DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Occupational Safety and Health Administration

[Docket No. ICR-98-26]

Walking-Working Surfaces; Information Collection Requirements

ACTION: Notice; Opportunity for Public Comment.

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 standard on Walking-Working Surfaces (29 CFR 1910.21-30). The Agency 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 comments must be submitted on or before August 25, 1998.

ADDRESSES: Comments are to be submitted to the Docket Office, Docket No. ICR-98-26, Occupational Safety and Health Administration, U.S. DEPARTMENT OF LABOR, Room N-2625, 200 Constitution Avenue, N.W., 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: Theda Kenney, Directorate of Safety Standards Programs, Occupational Safety and Health Administration, U.S. DEPARTMENT OF LABOR, Room N- 3605, 200 Constitution Avenue, N.W., Washington, D.C. 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 Walking-Working Surfaces (29 CFR 1910.21-30), contact OSHA's WebPage on the Internet at http://www.osha.gov/.

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 information collected is used by employers and employees to be aware of load limits of the floors of newly constructed buildings, the location of permanent aisles and passageways in these buildings, and defective portable metal ladders. Once the floor loading signs are posted, there is no need to change them unless structural conditions change or if the signs become lost, removed, or defaced. Once a portable metal ladder is marked as defective, it must be removed from service and either repaired or destroyed. Repaired portable metal ladders may be returned to service and the markings removed. The tags or signs used to mark the defective ladders may be used over and over again.

Further, a copy of the drawings and specifications of an outrigger scaffold not constructed and erected in accordance with table D-16 of the standard and designed by a licensed professional engineer must be maintained by the employer. The drawings and specifications are used by the employer and OSHA compliance officers to show the sizes and spacing of members.

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 Walking- Working Surfaces standards (29 CFR 1910.21-30).

Type of Review: Extension of a Currently Approved Collection.

Agency: U.S. DEPARTMENT OF LABOR, Occupational Safety and Health Administration.

Title: Walking-Working surfaces (29 CFR 1910.21-30).

OMB Number: 1218-0199.

Agency Number: Docket Number ICR-98-26.

Affected Public: Business or other for-profit; Not-for-profit institutions; Federal government; State, local or tribal government.

Number of Respondents: 60,500.

Frequency: Initially, On Occasion.

Average Time Per Response: Varies from 0.5 to 2 hours.

Estimated Total Burden Hours: 33,837.

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, D.C., this 22nd day of June 1998.

Charles N. Jeffress,
Assistant Secretary of Labor.

[FR Doc. 98-17102 Filed 6-25-98; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 4510-26-M