DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Occupational Safety and Health Administration

[Docket No. ICR-98-22]

Proposed Information Collection Request Submitted for Public Comment and Recommendations; OSHA Data Collection System (1218-0209)

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 OSHA Data Collection System. A copy of the proposed information collection request (ICR) can be obtained by contacting the office listed below in the addressee section of this notice.

DATES: Written comments must be submitted to the office listed in the addressee section below on or before July 20, 1998. 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 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.

ADDRESSES: Comments are to be submitted to the Docket Office, Docket No. ICR 98-22, 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 less in length may also be transmitted by facsimile to (202) 219-5046.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Dave Schmidt, Office of Statistics, Occupational Safety and Health Administration, U.S. Department of Labor, Room N3647, 200 Constitution Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20210, telephone: (202) 219-6463. 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 Dave Schmidt at (202) 219- 6463 or Barbara Bielaski at (202) 219-8076. For electronic copies of the OSHA Data Collection Initiative Request, contact OSHA's WebPage on the Internet at http://www.osha.gov/.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Background

To meet many of OSHA's program needs, OSHA is proposing to continue its data initiative to collect occupational injury and illness data and information on number of workers employed and number of hours worked from establishments in portions of the private sector. OSHA will collect 1998 data from 80,000 employers required to create and maintain records pursuant to CFR part 1904. These data will allow OSHA to calculate occupational injury and illness rates and to focus its efforts on individual workplaces with ongoing serious safety and health problems. Successful implementation of the data collection initiative is critical to OSHA's reinvention efforts and the data requirements tied to the Government Performance and Results Act (GPRA).

II. Current Actions

This notice requests OMB approval of the paperwork requirements for the OSHA Data Collection System. Approval is necessary to ensure that the Agency continues to obtain establishment data necessary to carry on with the development and expansion of the new OSHA. This will allow the Agency to deal with a larger number of employers without massive increases in resources, will reduce intrusive interventions in workplaces that are relatively safe, and will lead to improved workplace safety and health for America's workers. In addition, OSHA will to be able to proceed with its GPRA requirements to monitor the results of Agency activities, quantify and evaluate the successes and failure of its various programs based on program results, identify the most efficient and effective program mix, and promote the development of programs and policies based on outcome data.

Type of Review Extension of currently approved collection.

Agency Occupational Safety and Health Administration.

Title OSHA Data Collection System.

OMB Number 1218-0209.

Agency Number ICR-98-22.

Affected Public Business or other for-profit and State, Local or Tribal Government.

Cite/Reference/Form/etc. OSHA Form 196A and OSHA Form 196B.

Total Respondents 80,000.

Frequency Annually.

Average Time per Response 30 minutes.

Estimated Total Burden Hours 35,000 hours.

Comments submitted in response to this comment request 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: May 12, 1998.

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

[FR Doc. 98-13256 Filed 5-18-98; 8:45 am]

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