2018-23674. Proposed Extension of Existing Collection; Comment Request

ACTION:

Notice.

SUMMARY:

The Department of Labor, as part of its continuing effort to reduce paperwork and respondent burden, conducts a pre-clearance 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). 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 Office of Workers' Compensation (OWCP) is soliciting comments concerning the proposed collection: Waiver of Service by Registered or Certified Mail for Employers and/or Insurance Carriers (LS-801) and Waiver of Service by Registered or Certified Mail for Claimants and Authorized Representatives (LS-802). A copy of the proposed information collection request can be obtained by contacting the office listed below in the address section of this Notice.

DATES:

Written comments must be submitted to the office listed in the addresses section below on or before December 31, 2018.

ADDRESSES:

You may submit comments by mail, delivery service, or by hand to Ms. Yoon Ferguson, U.S. Department of Labor, 200 Constitution Ave. NW, Room S-3323, Washington, DC 20210; by fax [phone]; or email to [e-mail]. Please use only one method of transmission for comments (mail/delivery, fax or email). Please note that comments submitted after the comment period will not be considered.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Background

The Office of Workers' Compensation Programs (OWCP) administers the Longshore and Harbor Workers' Compensation Act (LHWCA). The Act provides benefits to workers' injured in maritime employment on the navigable waters of the United States or in an adjoining area customarily used by an employer in loading, unloading, repairing, or building a vessel. In addition, several acts extend the Longshore Act's coverage to certain other employees.

The Longshore and Harbor Workers' Compensation Act (LHWCA), at 33 U.S.C. 919(e), requires that any order rejecting or making an LHWCA award (a compensation order) be filed in the appropriate district director's office of the Office of Workers' Compensation Programs (OWCP), and that copies be sent by registered or certified mail to the claimant and the employer. The implementing regulations at 20 CFR 702.349(b) allow parties and their representatives to waive certified mail service and consent to electronic service instead. The compensation order notifies Employers/Carriers that payment of LHWCA compensation is due within 10 days of filing. If compensation is not paid within that time frame, an additional 20% in compensation must be paid [see LHWCA § 914(f)].

The information collected will be used by OWCP to more efficiently serve compensation orders by email instead of by registered or certified mail. Form LS-801 will be completed by the employer/insurance carrier and/or an authorized representative and forwarded to the District Director indicating waiver of service by registered or certified mail and designation of receipt by email instead. The LS-802 will be completed by the claimants and/or an authorized representative and forwarded to the District Director indicating waiver of service by registered or certified mail and designation of receipt by email instead. This information collection is currently approved for use through February 28, 2019.

II. Review Focus

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.

III. Current Actions

The Department of Labor seeks the extension of approval of this information collection in order to carry out its responsibility to meet the statutory requirements to provide compensation or death benefits under the Act to workers and survivors covered by the Act.

Agency: Office of Workers' Compensation Programs.

Type of Review: Extension.

Title: Request for Electronic Service of Orders—Waiver of Certified Mail Requirements.

OMB Number: 1240-0053.

Agency Number: LS-801 and LS-802.

Affected Public: Claimants, employers, large insurance companies, and representatives.

Total Respondents: 9,240.

Total Annual Responses: 9,240.

Estimated Total Burden Hours: 770.

Estimated Time per Response: 5 minutes.

Frequency: On occasion.

Total Burden Cost (capital/startup): $0.

Total Burden Cost (operating/maintenance): $0.

Comments submitted in response to this notice 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: October 25, 2018.

Yoon Ferguson,

Agency Clearance Officer, Office of Workers' Compensation Programs, US Department of Labor.