04-11536. Proposed Data Collections Submitted for Public Comment and Recommendations

In compliance with the requirement of section 3506(c)(2)(A) of the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 for opportunity for public comment on proposed data collection projects, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) will publish periodic summaries of proposed projects. To request more information on the proposed projects or to obtain a copy of the data collection plans and instruments, call the CDC Reports Clearance Officer on [phone].

Comments are invited on: (a) Whether the proposed collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the agency, including whether the information shall have practical utility; (b) the accuracy of the agency's estimate of the burden of the proposed collection of information; (c) ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected; and (d) ways to minimize the burden of the collection of information on respondents, including through the use of automated collection techniques or other forms of information technology. Send comments to Sandra Gambescia, CDC Assistant Reports Clearance Officer, 1600 Clifton Road, MS-E11, Atlanta, GA 30333 or send an e-mail to [e-mail]. Written comments should be received within 60 days of this notice.

Proposed Project

Respiratory Protective Devices, 42 CFR 84 Regulation, OMB No. 0920-0109—Extension—National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

The regulatory authority for the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) certification program for respiratory protective devices is found in the Mine Safety and Health Amendments Act of 1977 (30 U.S.C. 577a, 651 et seq., and 657(g)) and the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970 (30 U.S.C. 3, 5, 7, 811, 842(h), 844). These regulations have as their basis the performance tests and criteria for approval of respirators used by millions of American construction workers, miners, painters, asbestos removal workers, fabric mill workers, and fire fighters. In addition to benefiting industrial workers, the improved testing requirements also benefit health care workers implementing the current CDC Guidelines for Preventing the Transmission of Tuberculosis. Regulations of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) also require the use of NIOSH-approved respirators. Recent developments in this program have provided approvals for self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) for use by fire fighters and other first responders to potential terrorist attacks. NIOSH, in accordance with implementing regulations 42 CFR 84: (1) Issues certificates of approval for respirators which have met improved construction, performance, and protection requirements; (2) establishes procedures and requirements to be met in filing applications for approval; (3) specifies minimum requirements and methods to be employed by NIOSH and by applicants in conducting inspections, examinations, and tests to determine effectiveness of respirators; (4) establishes a schedule of fees to be charged applicants for testing and certification; and (5) establishes approval labeling requirements. Cost to respondents will be determined from fee schedules.

Section	Data Type	No. of respondents	No. of responses per respondent	Average burden per response (in hrs.)	Total burden per hours
84.11	Applications	43	10	63.56	27331
84.33	Labeling	43	10	1.54	662
84.35	Modifications	43	10	79.45	34164
84.41	Reporting	43	10	22.70	9761
84.43	Record Keeping	43	10	56.75	24403
84.257	Labeling	43	10	1.50	645
84.1103	Labeling	43	10	1.50	645
Total					97611

Dated: May 17, 2004.

Alvin Hall,

Director, Management Analysis and Services Office, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.