[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 157 (Tuesday, August 14, 2018)]
[Notices]
[Pages 40212-40214]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2018-17424]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Food Safety and Inspection Service

[Docket No. FSIS-2018-0026]


Notice of Request To Renew an Approved Information Collection 
(Certificates of Medical Examination)

AGENCY: Food Safety and Inspection Service, USDA.

ACTION: Notice and request for comments.

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SUMMARY: In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 and 
Office of Management and Budget (OMB) regulations, the Food Safety and 
Inspection Service (FSIS) is announcing its intention to renew the 
approved information collection regarding certificates of medical 
examination. The approval for this information collection will expire 
on December 31, 2018. FSIS is making no changes to the approved 
collection.

[[Page 40213]]


DATES: Submit comments on or before October 15, 2018.

ADDRESSES: FSIS invites interested persons to submit comments on this 
Federal Register notice. Comments may be submitted by one of the 
following methods:
    <bullet> Federal eRulemaking Portal: This website provides the 
ability to type short comments directly into the comment field on this 
web page or attach a file for lengthier comments. Go to http://www.regulations.gov. Follow the on-line instructions at that site for 
submitting comments.
    <bullet> Mail, including CD-ROMs, etc.: Send to Docket Clerk, U.S. 
Department of Agriculture, Food Safety and Inspection Service, 1400 
Independence Avenue SW, Mailstop 3758, Room 6065, Washington, DC 20250-
3700.
    <bullet> Hand- or courier-delivered submittals: Deliver to 1400 
Independence Avenue SW, Room 6065, Washington, DC 20250-3700.
    Instructions: All items submitted by mail or electronic mail must 
include the Agency name and docket number FSIS-2018-0026. Comments 
received in response to this docket will be made available for public 
inspection and posted without change, including any personal 
information, to http://www.regulations.gov.
    Docket: For access to background documents or comments received, 
call (202) 720-5627 to schedule a time to visit the FSIS Docket Room at 
1400 Independence Avenue SW, Room 6065, Washington, DC 20250-3700.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Gina Kouba, Office of Policy and 
Program Development, Food Safety and Inspection Service, USDA, 1400 
Independence Avenue SW, Room 6065, South Building, Washington, DC 
20250-3700; (202) 720-5627.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
    Title: Certificates of Medical Examination.
    OMB Control Number: 0583-0167.
    Expiration Date: 12/31/2018.
    Type of Request: Renewal of an approved information collection.
    Abstract: FSIS, by delegation (7 CFR 2.18, 2.53), exercises the 
functions of the Secretary as specified in the Federal Meat Inspection 
Act (FMIA) (21 U.S.C. 601, et seq.), the Poultry Products Inspection 
Act (PPIA) (21 U.S.C. 451, et seq.), and the Egg Products Inspection 
Act (EPIA) (21 U.S.C. 1031, et seq.). These statutes mandate that FSIS 
protect the public by verifying that meat, poultry, and egg products 
are safe, wholesome, unadulterated, and properly labeled and packaged.
    Annually, the occupants of in-plant positions in FSIS inspect more 
than 8 billion birds and more than 130 million head of livestock. 
Veterinary Medical Officers, Food Inspectors, and Consumer Safety 
Inspectors check animals before and after slaughter, preventing 
diseased animals from entering the food supply, and examining carcasses 
for visible defects that can affect safety and quality. Consumer Safety 
Inspectors work in processed product inspection, assuring products are 
processed under sanitary conditions, not adulterated, and truthfully 
labeled. Inspection activities of Veterinary Medical Officers, Food 
Inspectors, and Consumer Safety Inspectors are carried out in over 
6,000 privately owned establishments nationwide.
    The duties performed by in-plant inspection personnel can be 
arduous, requiring standing and walking eight to nine hours daily, 
often on slippery and hazardous surfaces. Work is typically performed 
in high humidity and, depending on weather conditions, warm or cold 
temperatures. The work involves frequent contact with animal tissues, 
animal body fluids, chemical sanitation rinses and water.
    FSIS is requesting a renewal of the approved information collection 
regarding certificates of medical examination so that FSIS can 
determine whether or not an applicant for a Food Inspector, Consumer 
Safety Inspector, or Veterinary Medical Officer in-plant position meets 
the Office of Personnel Management (OPM)-approved medical qualification 
standards for the position. The certificates of medical examination 
ensure accurate collection of the required data. The OPM-approved 
medical qualification standards apply only to positions in FSIS, not 
positions in other Federal agencies. FSIS is making no changes to the 
approved collection. The approval for this information collection will 
expire on December 31, 2018.
    When requesting that applicants for the positions listed above 
undergo the medical examination, a representative of FSIS notifies the 
applicants in writing of the reasons for the examination, the process, 
and the consequences of the failure to report for an examination or 
provide medical documentation. Any physical condition that would hinder 
an individual's full, efficient, and safe performance of his or her 
duties is considered disqualifying for employment, except when 
convincing evidence is presented that the individual can perform the 
essential functions of the job efficiently and without hazard.
    In accordance with the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, and the 
Americans with Disabilities Act Amendments Act of 2008, FSIS will make 
reasonable accommodations for the known physical or mental limitations 
of qualified individuals with disabilities unless the accommodation 
would impose an undue hardship on the operation of FSIS.
    FSIS has made the following estimates on the basis of an 
information collection assessment.
    Estimate of Burden: FSIS estimates that it will take each 
respondent 90 minutes to complete the form.
    Respondents: FSIS Applicants for Food Inspector, Consumer Safety 
Inspector, and Veterinary Medical Officer in-plant positions.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 500 respondents.
    Estimated Number of Responses per Respondent: 1.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 750 hours.
    Copies of this information collection assessment can be obtained 
from Gina Kouba, Office of Policy and Program Development, Food Safety 
and Inspection Service, USDA, 1400 Independence Avenue SW, Room 6065, 
South Building, Washington, DC 20250-3700; (202) 720-5627.
    Comments are invited on: (a) Whether the proposed collection of 
information is necessary for the proper performance of FSIS's 
functions, including whether the information will have practical 
utility; (b) the accuracy of FSIS's estimate of the burden of the 
proposed collection of information, including the validity of the 
method and assumptions used; (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, including through 
the use of appropriate automated, electronic, mechanical, or other 
technological collection techniques, or other forms of information 
technology. Comments may be sent to both FSIS, at the addresses 
provided above, and the Desk Officer for Agriculture, Office of 
Information and Regulatory Affairs, Office of Management and Budget, 
Washington, DC 20253.
    Responses to this notice will be summarized and included in the 
request for OMB approval. All comments will also become a matter of 
public record.

Additional Public Notification

    Public awareness of all segments of rulemaking and policy 
development is important. Consequently, FSIS will announce this Federal 
Register publication on-line through the FSIS web page located at: 
http://www.fsis.usda.gov/federal-register.

[[Page 40214]]

    FSIS also will make copies of this publication available through 
the FSIS Constituent Update, which is used to provide information 
regarding FSIS policies, procedures, regulations, Federal Register 
notices, FSIS public meetings, and other types of information that 
could affect or would be of interest to our constituents and 
stakeholders. The Update is available on the FSIS web page. Through the 
web page, FSIS is able to provide information to a much broader, more 
diverse audience. In addition, FSIS offers an email subscription 
service which provides automatic and customized access to selected food 
safety news and information. This service is available at: http://www.fsis.usda.gov/subscribe. Options range from recalls to export 
information, regulations, directives, and notices. Customers can add or 
delete subscriptions themselves, and have the option to password 
protect their accounts.

USDA Non-Discrimination Statement

    No agency, officer, or employee of the USDA shall, on the grounds 
of race, color, national origin, religion, sex, gender identity, sexual 
orientation, disability, age, marital status, family/parental status, 
income derived from a public assistance program, or political beliefs, 
exclude from participation in, deny the benefits of, or subject to 
discrimination any person in the United States under any program or 
activity conducted by the USDA.

How To File a Complaint of Discrimination

    To file a complaint of discrimination, complete the USDA Program 
Discrimination Complaint Form, which may be accessed online at http://www.ocio.usda.gov/sites/default/files/docs/2012/Complain_combined_6_8_12.pdf, or write a letter signed by you or your 
authorized representative.
    Send your completed complaint form or letter to USDA by mail, fax, 
or email: Mail: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Director, Office of 
Adjudication, 1400 Independence Avenue SW, Washington, DC 20250-9410, 
Fax: (202) 690-7442, Email: <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#cbbbb9a4acb9aaa6e5a2a5bfaaa0ae8bbeb8afaae5aca4bd"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="9bebe9f4fce9faf6b5f2f5effaf0fedbeee8fffab5fcf4ed">[email protected]</span></a>.
    Persons with disabilities who require alternative means for 
communication (Braille, large print, audiotape, etc.), should contact 
USDA's TARGET Center at (202) 720-2600 (voice and TDD).

Paul Kiecker,
Acting Administrator.
[FR Doc. 2018-17424 Filed 8-13-18; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 3410-DM-P


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