01-31816. Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request

December 14, 2001.

The Department Labor (DOL) has submitted the following public information collection requests (ICRs) to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for review and approval in accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (Pub. L. 104-13, 44 U.S.C. Chapter 35). A copy of each individual ICR, with applicable supporting documentation, may be obtained by calling the Department of Labor. To obtain documentation contact Marlene Howze at ([phone] or Email [e-mail].

Comments should be sent to Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs, Attn: OMB Desk Officer for ESA, Office of Management and Budget, Room 10235, Washington, DC 20503 ([phone]), within 30 days from the date of this publication in the Federal Register.

The OMB 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 submission of responses.

Type of Review: Extension of a currently approved collection.

Agency: Employment Standards Administration (ESA).

Title: Notice of Controversion of Right to Compensation.

OMB Number: 1215-0023.

Affected Public: Business or other for-profit.

Frequency: On Occasion.

Number of Respondents: 900.

Number of Annual Response: 18,900.

Estimated Time Per Response: 15 minutes.

Total Burden Hours: 4,725.

Total Annualized Capital/Startup Costs: $0.

Total Annual Costs (operating/maintaining systems or purchasing services): $7,418.25.

Descripton: The Office of Workers' Compensation Programs (OWCP) administers the Longshore and Harbor Workers' Compensation Act. This Act provides benefits to workers injured in maritime employment on the navigable waters of the United States or in an adjoining area customarily used by an employer in loading, unloading, repairing, or building a vessel. Pursuant to section 14(d) of the Act, and 20 CFR 702.251, if an employer controverts the right to compensation, he shall file with the district director in the affected compensation district on or before the fourteenth day after he has knowledge of the alleged injury or death, a notice, in accordance with a form prescribed by the Secretary, stating that the right to compensation is controverted.

Form LS-207 is used by insurance carriers and self-insured employers to controvert claims under the act. OWCP district offices use this information to determine the basis for not paying benefits in a case. It also informs the injured claimant of the reason(s) for not paying compensation benefits. If the information were not collected, our district offices and claimants would have no way of knowing the reason(s) for controverting the right to compensation.

Ira L. Mills,

Departmental Clearance Officer.