04-7743. Proposed Collection; Comment Request

ACTION:

Notice.

SUMMARY:

The Department of Labor, as part of its continuing effort to reduce paperwork and respondent burden, conducts a preclearance 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) [44 U.S.C. 3506(c)(2)(A)]. 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 Employment Standards Administration is soliciting comments concerning the proposed collection: Employer's First Report of Injury or Occupational Disease (LS-202), Physician's Report of Impairment of Vision (LS-205) and Employer's Supplementary Report of Accident or Occupational Illness (LS-210). A copy of the proposed information collection request can be obtained by contacting the office listed below in the addresses section of this Notice.

DATES:

Written comments must be submitted to the office listed in the addresses section below on or before June 7, 2004.

ADDRESSES:

Ms. Hazel M. Bell, U.S. Department of Labor, 200 Constitution Ave., NW., Room S-3201, Washington, DC 20210, telephone [phone], fax [phone], E-mail [e-mail]. Please use only one method of transmission for comments (mail, fax, or Email).

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION

I. Background

The Longshore and Harbor Workers' Compensation Act provides benefits to workers injured in maritime employment on the navigable waters of the United States and adjoining area customarily used by an employee in loading, unloading, repairing, or building a vessel. The LS-202 is used by employers initially to report injuries that have occurred which are covered under the Longshore Act and its related statutes. The LS-210 is used to report additional periods of lost time from work. The LS-205 is a medical report based on a comprehensive examination of visual impairment. This information collection is currently approved for use through October 31, 2004.

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 ensure that employers are complying with the reporting requirements of the Act and to ensure that injured claimants receive all compensation benefits to which they are entitled.

Type of Review: Extension.

Agency: Employment Standards Administration.

Title: Employer's First Report of Injury or Occupational Disease (LS-202); Physician's Report on Impairment of Vision (LS-205); Employer's Supplementary Report of Accident or Occupational Illness (LS-210).

OMB Number: 1215-0031.

Agency Number: LS-202, LS-205, LS-210.

Affected Public: Individuals or households; Business or other for-profit, Not-for-profit institutions.

Total Respondents: 21,060.

Total Annual responses: 23,220.

Form	Total respondents:	Average time per response	Burden hours
LS-202	21,000	15 minutes	5,250
LS-205	60	45 minutes	45
LS-210	2,160	15 minutes	540
Total	23,220		5,835

Estimated Total Burden Hours: 5,835.

Frequency: On occasion.

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

Total Burden Cost (operating/maintenance): $10,333.00.

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: April 1, 2004.

Sue Blumenthal,

Acting Chief, Branch of Management Review and Internal Control, Division of Financial Management, Office of Management, Administration and Planning, Employment Standards Administration.