• Publication Date:
  • Publication Type:
    Notice
  • Fed Register #:
    64:18938-18939
  • Standard Number:
  • Title:
    Permit-Required Confined Spaces (29 CFR 1910.146); Information Collection Requirements.

DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Occupational Safety and Health Administration

[Docket No. ICR-99-1]

Permit-Required Confined Spaces (29 CFR 1910.146); 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 Permit-Required Confined Spaces (29 CFR 1910.146). The Agency is particularly interested in comments that:

  • Evalaute 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; ad

  • 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 June 15, 1999.

ADDRESSES: Comments are to be submitted to the Docket Office, Docket No. ICR-99-1, Occupational Safety and Health Administration, U.S. Department of Labor, Room N-2625, 200 Constitution Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20210. Telephone: (202) 693-2350. Written comments limited to 10 pages or less in length may also be transmitted by facsimile to (202) 693-1648.

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) 693-2222. 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) 693-2222, or Barbara Bielaski at (202) 693-2444. For electronic copies of the Information Collection Request on Permit-Required Confined Spaces, contact OSHA on the Internet at http://www.osha.gov/OCIS/Info_coll.html

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.

In 29 CFR 1910.146, Permit-Required Confined Spaces, employers are required to perform an assessment of the workplace to determine the presence of permit-required confined spaces (permit spaces). If permit spaces are present, the employer must develop and implement a written program that prevents inadvertent entry into these spaces, and details safe and effective means of entering and exiting these spaces.

Employees risk exposure to such hazards as toxic and explosive atmospheres, oxygen deficient atmospheres, electric and mechanical energy, inwardly sloping walls and immersion in flowing material. In order to protect entrants from these hazards, a pre-entry checklist or permit must be completed that certifies that all procedures necessary to protect entrants from hazards contained within the permit space, and to provide for the entrants' safe retrieval in the event of an emergency, have been taken.

Employees who must enter permit spaces, or act as attendants or rescuers, must be trained and the employer must certify that the training was completed.

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 standard on Permit-Required Confined Spaces (29 CFR 1910.146).

Type of Review: Extension of a Currently Approved Collection.

Agency: Occupational Safety and Health Administration.

Title: Permit-Required Confined Spaces (29 CFR 1910.146).

OMB Number: 1218-0203.

Agency Number: Docket No. ICR 99-1.

Affected Public: Business or other for-profit; Federal Government; State, local or tribal Government.

Number of Respondents: 238,853.

Frequency: Varies (On occasion, daily, annually).

Average Time per Response: Varies, from 5 minutes (.08 hr.) to 16 hours.

Estimated Total Burden Hours: 1,634,663.

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 12th day of April 1999.

Charles N. Jeffress,
Assistant Secretary of Labor.

[FR Doc. 99-9579 Filed 4-15-99; 8:45 am]

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