DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Occupational Safety and Health Administration

[Docket No. ICR-97-49]

Agency Information Collection Activities; Proposed Collection; Comment Request; Portable Fire Extinguishers-Annual Maintenance Certification Record

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 (PRA 95) (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 impact of collection requirements on respondents can be properly assessed. Currently, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) is soliciting comments concerning the proposed extension of the information collection requirements contained in 29 CFR 1910.157(e)(3). The Agency 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 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 techniques or other forms of information technology, e.g., permitting electronic submissions of responses.

DATES: Written comments must be submitted on or before February 27, 1998.

ADDRESSES: Comments are to be submitted to the Docket Office, Docket No. ICR-97-49, Occupational Safety and Health Administration, U.S. Department of Labor, Room N-2625, 200 Constitution Avenue, NW, Washington, D.C. 20210. Telephone: (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 CONTACT: Theda Kenney, Directorate of Safety Standards Programs, Occupational Safety and Health Administration, U.S. Department of Labor, Room N- 3605, 200 Constitution Avenue, NW, Washington, D.C. 20210, telephone: (202) 219-8061. 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 Theda Kennedy at (202) 219-8061, ext. 100, or Barbara Bielaski at (202) 219-8076, ext. 142. For electronic copies of the Information Collection Request on the certification requirements for Portable Fire Extinguishers, contact OSHA's WebPage on the Internet at http://www.osha.gov/ and click on "standards."

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Background

The Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970 (the Act) authorizes the promulgation of such health and safety standards as are necessary or appropriate to provide safe or healthful employment and places of employment. The statue specifically authorizes information collection by employers as necessary or appropriate for the enforcement of the Act or for developing information regarding the causes and prevention of occupational injuries, illnesses, and accidents.

The inspection certification record required in 29 CFR 1910.157(e)(3) is necessary to assure compliance with the inspection requirements for portable fire extinguishers. They are intended to assure that portable fire extinguishers have an annual maintenance check.

II. Current Actions

This notice requests Office of Management and Budget (OMB) approval of the annual inspection certification requirements contained in 29 CFR 1910.157(e)(3) -- Portable Fire Extinguishers.

Type of Review: Existing Collection in Use Without an OMB Control Number.

Agency: U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Safety and Health Administration.

Title: Portable Fire Extinguishers (29 CFR 1910.157(e)(3)) -- Annual Maintenance Certification Record.

OMB Number: 1218-.

Agency Number: Docket Number ICR-97-49.

Affected Public: State or local governments; Business or other for- profit.

Number of Respondents: 127,500.

Frequency: Annually.

Average Time per Response: 30 minutes (0.50 hour).

Estimated Total Burden Hours: 63,750.

Total Annualized Capital/Startup Costs: $9,180,000.

Signed at Washington, DC, this 19th day of December 1997.

John F. Martonik,
Acting Director, Directorate of Safety Standards Programs.

[FR Doc. 97-33708 Filed 12-24-97; 8:45 am)