[Federal Register Volume 65, Number 125 (Wednesday, June 28, 2000)]
[Notices]
[Page 39944]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 00-16345]



[[Page 39944]]

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DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Occupational Safety and Health Administration

[Docket No. ICR 1218-0209 2000]


Proposed Information Collection Request Submitted for Public 
Comment and Recommendations; OSHA Data Initiative (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 (OSHA) 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 addresses section 
of this notice.

DATES:  Written comments must be submitted to the office listed in the 
addressee section below on or before August 28, 2000.
    The Department of Labor is particularly interested in comments 
which:
    <bullet> 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;
    <bullet> 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;
    <bullet> 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 1218-0209 2000, U.S. Department of Labor, Room N-2625, 200 
Constitution Ave., NW, Washington, D.C. 20210, telephone (202) 693-
2350. Written comments limited to 10 pages or less in length may be 
transmitted by facsimile to (202) 693-1648.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:  Dave Schmidt, Directorate of 
Information Technology, Office of Statistics, Occupational Safety and 
Health Administration, U.S. Department of Labor, Room N3644, 200 
Constitution Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20210, telephone: (202) 693-
1886. 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 
(202) 693-1886 or Todd Owen at (202) 693-2444. For electronic copies of 
the OSHA Data Initiative information collection request, contact OSHA's 
WebPage on the Internet at http://www.osha-slc.gov/OCIS/Infor_coll.html.

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 and from some 
state and local government agencies. OSHA will collect calendar year 
2000 data from up to 136,000 employers already required to create and 
maintain records pursuant to 29 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 Initiative.
    OMB Number: 1218-0209.
    Agency Number: ICR 1218-0209 2000.
    Affected Public: Business or other for-profit, farms, and State, 
Local or Tribal Government.
    Cite/Reference/Form/etc: OSHA Form 196A and OSHA Form 196B.
    Total Respondents: 136,000.
    Frequency: Annually.
    Average Time per Response: 30 minutes.
    Estimated Total Burden Hours: 63,000 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 22, 2000.
Charles N. Jeffress,
Assistant Secretary for Occupational Safety and Health.
[FR Doc. 00-16345 Filed 6-27-00; 8:45 am]
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