DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Occupational Safety and Health Administration

[Docket No. ICR-97-48]

Agency Information Collection Activities; Proposed Collection; Comment Request; Notice of Alleged Safety and Health Hazards, OSHA-7 Form

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 reinstatement of the information collection requirement contained in 29 CFR 1903.11. 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 April 6, 1998.

ADDRESSEE: Comments are to be submitted to the Docket Office, Docket No. ICR-97-48, Occupational Safety and Health Administration, U.S. Department of Labor, Room N-2625, 200 Constitution Avenue, NW., Washington, DC 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: Renee Carter, Directorate of Compliance Programs, Occupational Safety and Health Administration, U.S. Department of Labor, Room N-3107, 200 Constitution Avenue, NW., Washington, DC 20210, telephone: (202) 219- 8041. 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 Renee Carter at (202) 219-8041, x109, or Barbara Bielaski at (202) 219-8076, ext. 142.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Background

The Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970 (OSH 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 statute specifically authorizes information collection by employers as necessary or appropriate for the enhancement of the OSH Act or for developing information regarding the causes and prevention of occupational injuries, illnesses, and accidents.

The OSHA-7 Form can be used by an employee or employee representative to notify OSHA if he or she believes that there is a violation of a safety or health standard or if imminent danger to an employee exists. OSHA uses the information on the form to determine if there are reasonable grounds to believe that a violation or danger exists and to determine appropriate agency action. The form is also used to provide an employer with a copy of any complaints as required by the OSH Act, and to provide local magistrates with evidence of just cause for obtaining a warrant for those cases in which an employer has not allowed OSHA to investigate a complaint.

II. Current Actions

This notice requests a reinstatement of the current Office of Management and Budget (OMB) approval of the Notice of Alleged Safety and Health Hazards, OSHA-7 Form (formerly OMB Number 1218-0064).

Type of Review: Reinstatement.

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

Title Notice of Alleged Safety and Health Hazards, OSHA-7 Form.

OMB Number: 1218-0NEW (formerly 1218-0064).

Agency Number: Docket Number ICR-97-48.

Affected Public: Individuals or households.

Frequency: On occasion.

Average Time Per Response: 25 minutes (.42 hour) for complaints received via fax or letter. 15 minutes (.25 hour) for complaints received orally via telephone.

Estimated Total Burden Hours: 8,155.

Total Annualized Capital/Startup Costs: $0.

Signed at Washington, DC, this 27th day of January 1998.

John B. Miles, Jr.,
Director, Directorate of Compliance Programs.

[FR Doc. 98-2611 Filed 2-2-98; 8:45 am)