2023-05722. Agency Information Collection Activities; Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request; Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Safety and Health Statistics Cooperative Agreement Application Package

ACTION:

Notice of availability; request for comments.

SUMMARY:

The Department of Labor (DOL) is submitting this Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS)-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 April 20, 2023.

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.

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.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Nicole Bouchet by telephone at 202-693-0213, or by email at [e-mail].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

The Secretary of Labor has delegated to the BLS the authority to collect, compile, and analyze statistical data on work-related injuries and illnesses, as authorized by the Occupational Health Act of 1970 (Pub. L. 91-596). The Cooperative Agreement is designed to allow the BLS to ensure conformance with program objectives. The BLS has full authority over the financial operations of the statistical program. The existing collection of information allows Federal staff to negotiate the Cooperative Agreement with the State Grant Agencies and monitor their financial and programmatic performance and adherence to administrative requirements imposed by the Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards (2 CFR 200) and other grant related regulations. New requirements would only take effect upon OMB approval. BLS is now seeking approval to incorporate changes from the implementation of a new DOL grants management system into the FY2023 Cooperative Agreement. For additional substantive information about this ICR see the related notice published in the Federal Register on November 18, 2020 (85 FR 73514).

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. See5 CFR 1320.5(a) and 1320.6. The current approval is scheduled to expire on June 30, 2024.

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-BLS.

Title of Collection: Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Safety and Health Statistics Cooperative Agreement Application Package.

OMB Control Number: 1220-0149.

Affected Public: State, Local, and Tribal Governments; Private Sector—Businesses or other for-profits.

Total Estimated Number of Respondents: 55.

Total Estimated Number of Responses: 493.

Total Estimated Annual Time Burden: 462 hours.

Total Estimated Annual Other Costs Burden: $0.

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

Nicole Bouchet,

Senior PRA Analyst.