[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 148 (Monday, August 3, 1998)]
[Notices]
[Pages 41298-41299]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-20618]


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DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Occupational Safety and Health Administration
[Docket No. ICR-98-31]


Electrical Standards for Construction; Information Collection 
Requirements

ACTION: Notice, Opportunity for public comment.

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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 pubic 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

[[Page 41299]]

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 
Electrical Standards for Construction (29 CFR part 1926, Subpart K). 
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 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 October 2, 1998.

ADDRESSES: Comments are to be submitted to the Docket Office, Docket 
No. ICR-98-31, 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 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, DC 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 Kenney at 
(202) 219-8061, extension 100, or Barbara Bielaski at (202) 219-8076, 
extension 142. For electronic copies of the Information Collection 
Request on the Electrical Standards for Construction (29 CFR part 1926, 
Subpart K), contact OSHA's WebPage on the Internet at <a href="http://
www.osha.gov">http://
www.osha.gov</a> and click on ``Regulations and Compliance.''

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 specially 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.
    The written description of the Assured Equipment Grounding 
Conductor Program (AEGP) required by Sec. 1926.404(b)(1)(iii) allows 
employers, employees, and OSHA compliance officers to determine how the 
requirements of the standard are being met, including the method of 
recording tests. For example, the employer's written program might 
specify the use of yellow tape to color code every tool and cord set. 
By referring to the written program, OSHA compliance officers and other 
persons can easily determine if the employer is complying with the 
program.
    The posting of warning signs enables employees to avoid accidental 
contact of electrical equipment used on construction sites. Contact 
with unguarded live electrical parts, especially at high voltage, can 
be hazardous to employees.
    The tagging of controls, equipment and circuits is intended to 
prevent the inadvertent reactivation of the controls, equipment and 
circuits while they are being serviced.

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 Electrical 
Standards for Construction (29 CFR part 1926, Subpart K).
    Type of Review: Extension of a Currently Approved Collection.
    Agency: U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Safety and Health 
Administration.
    Title: Electrical Standards for Construction (29 CFR part 1926, 
Subpart K).
    OMB Number: 1218-0130.
    Agency Number: Docket Number ICR-98-31.
    Affected Public: Business or other for-profit.
    Number of Respondents: 278,500.
    Frequency: Initially, On Occasion.
    Average Time per Response: Varies from .02 to .17 hours.
    Estimated Total Burden Hours: 53,001.
    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 (OMB) 
approval of the information collection request. The comments will 
become a matter of public record.

    Signed at Washington, DC, this 27th day of July 1998.
Charles N. Jeffress,
Assistant Secretary of Labor.
[FR Doc. 98-20618 Filed 7-31-98; 8:45 am]
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