[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 45 (Friday, March 7, 1997)]
[Notices]
[Pages 10592-10593]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-5649]


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DEPARTMENT OF LABOR
Occupational Safety and Health Administration


Proposed information Collection Request Submitted for Public 
Comment and Recommendations; Electric Power Generation, Transmission 
and Distribution; Electrical Protective Equipment (1218-0190)

ACTION: None.

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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 (PRA 95) (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 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 approval for the 
paperwork requirement of 29 CFR 1910.269 and 1910.137, Electric power 
generation, transmission, and distribution; and electrical protective 
equipment.

DATES: Written comments must be submitted on or before May 6, 1997.
    Written comments should:
    <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
    <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.

ADDRESSES: Comments are to be submitted to the Docket Office, Docket 
No. ICR-97-2, U.S. Department of Labor, Room N-2625, 200 Constitution 
Avenue, NW, Washington, D.C. 20210, telephone: (202) 219-7894. Written 
comments limited to 10 pages or less in length may also be transmitted 
by facsimile to (202) 219-5046.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Bonnie Friedman, Office of Information 
and Consumer Affairs, Occupational Safety and Health Administration, 
U.S. Department of Labor, Room N-3647, 200 Constitution Avenue, NW, 
Washington, D.C. 20210, telephone: (202) 219-8148. Copies of the 
referenced information collection request are available for inspection 
and copying in the Docket Office and will be mailed immediately to 
persons who request copies by telephoning Vivian Allen at (202) 219-
8076. For electronic copies, contact OSHA's WebPage on Internet at 
http://www.osha.gov/.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

I. Background

    OSHA issued this standard to address the work practices to be used 
during the operation and maintenance of electric power generation, 
transmission, and distribution facilities [59 FR 4320, January 31, 
1984. This standard includes requirements relating to enclosed spaces, 
hazardous energy control, working near energized parts, grounding for 
employee protection, work on underground and overhead installations, 
line-clearance tree trimming, work in substations and generating plans, 
and other special conditions and equipment unique to the generation, 
transmission, and distribution of electric energy. Compliance with 
these requirements will prevent injuries to employees working on 
electric power systems.
    OSHA, at the same time, revised the electrical protective equipment 
requirements contained in the General Industry Standards. The revision 
replaced the incorporation of out-of-date consensus standards with a 
set of performance-oriented requirements. Additionally, OSHA issued new 
requirements for the safe use and care of electrical protective 
equipment to complement the equipment design provisions. These 
revisions will prevent accidents caused by inadequate electrical 
protective equipment.
    OSHA currently has approval from the Office of Management and 
Budget (OMB) for certain information collection requirements contained 
in 29 CFR 1910.269 and 1910.137. That approval will expire on March 31, 
1997, unless OSHA applies for an extension of the OMB approval. This 
notice initiates the process for OSHA to request an extension of the 
current OMB approval. This notice also solicits public comment on 
OSHA's existing paperwork burden estimates from those interested 
parties and to seek public response to several questions related to the 
development of OSHA's estimation. Interested parties are requested to 
review OSHA's existing estimates, which are based upon information 
available during rulemaking, and to comment on their accuracy or 
appropriateness in today's workplace situation.

II. Current Actions

    This notice requests an extension of the current OMB approval of 
the paperwork requirements in 29 CFR 1910.269, Electric power 
generation, transmission, and distribution; and 29 CFR 1910.137, 
Electrical protective equipment.

[[Page 10593]]

    Type of Review: Extension of currently approved collection.
    Agency: U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Safety and Health 
Administration.
    Title: Electric Power Generation, Transmission, and Distribution; 
Electrical Protective Equipment.
    OMB Number: 1218-0190.
    Agency Number: Docket No. ICR-97-2.
    Frequency: Annually.
    Affected Public: Individuals or households; State or local 
governments; Business or other for-profit; Federal Agencies or 
employees; Non-profit institutions; Small businesses or organizations.
    Number of respondents: 12,074.
    Estimated Time Per Respondent: 0.30 hours.
    Total Estimated Cost: $1,002,150.
    Total Burden Hours: 40,086.
    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: February 28, 1997.
John F. Martonik,
Acting Director, Directorate of Safety Standards Programs.
[FR Doc. 97-5649 Filed 3-6-97; 8:45 am]
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