DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Occupational Safety and Health Administration

Proposed Information Collection Request Submitted for Public Comment and Recommendations; Reporting of Fatality or Multiple Hospitalization Incidents (1218-0007)

ACTION: Notice.

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 requirements of 29 CFR 1904.8, Reporting of Fatality or Multiple Hospitalization Incidents.

DATES: Written comments must be submitted on or before May 12, 1997.

Written comments should:

• 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;



• 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;



• enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected; and



• 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-97-6, 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: Bonnie Friedman, Office of Information and Consumer Affairs, Occupational Safety and Health Administration, U.S. Department of Labor, Room N3647, 200 Constitution Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20210, telephone: (202) 219-8148. Copies of the reference 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 promulgated regulation 29 CFR 1904.8 which currently requires employers to report work related fatalities and/or incidents involving the in-patient hospitalization of three or more employees to OSHA within 8 hours of learning of the incident. OSHA investigates such incidents in order to provide the Agency with information on the causes of employment fatalities, injuries and illnesses to identify and require correction of serious hazards and to prevent the occurrence of such incidents in the future. Such information can also be a source of support for new and revised safety and health standards. Investigators will determine whether there was a violation of OSHA standards, and, if so, whether the violation may have contributed to the incident. In addition, the Agency determines whether OSHA standards adequately cover the hazards which led to the incident. Therefore, such investigations must be prompt and thorough if they are to provide valid, useful information and achieve their intended purposes.

OSHA currently has approval from The Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for information collection requirements contained in 29 CFR 1904.8. That approval will expire on May 31, 1997, unless OSHA applies for an extension of the OMB approval. This notices 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 estimates, which are based upon the most current data available, 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 1904.8, Reporting of Fatality or Multiple Hospitalization Incidents.

Type of Review: Extension of currently approved collection.

Agency: U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Safety and Health Administration.

Title: Reporting of Fatality or Multiple Hospitalization Incidents.

OMB Number: 1218-0007.

Agency Number: Docket No. ICR-97-6.

Frequency: On occasion.

Affected Public: Business or other for-profit; Farms; Non-profit institutions; Small businesses or organizations.

Number or respondents: 6,349.

Estimated Time Per Respondent: 0.25 hours.

Total Estimated Cost: $47,610.

Total Burden Hours: 1,587.

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: March 6, 1997.

Joseph DuBois,
Director, Division of Data Analysis, OSHA Office of Statistics.

[FR Doc. 97-6150 Filed 3-12-97; 8:45 am)