DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Occupational Safety and Health Administration

[Docket Number ICR-97-43]

Agency Information Collection Activities: Proposed Collection; Comment Request; Lead 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 Lead in Construction 29 CFR 1926.62. The Department of Labor is particularly interested in comments which:

• evaluate whether the proposed collection of information is necessary 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 assumption 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 techniques or other forms of information technology, e.g., permitting electronic submissions of response.

DATES: Written comments must be submitted by September 15, 1997.

ADDRESSES: Comments are to be submitted to the Docket Office, Docket No. ICR-97-43, U.S. Department of Labor, Room N-2625, 200 Constitution Ave. NW., Washington, DC 20210, telephone (202) 219-7894. Written comments limited to 10 pages or fewer may also be transmitted by facsimile to (202) 219-5046.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Todd Owen, Directorate of Health Standards Programs, Occupational Safety and Health Administration, U.S. Department of Labor, Room N- 3647, 200 Constitution Ave., NW., Washington, DC 20210. Telephone: (202) 219-7075. Copies of the referenced information collection request are available for inspection and copying in the Docket Office and will be mailed to persons who request copies by telephoning Todd Owen at (202) 219-7075 or Barbara Bielaski at (202 219-8076. For electronic copies of the Information Collection Request on Lead in Construction contact OSHA's WebPage on Internet at http://www.osha.gov/ and click on standards.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Background

The purpose of the Lead in Construction Standard and its information collection requirements are to reduce occupational lead exposure in the construction industry. Lead exposure can result in both acute and chronic effects and can be fatal in severe cases of lead intoxication. Some of the health effects associated with lead exposure include brain disorders which can lead to seizures, coma, and death; anemia; neurological problems; high blood pressure; Kidney problem; reproductive problems; and decreased red blood cell production. The Standard requires that employers establish and maintain a training and compliance program, and exposure monitoring and medical surveillance records. These records are used by employees, physicians, employers and OSHA to determine the effectiveness of the employers' compliance efforts.

Type of Review: Extension.

Agency: Occupational Safety and Health Administration.

Title: Lead in Construction 29 CFR 1926.62.

OMB Number: 1218-0189.

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

Total Respondents: 147,073.

Frequency: On occasion.

Total Responses: 6,351,167.

Average Time per Response: Approximately 0.286 hour.

Estimated Total Burden Hours: 1,814,671.

Total Annualized capital/startup costs: 0.

Total initial annual costs: (operating/maintaining systems or purchasing services): $87,087,005.

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

Dated: July 10, 1997.

Ruth McCully,
Acting Deputy Director, Directorate of Health Standards Programs.

[FR Doc. 97-18703 Filed 7-15-97; 8:45 am)