Proposed Rules. Request for comment

Agency: Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), Labor
Action: Request for comment
Citation: FR Doc. 02-14065 · Docket No. ICR-1218-0217

Summary

OSHA solicits public comment concerning its request to extend OMB approval of the information-collection requirement specified in paragraph (k)(3)(i) of the Blasting Operations Standard for Construction (29 CFR 1926.900); this paragraph requires employers to post signs warning against the use of mobile radio transmitters near blasting operations or to certify and maintain records of alternative means developed to prevent the premature detonation of electric blasting caps by mobile radio transmitters.

Dates

Submit written comments on or before August 5, 2002.

Supplementary Information

I. Background The Department of Labor, as part of its continuing effort to reduce paperwork and respondent (i.e., employer) burden, conducts a preclearance consultation program to provide the public with an opportunity to comment on proposed and continuing information-collection requirements in accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (PRA-95) (44 U.S.C. 3506(c)(2)(A)). This program ensures that information is in the desired format, reporting burden (time and cost) is minimal, collection instruments are clearly understood, and OSHA's estimate of the information-collection burden is correct. Paragraph (k)(3)(i) of this Standard requires a prominent display of adequate warning signs against the use of mobile transmitters. If the signs are infeasible, an alternative method needs to be developed to prevent premature detonation. II. Special Issues for Comment OSHA has a particular interest in comments on the following issues: • Whether the proposed information-collection requirements are necessary for the proper performance of the Agency's functions, including whether the information is useful; • The accuracy of OSHA's estimate of the burden (time and cost) of the information-collection requirements, including the validity of the methodology and assumptions used; • The quality, utility, and clarity of the information collected; and • Ways to minimize the burden on employers who must comply; for example, by using automated or other technological information-collection and -transmission techniques. III. Proposed Actions OSHA proposes to extend OMB's previous approval of the recordkeeping (paperwork) requirement specified in paragraphs (k)(3)(i) of the Blasting Operation Standard for Construction (29 CFR 1926.900). The Agency will summarize the comments submitted in response to this notice, and will include this summary in its request to OMB to extend the approval of this information-collection requirement. Type of Review: Extension of currently approved information-collection requirements. Title: Blasting Operations. OMB Number: 1218-0217. Affected Public: Business or other for-profit; not-for-profit institutions; Federal government; State, local or tribal governments. Number of Respondents: 160. Frequency of Response: On Occasion. Total Responses: 160. Average Time per Response: 8 hours. Estimated Total Burden Hours: 1,280. Estimated Cost (Operation and Maintenance): $1,704,000. IV. Authority and Signature John L. Henshaw, Assistant Secretary of Labor for Occupational Safety and Health, directed the preparation of this notice. The authority for this notice is the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. 3506) and Secretary of Labor's Order No. 3-2000 (65 FR 50017). Signed at Washington, DC., on May 30, 2002. John L. Henshaw, Assistant Secretary of Labor. [FR Doc. 02-14065 Filed 6-4-02; 8:45 am]