DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Occupational Safety and Health Administration

[Docket Number ICR-97-9]

Agency Information Collection Activities: Proposed Collection; Comment Request; Formaldehyde Standard

AGENCY: Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), Department of Labor.

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 (PRA95) [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 resource) is minimized, collection instruments are clearly understood, and the impact of collection requirements on respondents can be properly assessed. Currently the Occupational Safety and Health Administration is soliciting comments concerning the proposing extension of the information collection request for the Formaldehyde Standard 29 CFR 1910.1048. The Department of Labor is particularly interested in comments which:

• 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.

DATES: Written comment must be submitted by September 15, 1997.

ADDRESSES: Comments are to be submitted to the Docket Office, Docket No. ICR-97-9, U.S. Department of Labor, Room N-2625, 200 Constitution Ave. NW., Washington, D.C. 20210, telephone (202) 219-7894. Written comments limited to 10 pages or fewer may also be transmitted by facsimile to (202) 219-5046.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION: Contact Todd Owen, Directorate of Health Standard Programs, Occupational Safety and Health Administration, U.S. Department of Labor, Room N-3647, 200 Constitution Ave., NW, Washington, D.C. 20210. Telephone: (202) 219-7075. Copies of the referenced information collection request are available for inspection and copying in the Docket Office and will be mailed to persons who request copies by telephoning Todd Owen at (202) 219-7075 or Barbara Bielaski at (202) 219-8076. For electronic copies of the Information Collection Request on formaldehyde contact OSHA's Webpage on Internet at http://www.osha.gov/ and click on standards.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Background

The Formaldehyde Standard and its information collection is designed to provide protection for employees from the adverse health effects associated with occupational exposure to formaldehyde.

The Standard requires employers to monitor employee exposure to formaldehyde and provide notification to employees of their exposure to formaldehyde. Employers are required to make available medical exams to employees who are or may be exposed to formaldehyde at or above the action level (0.5 parts per million calculated as an eight hour time- weighted average), or exceeding the short term exposure limit (two parts formaldehyde per million parts of air). Exposure monitoring and medical records are to be retained for prescribed amounts of time, and under certain circumstances such records may be transferred to the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health. Employers are also required to communicate the hazards associated with exposure to formaldehyde through signed, labels, material safety data sheets, and training.

II. Current Actions

This action requests an extension of the current Office of Management and Budget approval of the paperwork requirements in the Formaldehyde Standard. Extension is necessary to continue protection to employees from the health effects associated with occupational exposure to formaldehyde.

Type of Review: Extension.

Agency: Occupational Safety and Health Administration.

Title: Formaldehyde Standard 29 CFR 1910.1048.

OMB Number: 1218-0145.

Affected Public: Business or other for-profit, Federal government and State, Local or Tribal governments.

Total Respondents: 112,066.

Frequency: On occasion.

Total Responses: 1,487,946.

Average Time per Response: Time per response ranges from 5 minutes to maintain records to 1 hour for medical exams.

Estimated Total Burden Hours: 521,110.

Total Annualized capital/startup costs: 0.

Total initial annual costs: (operating/maintaining systems or purchasing services): $54,209,103.

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.

Dated: July 8, 1997.

Adam M. Finkel,
Director, Directorate of Health Standards Programs.

[FR Doc. 97-18549 Filed 7-14-97; 8:45 am)