRESSES section below on or before September 12, 1997. The Department of Labor is particularly interested in comments which:

• Evaluate whether the proposed collection of information for the proper performance of the functions of the agency, including whether the information will have practical utility;



• Evaluate the accuracy of the agency's estimate of the burden of the proposed collection of information, including the validity of the methodology and assumptions used;



• Enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected; and



• Minimize the burden of the collection of information on those who are to respond, including through the use of appropriate automated, electronic, mechanical, or other technological collection technique or other forms of information technology, e.g., permitting electronic submissions of responses.

DATES: Written comments must be submitted by September 12, 1997.

ADDRESSES: Comments are to be submitted to the Docket Office, Docket No. ICR 97-14, U.S. Department of Labor, Room N-2625, 200 Constitution Avenue, NW., Washington, DC 20210, telephone number (202) 219-7894. Written comments limited to 10 pages or less in length may also be transmitted by facsimile to (202) 219-5046.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION: Copies of the referenced information collection request are available for inspection and copying in the Docket Office and will be mailed immediately to persons who request copies by telephoning Barbara Bielaski at (202) 219-8076 or Adrian Corsey at (202) 219-7075. For electronic copies of the Information Collection Request on Asbestos in Construction contact OSHA's WebPage on the Internet at http://www.osha.gov/ and click on standards.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Background

The Asbestos standard and its information collection is designed to provide protection for employees from the adverse health effects associated with occupational exposure to asbestos. The standard requires employers to monitor employee exposure to asbestos, to monitor employee health and to provide employees with information about their exposures and the health effects of injuries.

II. Current Actions

This notice requests an extension of the current OMB approval of the paperwork requirements in the Asbestos Standard. Extension is necessary to provide continued protection to employees from the health hazards associated with occupational exposure to asbestos.

Type of Review: Extension.

Agency: Occupational Safety and Health Administration.

Title: Asbestos in Construction.

OMB Number: 1218-0134.

Agency Number: Docket Number ICR 97-14.

Affected Public: Business and other for-profit, Federal and State government, Local or Tribal governments.

Total Respondents: 286,821.

Frequency: On Occasion.

Total Responses: 53,488,129.

Average Time per Response: Time per response ranges from 5 minutes to maintain records to 17.3 hours to train qualified persons.

Estimated Total Burden Hours: 5,817,388.

Estimated Capital, Operation/Maintenance Burden Cost: $42,774,491.

Comments submitted in response to this notice will be summarized and/or included in the request for Office of Management and Budget approval of the information collection request; they will also become a matter of public record.

Dated: June 30, 1997.

Adam M. Finkel,
Director, Directorate of Health Standards Programs.

[FR Doc. 97-18400 Filed 7-11-97; 8:45 am)