[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 216 (Friday, November 7, 1997)]
[Notices]
[Pages 60284-60285]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-29487]


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DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Occupational Safety and Health Administration
[Docket No. ICR-97-47]


Agency Information Collection Activities; Proposed Collection; 
Comment Request; Procedures for Handling of Discrimination Complaints 
Under Federal Employee Protection Statutes (29 CFR 24)

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 (PRA 95) (44 U.S.C. 3506(c)(2)(A)). The 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 impact of collection 
requirements on respondents can be properly assessed. Currently, the 
Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) is soliciting 
comments concerning the proposed implementation of the information 
collection requirements contained in 29 CFR 24. The Agency is 
particularly interested in comments which:
    <bullet> Evaluate whether the proposed collection of the Agency is 
necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the Agency, 
including whether the information will have particular 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
    <bullet> 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.

DATES: Written comments are to be submitted on or before January 6, 
1998.

ADDRESSES: Comments are to be submitted to the Docket Office, Docket 
No. ICR-97-47, Occupational Safety and Health Administration, U.S. 
Department of Labor, Room N-2625, 200 Constitution Avenue, NW., 
Washington, DC 20210. Telephone: (202) 219-7894. Written comments 
limited to 10 pages or less may also be transmitted by facsimile to 
(202) 219-5046.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Rich Weitzman, Office of Investigative Assistance, Occupational Safety 
and Health Administration, U.S. Department of Labor, Room N-3468, 200 
Constitution Avenue, NW., Washington, DC 20210, telephone: (202)219-
8095. 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 (202) 219-7894, or 
Barbara Bielaski at (202) 219-8076, ext. 142. For electronic copies of 
the Information Collection Request on the certification provisions of 
Procedures for the Handling of Discrimination Complaints Under Federal 
Employee Protection Statutes, contact OSHA's Webpage on the Internet at 
http://www.osha.gov/ and click on ``standards.''

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Background

    29 CFR 24 establishes procedures for the expeditious handling of 
complaints pursuant to the following statutes: Clean Air Act, 42 U.S.C. 
7622; Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability 
Act, 42 U.S.C. 9610; Energy Reorganization Act of 1974, 42 U.S.C. 5851; 
Federal Water Pollution Control Act, 33 U.S.C. 1367; Safe Drinking 
Water Act, 42 U.S.C. 300j-9(I), Solid Waste Disposal Act, 42 U.S.C. 
6971; and Toxic Substances Control Act, 15 U.S.C. 2622. These 
complaints are filed by employees, or persons acting on their behalf, 
of alleged discriminatory action by employers.
    The employee records required are necessary to conduct 
discrimination investigations under 29 CFR 24. They are intended to 
gather evidence to establish whether or not an employee has suffered 
discrimination reprisal for engaging in activity protected under 
Section 322 of the Clean Air Act; Section 110 of the Comprehensive 
Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act; Section 210 of 
the Energy Reorganization Act; Section 507 of the Federal Water 
Pollution Control Act; Section 1550(I) of the Safe Drinking Water Act; 
Section 7001 of the Solid Waste Disposal Act; and Section 23 of the 
toxic Substances Control Act.

II Current Actions

    This notice requests an extension of the current Office of 
Management and Budget (OMB) approval of the procedures for the handling 
of discrimination complaints under Federal employee protection statutes 
(currently approved under OMB Control No. 1215-0183.)

III OSHA's Estimate of a Burden

    OSHA estimates that there will be 200 complaints filed annually. On 
average, each complaint will require one hour to supply the 
documentation needed to conduct the investigation.
    Type of Review: New.
    Agency: U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Safety and Health 
Administration.
    Title: Procedures for the Handling of Discrimination Complaints 
Under Federal Employee Protection Statutes.
    OMB Number: 1218-Onew (formerly 1215-0183).
    Agency Number: Docket Number ICR-97-47.

[[Page 60285]]

    Affected public: All public and private sector employers.
    Frequency: Not Applicable.
    Number of Respondents: 100.
    Average Time Per Response: 1 hour.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 200.
    Total Annualized Capital/Startup Costs: $0.

    Signed at Washington, DC, this 4th day of November 1997.
John B. Miles, Jr.,
Director, Directorate of Compliance Programs.
[FR Doc. 97-29487 Filed 11-6-97; 8:45 am]
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