DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Occupational Safety and Health Administration

[Docket No. ICR-98-14]

Annual Inspection Record of Cranes or Derricks Used in Construction

AGENCY: Occupational Safety and Health Administration, Labor.

ACTION: Notice of proposed information collection request; opportunity for public comment.

SUMMARY: The Department of Labor, as part of its continuing effort to reduce paperwork and information collection burdens, is conducting a preclearance consultation program to provide the general public and Federal agencies with an opportunity to comment on both current and proposed collections of information in accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. 3506 (c)(2)(A)). This program helps to ensure that reporting burden (time and financial resources) is minimized, collection materials are clearly understood, impact of collection requirements on respondents can be accurately assessed, and requested data can be provided in the desired format. Currently, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) is soliciting comments concerning the proposed extension of the information collection requirements contained in 29 CFR 1926.550(a)(6). That standard requires that written records be kept and maintained of the dates and results of all annual inspections of cranes and derricks used in construction. These inspections must be made by a competent person, or by a government or private agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Labor.

The Agency is particularly interested in comments that:

• Evaluate whether the proposed collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of OSHA's responsibilities, including whether the information will have practical utility;
• Evaluate the accuracy of the Agency's estimates 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 the use of appropriate automated, electronic, mechanical, or other technological collection techniques or other forms of information technology (for example, permitting electronic submissions of responses).

DATES: Written Comments must be submitted on or before August 7, 1998.

ADDRESSES: Comments are to be submitted to the Docket Office, Docket ICR-98-14, U.S. Department of Labor, Room N-2625, 200 Constitution Avenue, NW., Washington, DC 20210, (202) 219-7894. Written comments limited to 10 pages or less may be transmitted by facsimile to (202) 219-5046.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Laurence Davey, Directorate of Construction, Occupational Safety and Health Administration, U.S. Department of Labor, Room N3621, 200 Constitution Avenue, NW., Washington, DC 20210, (202) 219-7207. Copies of the referenced certification record requests are available for inspection and copying in the Docket Office and will be mailed immediately to persons who request copies by telephoning Mr. Davey at (202) 219-7207 or Barbara Bielaski at (202) 219-8076. For electronic copies of the information collection request, contact OSHA's Web Page on Internet at http://www.osha.gov (click on Information Collection Requests).

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) currently has approval from the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for the information collection requirements contained in 29 CFR 1926.550(a)(6). That approval will expire on September 30, 1998, unless OSHA applies for an extension of the OMB approvals. This notice initiates the process for OSHA to request an extension of the current OMB approval.

Paragraph (a)(6) of Sec. 1926.550 requires employers to perform a thorough, annual inspection of cranes and derricks used in construction, and to record and maintain the dates and the results of the inspections. These inspections shall be made by a competent person, or by a government or private agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Labor.

Current Action

This notice requests public comment on OSHA's burden hour estimates prior to OSHA seeking OMB approval of the information collection requirements in 29 CFR 1926.550(a)(6).

Type of Review: Extension of existing approval.

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

Title: Annual Inspection Record of Cranes or Derricks Used in Construction.

OMB Number: 1218-0113.

Agency Number: Docket No. ICR-98-14.

Frequency: Annual.

Affected Public: Business or other for-profit.

Number of Respondents: 32,900.

Estimated Time Per Respondent: 3.5 hours.

Total Burden Hours: 115,167.

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 (record) request; they will also become a matter of public record.

Signed this 2nd day of June 1998.

Charles N. Jeffress,

Assistant Secretary of Labor.

[FR Doc. 98-15168 Filed 6-5-98; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 4510-26-P