[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 151 (Thursday, August 6, 1998)]
[Notices]
[Pages 42067-42068]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-20959]


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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 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 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 5, 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

[[Page 42068]]

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 http://www.osha.gov 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 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.
    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 hour.
    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 15th day of July 1998.
Charles N. Jeffress,
Assistant Secretary of Labor.
[FR Doc. 98-20959 Filed 8-5-98; 8:45 am]
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