[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 98 (Thursday, May 21, 1998)]
[Notices]
[Pages 28004-28005]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-13625]


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DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Occupational Safety and Health Administration
[Docket No. ICR-98-28]


Agency Information Collection Activities; Proposed Collection; 
Comment Request; Logging Operations (29 CFR 1910.266)

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 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 the information 
collection requirements contained in the standard on Logging Operations 
(29 CFR 1910.266). The Agency 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

[[Page 28005]]

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.

DATES: Written comments must be submitted on or before July 20, 1998.

ADDRESSES: Comments are to be submitted to the Docket Office, Docket 
No. ICR-98-28, Occupational Safety and Health Administration, U.S. 
Department of Labor, Room N-2625, 200 Constitution Avenue, N.W., 
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:
Theda Kenney, Directorate of Safety Standards Programs, Occupational 
Safety and Health Administration, U.S. Department of Labor, Room N-
3605, 200 Constitution Avenue, NW, Washington, D.C. 20210, telephone: 
(202) 219-8061. A copy of the referenced information collection request 
is available for inspection and copying in the Docket Office and will 
be mailed to persons who request copies by telephoning Theda Kinney at 
(202) 219-8061, extension 100, or Barbara Bielaski at (202) 219-8076, 
extension 142. For electronic copies of the Information Collection 
Request on Logging Operations (29 CFR 1910.266), contact OSHA's WebPage 
on the Internet at http://www.osha.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Background

    The Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970 (the Act) authorizes 
the promulgation of such health and safety standards as are necessary 
or appropriate to provide safe or healthful employment and places of 
employment. The statute specifically authorizes information collection 
by employers as necessary or appropriate for the enforcement of the Act 
or for developing information regarding the causes and prevention of 
occupational injuries, illnesses, and accidents.
    Section 1910.266(i)(10)(i) requires an employer to verify that 
employees have been trained in the safe performance of assigned work 
tasks, first-aid and CPR by preparing written certification records. 
Section 1910.266(i)(10)(ii) requires an employer to maintain the 
certification records.
    The training certification is necessary to assure compliance with 
the requirement that employees have been trained in the various 
precautions and safe practices in logging operations. The information 
collected would also be used by compliance officers to determine that 
employees have been properly trained according to the requirements set 
forth in 29 CFR 1910.266(i).

II. Current Actions

    This notice requests public comment on OSHA's burden hour estimates 
prior to OSHA seeking Office of Management and Budget (OMB) approval of 
the information collection requirements contained in the Logging 
Operations standard.
    Type of Review: Extension of a Currently Approved Collection.
    Agency: U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Safety and Health 
Administration.
    Title: Logging Operations (29 CFR 1910.266).
    OMB Number: 1218-0198.
    Agency Number: Docket Number ICR-98-28.
    Affected Public: Business or other for-profit; State or local 
governments.
    Number of Respondents: 86,400.
    Frequency: Initially, On Occasion.
    Average Time per Response: 3 minutes (0.05 hr.).
    Estimated Total Burden Hours: 4,320.
    Total Annualized Capital/Startup Costs: $0.
    Comments submitted in response to this notice will be summarized 
and included in the request for Office of Management and Budget 
approval of the information collection request. The comments will 
become a matter of public record.

    Signed at Washington, D.C., this 18th day of May 1998.
Charles N. Jeffress,
Assistant Secretary of Labor.
[FR Doc. 98-13625 Filed 5-20-98; 8:45 am]
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