99-16879. Proposed Information Collection Request Submitted for Public Comment and Recommendations; OSHA Data Collection System (1218-0209)

[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 127 (Friday, July 2, 1999)]
[Notices]
[Page 36049]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-16879]


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DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Occupational Safety and Health Administration
[Docket No. ICR-99-11]


Proposed Information Collection Request Submitted for Public 
Comment and Recommendations; OSHA Data Collection System (1218-0209)

ACTION: Notice.

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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) [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 Occupational Safety and Health Administration is 
soliciting comments concerning the proposed extension of the 
information collection request for the OSHA Data Collection System. A 
copy of the proposed information collection request (ICR) can be 
obtained by contacting the office listed below in the addressee section 
of this notice.

DATES: Written comments must be submitted to the office listed in the 
addressee section below on or before August 31, 1999.
    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.

ADDRESSES: Comments are to be submitted to the Docket Office, Docket 
No. ICR 99-11, U.S. Department of Labor, Room N-2625, 200 Constitution 
Ave., NW, Washington, DC 20210, telephone [phone]. Written 
comments limited to 10 pages or less in length may also be transmitted 
by facsimile to [phone].

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Dave Schmidt, Office of Statistics, 
Occupational Safety and Health Administration, U.S. Department of 
Labor, Room N3644, 200 Constitution Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20210, 
telephone: [phone]. Copies of the referenced information 
collection request are available for inspection and copying in the 
Docket Office and will be mailed to persons who request copies by 
telephoning Dave Schmidt at [phone] or Barbara Bielaski at (202) 
693-2444. For electronic copies of the OSHA Data Collection System 
information collection request, contact OSHA's WebPage on the Internet 
at http://www.osha.gov/.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

I. Background

    To meet many of OSHA's program needs, OSHA is proposing to continue 
its data initiative to collect occupational injury and illness data and 
information on number of workers employed and number of hours worked 
from establishments in portions of the private sector. OSHA will 
collect 1999 data from up to 80,000 employers required to create and 
maintain records pursuant to CFR Part 1904. These data will allow OSHA 
to calculate occupational injury and illness rates and to focus its 
efforts on individual workplaces with ongoing serious safety and health 
problems. Successful implementation of the data collection initiative 
is critical to OSHA's reinvention efforts and the data requirements 
tied to the Government Performance and Results Act (GPRA).

II. Current Actions

    This notice requests public comment on an extension of the current 
OMB approval of the paperwork requirements for the OSHA Data Collection 
System.
    Type of Review: Extension of currently approved collection.
    Agency: Occupational Safety and Health Administration.
    Title: OSHA Data Collection System.
    OMB Number: 1218-0209.
    Agency Number: ICR-99-11.
    Affected Public: Business or other for-profit and State, Local or 
Tribal Government.
    Cite/Reference/Form/etc.: OSHA Form 196A and OSHA form 196B.
    Total Respondents: 80,000.
    Frequency: Annually.
    Average Time per Response: 30 minutes.
    Estimated Total Burden Hours: 35,000 hours.
    Comments submitted in response to this comment request 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: June 29, 1999.
Charles N. Jeffress,
Assistant Secretary for Occupational Safety and Health.
[FR Doc. 99-16879 Filed 7-1-99; 8:45 am]
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