DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Occupational Safety and Health Administration

[Docket No. ICR-98-19]

Agency Information Collection Activities; Proposed Collection; Comment Request; Commercial Diving Operations (29 CFR Part 1910, Subpart T)

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 the standard on Commercial Diving Operations (29 CFR part 1910, subpart T). 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 June 19, 1998.

ADDRESSES: Comments are to be submitted to the Docket Office, Docket No. ICR-98-19, 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: 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, DC 20210, telephone: (202) 219-8061. A copy of the referenced information collection request is available for inspection and copying in the Docket Office and will be mailed to persons who request copies by telephoning Theda Kenney at (202) 219-8061, extension 100, or Barbara Bielaski at (202) 219-8076, extension 142. For electronic copies of the Information Collection Request on Commercial Diving Operations, contact OSHA's WebPage on the Internet at http://www.osha.gov.

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 statute 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.

In 29 CFR part 1910, Commercial Diving Operations, the information to be collected is designed to minimize the possibility of a commercial diver being injured or killed (e.g., by gas embolism, decompression sickness) due to poor planning. Without the records required in the standard, necessary safeguards that have proven extremely effective in protecting commercial divers against inherent and obvious hazards underwater would be removed and, as a result, the fatality and injury/ illness rate for this industry could rise. Consequences of accidents in diving can be severe due to the environment in which divers work.

II. Current Actions

This notice requests Office of Management and Budget (OMB) approval of the information collection requirements contained in the Commercial Diving Operations standard.

Type of Review: Extension of a Currently Approved Collection.

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

Title: Commercial Diving Operations (29 CFR part 1910, Subpart T).

OMB Number: 1218-0069.

Agency Number: Docket Number ICR-98-19.

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

Number of Respondents: 3,000.

Frequency: On Occasion.

Average Time per Response: 1 hour.

Estimated Total Burden Hours: 91,152.

Total Annualized Capital/Startup Costs: $0.

Signed at Washington, DC, this 10th day of April 1998.

Charles N. Jeffress,
Assistant Secretary, Occupational Safety and Health Administration.

[FR Doc. 98-10285 Filed 4-17-98; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 4510-26-M