E9-21707. Division of Longshore and Harbor Workers' Compensation; 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 Division of Longshore and Harbor Workers' Compensation is soliciting comments concerning its proposal to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) approval of the Information Collection: Report of Issuance of Policy (LS-570). 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 November 9, 2009.

ADDRESSES:

Mr. Steven D. Lawrence, 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 e-mail).

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Background: The form LS-570 is completed by the insurance carrier and forwarded to the Department of Labor for review. The Longshore and Harbor Workers' Compensation staff review the completed LS-570 to identify those operators who have secured insurance for payment of Longshore benefits as required by 20 CFR 703.116. This feedback will help DOL improve the quality and delivery of compliance assistance tools and services. This generic clearance allows Longshore to gather information from both Federal and non-Federal users.

II. Review Focus: The Department of Labor is particularly interested in comments that:

* 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 is seeking a three-year approval for this new generic information collection.

Type of Review: New collection.

Title: Report of Issuance of Policy (LS-570).

Agency: Division of Longshore and Harbor Workers' Compensation.

OMB Number: 1215-0NEW.

Affected Public: Private Sector Businesses or other for-profits.

Total Respondents: 358.

Total Annual Responses: 100,000.

Estimated Total Burden Hours: 8,333.

Estimated Time per Response: 5 minutes.

Frequency: Annually.

Total Burden Cost (capital/startup): $752.

Total Burden Cost (operating/maintenance): $752.

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: September 3, 2009.

Steven D. Lawrence,

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