01-16492. 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 Invited

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 Anne O'Connor, CDC Assistant Reports Clearance Officer, 1600 Clifton Road, MS-D24, Atlanta, GA 30333. Written comments should be received within 60 days of this notice.

Proposed Project:

Contents of a Request for a Health Hazard Evaluation (OMB No. 0920-0102)—EXTENSION—The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The mission of the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health is to promote safety and health at work for all people through research and prevention.

Each year, in accordance with its mandates under the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970 and the Federal Mine Safety and Health Act of 1977, the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) responds to approximately 450 requests for health hazard evaluations to identify potential chemical, biological or physical hazards at the workplace. A printed NIOSH form is available for requesting these health hazard evaluations. The form is also available on the Internet and differs from the printed version only in format and in the fact that it uses an Internet address to which recipients can submit the form to NIOSH. Both the printed and Internet versions of the form provide the mechanism for employees, employers, and other authorized representatives to supply the information required by the regulations which govern the NIOSH health hazard evaluation program (42 CFR 85.3-1). In general, if employees are submitting the form it must contain the signatures of three or more current employees. However, regulations allow a single signature if the requestor is one of three (3) or fewer employees in the process, operation, or job of concern. It takes approximately six (6) NIOSH employees about five (5) minutes to evaluate the submitted form. The information provided is used by NIOSH to determine whether there is reasonable cause to justify conducting an investigation. The purpose of investigations conducted in the health hazard evaluation program is to help employers and employees identify and eliminate occupational health hazards. Without the information requested on this form, NIOSH would be unable to perform its legislated function of conducting health hazard evaluations in workplaces. There are no costs to respondents to obtain this form or to request a health hazard evaluation.

Respondents	No. of respondents	No. of responses per respondent	Avg. burden per response (in hrs.)	Total burden hours
Employees and representatives	290	1	12/60	58
Employers	160	1	12/60	32
Total	450			90

Dated: June 22, 2001.

Nancy Cheal,

Acting Associate Director for Policy, Planning and Evaluation, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.