05-1577. Federal Acquisition Regulation; Information Collection; Accident Prevention Plans and Recordkeeping

AGENCIES:

Department of Defense (DOD), General Services Administration (GSA), and National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA).

ACTION:

Notice of request for an extension to an existing OMB clearance.

SUMMARY:

Under the provisions of the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. Chapter 35), the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) Secretariat will be submitting to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) a request to review and approve an extension of a currently approved information collection requirement concerning accident prevention plans and recordkeeping. The clearance currently expires May 31, 2005.

Public comments are particularly invited on: Whether this collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of functions of the FAR, and whether it will have practical utility; whether our estimate of the public burden of this collection of information is accurate, and based on valid assumptions and methodology; ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected; and ways in which we can minimize the burden of the collection of information on those who are to respond, through the use of appropriate technological collection techniques or other forms of information technology.

DATES:

Submit comments on or before March 29, 2005.

ADDRESSES:

Submit comments regarding this burden estimate or any other aspect of this collection of information, including suggestions for reducing this burden to the General Services Administration, FAR Secretariat (VIR), 1800 F Street, NW, Room 4035, Washington, DC 20405. Please cite OMB Control No.9000-0060, accident prevention plans and recordkeeping, in all correspondence.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT

Cecelia Davis, Contract Policy Division, GSA [phone].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

A. Purpose

The FAR clause at 48 CFR 52.236-13 Accident Prevention requires Federal construction contractors to keep records of accidents incident to work performed under the contract that result in death, traumatic injury, occupational disease or damage to property, materials, supplies or equipment. Records of personal inquiries are required by OSHA (OMB Control No. 1220-0029). The FAR requires records of damage to property, materials, supplies or equipment to provide background information when claims are brought against the Government.

If the contract involves work of a long duration, the contractor must submit a written proposal for implementation of the clause. The Accident Prevention Plan, for projects that are hazardous or of long duration, is analyzed by the contracting officer along with the agency safety representatives to determine if the proposed plan will meet the requirement of the safety regulations and applicable statutes. The records maintained by the contractor are used to evaluate compliance and may be used in workmen's compensation cases. The Accident Prevention Plan is placed in the contract file for reference.

B. Annual Reporting Burden

Respondents: 2,106.

Responses Per Respondent: 2.

Annual Responses: 4,212.

Hours Per Response: 2.

Total Burden Hours: 8,424.

Obtaining Copies of Proposals: Requesters may obtain a copy of the information collection documents from the General Services Administration, FAR Secretariat (VIR), Room 4035, 1800 F Street, NW, Washington, DC 20405, telephone [phone]. Please cite OMB Control No. 9000-0060, Accident Prevention Plans and Recordkeeping, in all correspondence.

Dated: January 19, 2005.

Julia B. Wise

Acting Director, Contract Policy Division.