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.

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:

• 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-97-2, 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.

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)