[Federal Register Volume 89, Number 219 (Wednesday, November 13, 2024)]
[Notices]
[Page 89658]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2024-26203]


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DEPARTMENT OF LABOR


Agency Information Collection Activities; Submission for OMB 
Review; Comment Request; Methylene Chloride Standard

ACTION: Notice of availability; request for comments.

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SUMMARY: The Department of Labor (DOL) is submitting this Occupational 
Safety & Health Administration (OSHA)-sponsored information collection 
request (ICR) to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for review 
and approval in accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 
(PRA). Public comments on the ICR are invited.

DATES: The OMB will consider all written comments that the agency 
receives on or before December 13, 2024.

ADDRESSES: Written comments and recommendations for the proposed 
information collection should be sent within 30 days of publication of 
this notice to www.reginfo.gov/public/do/PRAMain. Find this particular 
information collection by selecting ``Currently under 30-day Review--
Open for Public Comments'' or by using the search function.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Nicole Bouchet by telephone at 202-
693-0213, or by email at DOL_PRA_PUBLIC@dol.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The standard requires employers to monitor 
employee exposure to methylene chloride (MC), to provide medical 
consultation and examinations, to train employees about the hazards of 
MC in their working areas, and to establish and maintain records of 
employee exposure to MC. These records will be used by employers, 
employees, physicians and the Government to ensure that employees are 
not being harmed by exposure to MC. Appendix B to section 1910.1052 
contains medical surveillance questionnaire forms for workers that may 
be exposed to methylene chloride. Based on the animal evidence and 
three epidemiologic studies previously mentioned, OSHA concludes that 
Methylene Chloride is a suspect human carcinogen. The medical 
surveillance program is designed to observe exposed workers on a 
regular basis. For additional substantive information about this ICR, 
see the related notice published in the Federal Register on August 13, 
2024 (89 FR 65937).
    Comments are invited on: (1) whether the collection of information 
is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the 
Department, including whether the information will have practical 
utility; (2) the accuracy of the agency's estimates of the burden and 
cost of the collection of information, including the validity of the 
methodology and assumptions used; (3) ways to enhance the quality, 
utility and clarity of the information collection; and (4) ways to 
minimize the burden of the collection of information on those who are 
to respond, including the use of automated collection techniques or 
other forms of information technology.
    This information collection is subject to the PRA. A Federal agency 
generally cannot conduct or sponsor a collection of information, and 
the public is generally not required to respond to an information 
collection, unless the OMB approves it and displays a currently valid 
OMB Control Number. In addition, notwithstanding any other provisions 
of law, no person shall generally be subject to penalty for failing to 
comply with a collection of information that does not display a valid 
OMB Control Number. See 5 CFR 1320.5(a) and 1320.6.
    DOL seeks PRA authorization for this information collection for 
three (3) years. OMB authorization for an ICR cannot be for more than 
three (3) years without renewal. The DOL notes that information 
collection requirements submitted to the OMB for existing ICRs receive 
a month-to-month extension while they undergo review.
    Agency: DOL-OSHA.
    Title of Collection: Methylene Chloride Standard.
    OMB Control Number: 1218-0179.
    Affected Public: Private Sector--Businesses or other for-profits.
    Total Estimated Number of Respondents: 89,760.
    Total Estimated Number of Responses: 251,235.
    Total Estimated Annual Time Burden: 65,555 hours.
    Total Estimated Annual Other Costs Burden: $22,271,728.

(Authority: 44 U.S.C. 3507(a)(1)(D))

Nicole Bouchet,
Senior Paperwork Reduction Act Analyst.
[FR Doc. 2024-26203 Filed 11-12-24; 8:45 am]
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