Voluntary Protection Programs Information; Extension of the Office of Management and Budget's (OMB's) Approval of Information Collection (Paperwork) Requirements, 16000-16002 [2011-6654]

Download as PDF 16000 Federal Register / Vol. 76, No. 55 / Tuesday, March 22, 2011 / Notices and major industry developments, in time series analyses and industry comparisons, and in special studies such as analyses of establishments, employment, and wages by size of establishment. srobinson on DSKHWCL6B1PROD with NOTICES II. Current Action Office of Management and Budget clearance is being sought for the Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages (QCEW) program. The QCEW program is the only Federal statistical program that provides information on establishments, wages, tax contributions and the number of employees subject to State UI laws and the Unemployment Compensation for the Federal Employees program. The consequences of not collecting QCEW data would be grave to the Federal statistical community. The BLS would not have a sampling frame for its establishment surveys; it would not be able to publish as accurate current estimates of employment for the U.S., States, and metropolitan areas; and it would not be able to publish quarterly census totals of local establishment counts, employment, and wages. The Bureau of Economic Analysis would not be able to publish as accurate personal income data in a timely manner for the U.S., States, and local areas. Finally, the Department of Labor’s Employment Training Administration would not have the information it needs to administer the Unemployment Insurance Program. III. Desired Focus of Comments The Bureau of Labor Statistics is particularly interested in comments that: • 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. • 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. Type of Review: Extension of a currently approved collection. VerDate Mar<15>2010 17:11 Mar 21, 2011 Jkt 223001 Agency: Bureau of Labor Statistics. Title: Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages (QCEW) Program. OMB Number: 1220–0012. Affected Public: State Governments. Total Respondents: 53. Frequency: Quarterly. Total Responses: 212. Average Time per Response: 4,866 hours. Estimated Total Burden Hours: 1,031,680 hours. Total Burden Cost (capital/startup): $0. Total Burden Cost (operating/ maintenance): $0. 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 also will become a matter of public record. Signed at Washington, DC, this 16th day of March 2011. Kimberley Hill, Chief, Division of Management Systems, Bureau of Labor Statistics. [FR Doc. 2011–6600 Filed 3–21–11; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4510–24–P DEPARTMENT OF LABOR Occupational Safety and Health Administration [Docket No. OSHA–2011–0056] Voluntary Protection Programs Information; Extension of the Office of Management and Budget’s (OMB’s) Approval of Information Collection (Paperwork) Requirements Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), Labor. ACTION: Request for public comments. AGENCY: OSHA solicits public comments concerning its proposal to extend the Office of Management and Budget’s (OMB’s) approval of the information collection requirements contained in Voluntary Protection Programs Information. DATES: Comments must be submitted (postmarked, sent, or received) by May 23, 2011. ADDRESSES: Electronically: You may submit comments and attachments electronically at https:// www.regulations.gov, which is the Federal eRulemaking Portal. Follow the instructions online for submitting comments. Facsimile: If your comments, including attachments, are not longer than 10 pages, you may fax them to the OSHA Docket Office at (202) 693–1648. SUMMARY: PO 00000 Frm 00067 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 Mail, hand delivery, express mail, messenger, or courier service: When using this method, you must submit a copy of your comments and attachments to the OSHA Docket Office, OSHA Docket No. OSHA–2011–0056, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Safety and Health Administration, Room N–2625, 200 Constitution Avenue, NW., Washington, DC 20210. Deliveries (hand, express mail, messenger, and courier service) are accepted during the Department of Labor’s and Docket Office’s normal business hours, 8:15 a.m. to 4:45 p.m., e.t. Instructions: All submissions must include the Agency name and OSHA docket number for the Information Collection Request (ICR) (OSHA–2011– 0056). All comments, including any personal information you provide, are placed in the public docket without change, and may be made available online at https://www.regulations.gov. For further information on submitting comments see the ‘‘Public Participation’’ heading in the section of this notice titled ‘‘SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION.’’ Docket: To read or download comments or other material in the docket, go to https://www.regulations.gov or the OSHA Docket Office at the address above. All documents in the docket (including this Federal Register notice) are listed in the https:// www.regulations.gov index; however, some information (e.g., copyrighted material) is not publicly available to read or download through the Web site. All submissions, including copyrighted material, are available for inspection and copying at the OSHA Docket Office. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Patrick Showalter, Acting Director, Office of Partnerships and Recognition, Directorate of Cooperative and State Programs, OSHA, U.S. Department of Labor, Room N–3700, 200 Constitution Avenue, NW., Washington, DC 20210; telephone (202) 693–2213. 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 costs) is minimal, collection instruments are clearly understood, and E:\FR\FM\22MRN1.SGM 22MRN1 srobinson on DSKHWCL6B1PROD with NOTICES Federal Register / Vol. 76, No. 55 / Tuesday, March 22, 2011 / Notices OSHA’s estimate of the information collection burden is accurate. The Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970 (the OSH Act) (29 U.S.C. 651 et seq.) authorizes information collection by employers as necessary or appropriate for enforcement of the OSH Act or for developing information regarding the causes and prevention of occupational injuries, illnesses, and accidents (29 U.S.C. 657). The OSH Act also requires that OSHA obtain such information with minimum burden upon employers, especially those operating small businesses, and to reduce to the maximum extent feasible unnecessary duplication of efforts in obtaining information (29 U.S.C. 657). The Voluntary Protection Programs (VPP) [47 FR 29025], adopted by OSHA, established the efficacy of cooperative action among government, industry, and labor to address employee safety and health issues and to expand employee protection. To qualify, employers must meet OSHA’s safety and health management criteria which focus on comprehensive management programs and active employee involvement to prevent or control worksite safety and health hazards. Employers who qualify generally view OSHA standards as a minimum level of safety and health performance, and set their own more stringent standards, wherever necessary, to improve employee protection. Prospective VPP worksites must submit an application that includes: General applicant information (e.g., site, corporate, and collective bargaining contact information). Injury and illness rate performance information (i.e., number of employees and/or applicable contractors on-site, type of work performed and products produced, North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) codes, and Recordable Injury and Illness Case Incidence Rate information). Safety and health management program information (i.e., description of the applicant’s safety and health management programs including how the programs successfully address management leadership and employee involvement, worksite analysis, hazard prevention and control, and safety and health training). OSHA uses this information to determine whether an applicant is ready for a VPP on-site evaluation and as a verification tool during VPP on-site evaluations. Without this information, OSHA would be unable to determine which sites are ready for VPP status. Each current VPP applicant is also required to submit an annual evaluation which addresses how that applicant is VerDate Mar<15>2010 17:11 Mar 21, 2011 Jkt 223001 continuing its adherence to programmatic requirements. In 2008, OSHA modified procedures for VPP applicants, OSHA on-site evaluations, and annual participant selfevaluations for applicants/participants subject to OSHA’s Process Safety Management (PSM) Standard. Applicants that perform work that use or produce highly hazardous chemicals exceeding specified limits covered under the PSM standard must submit responses to the PSM application supplement along with their VPP application. Once in the VPP, the participant is required to submit an annual evaluation detailing its continued adherence to programmatic requirements. Applicants covered under the PSM standard are required to submit a PSM questionnaire, a supplemental document, as part of their annual submission. OSHA needs this information to ensure that the participant remains qualified to participate in the VPP between on-site evaluations. Without this information, OSHA would be unable to determine whether applicants are maintaining excellent safety and health management programs during this interim period. In 2009, with the publication of the Federal Register Notice (FRN) (74 FR 927, January 9, 2009), VPP revised its traditional focus on individual fixed worksites (site-based) by adding two new ways to participate: Mobile workforce and corporate. A significant reorganization of the program helped clarify the multiple participation options now available. Employees of VPP participants may apply to participate in the Special Government Employee (SGE) Program. The SGE Program offers private and public sector safety and health professionals and other qualified participants the opportunity to exchange ideas, gain new perspectives, and grow professionally while serving as full-fledged team members on OSHA’s VPP on-site evaluations. In that capacity, SGEs may review company documents, assist with worksite walkthroughs, interview employees, and assist in preparing VPP on-site evaluation reports. Potential SGEs must submit an application that includes: • SGE Eligibility Information Sheet (i.e., applicant’s name, professional; credentials, site/corporate contact information, etc.); • Current Resume; • Confidential Financial Disclosure Report (OGE Form 450). OSHA uses the SGE Eligibility Information Sheet to ensure that the potential SGE works at a VPP site and meets the minimum eligibility PO 00000 Frm 00068 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 16001 qualifications. The resume is required to provide a detailed description of their current duties and responsibilities as they relate to safety and health and the implementation of an effective safety and health management program. The OGE Form 450 is used to ensure that SGEs do not participate on on-site evaluations at VPP sites in-which they have a financial interest. OSHA Challenge is designed to reach and guide employers and companies in all major industry groups who are strongly committed to improving their safety and health management programs and possibly pursuing recognition in the VPP. The Challenge Administrator’s application is used to: (1) Conduct a preliminary analysis of the applicant’s knowledge of safety and health management programs; and (2) make a determination regarding the applicant’s qualifications to become a Challenge Administrator. Once a Challenge Administrator is approved, the program’s Administrator will review each Challenge candidate’s application/ annual submissions to ensure that all necessary information is provided, prior to forwarding them to OSHA’s National Office for analysis and acceptance. II. Special Issues for Comment OSHA has a particular interest in comments on the following issues: • Whether the information collection requirements are necessary for the proper performance of the Agency’s functions, including whether the information is useful; • The accuracy of the Agency’s estimate of the burden (time and costs) 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 approval of the collection of information (paperwork) requirements necessitated by the Voluntary Protection Programs. The Agency is requesting an adjustment in the burden hours from 105,965 to 115,359; a total increase of 9,394 hours. 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 these information collection requirements. Type of Review: Extension of a currently approved collection. E:\FR\FM\22MRN1.SGM 22MRN1 16002 Federal Register / Vol. 76, No. 55 / Tuesday, March 22, 2011 / Notices Title: Voluntary Protection Programs Information. OMB Number: 1218–0239. Affected Public: Business or other forprofits; individuals or households; Federal government; state, local or tribal government. Number of Respondents: VPP 300 Applications 75 Process Safety Management Applications 1,700 Annual Evaluations 425 (PSM) Annual Evaluations/ Supplemental Questionnaire Challenge 14 Challenge Administrator’s Applications 210 Challenge Participant’s Applications 210 Challenge Quarterly Reports 210 Challenge Annual Evaluations Special Government Employees 900 SGE Eligibility Information Sheets 900 Resumes 300 Confidential Financial Disclosure Forms (OGE- Form 450) Total Respondents: 5,244. Frequency: VPP applications and Challenge Administrator’s and Participant’s applications are submitted once; VPP and Challenge Annual Evaluations are submitted annually, and SGE applications are submitted once every three years. Average Time Per Response: VPP General 200 hours for VPP Applications 20 hours for VPP Annual Evaluations Process Safety Management 40 hours for Applications 20 hours for Annual Evaluations Challenge 5 hours for Challenge Administrator’s Applications 10 hours for Challenge Candidate Applications 5 hours for Challenge Quarterly Reports 20 hours for Challenge Annual Evaluations srobinson on DSKHWCL6B1PROD with NOTICES Special Government Employees (SGE) 8 minutes (.13 hour) for SGE Eligibility Information Sheet 30 minutes (.50 hour) for SGE Resume 30 minutes (.50 hour) for Confidential Financial Disclosure Form Estimated Total Burden Hours: 115,359. Estimated Cost (Operation and Maintenance): $0. VerDate Mar<15>2010 18:36 Mar 21, 2011 Jkt 223001 IV. Public Participation—Submission of Comments on This Notice and Internet Access to Comments and Submissions You may submit comments in response to this document as follows: (1) Electronically at https:// www.regulations.gov, which is the Federal eRulemaking Portal; (2) by facsimile (fax); or (3) by hard copy. All comments, attachments, and other material must identify the Agency name and the OSHA docket number for the ICR (Docket No. OSHA–2011–0056). You may supplement electronic submissions by uploading document files electronically. If you wish to mail additional materials in reference to an electronic or facsimile submission, you must submit them to the OSHA Docket Office (see the section of this notice titled ADDRESSES). The additional materials must clearly identify your electronic comments by your name, date, and the docket number so the Agency can attach them to your comments. Because of security procedures, the use of regular mail may cause a significant delay in the receipt of comments. For information about security procedures concerning the delivery of materials by hand, express delivery, messenger, or courier service, please contact the OSHA Docket Office at (202) 693–2350, (TTY (877) 889– 5627). Comments and submissions are posted without change at https:// www.regulations.gov. Therefore, OSHA cautions commenters about submitting personal information such as social security numbers and date of birth. Although all submissions are listed in the https://www.regulations.gov index, some information (e.g., copyrighted material) is not publicly available to read or download through this Web site. All submissions, including copyrighted material, are available for inspection and copying at the OSHA Docket Office. Information on using the https:// www.regulations.gov Web site to submit comments and access the docket is available at the Web site’s ‘‘User Tips’’ link. Contact the OSHA Docket Office for information about materials not available through the Web site, and for assistance in using the Internet to locate docket submissions. V. Authority and Signature David Michaels, PhD, MPH, 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 PO 00000 Frm 00069 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 et seq.) and Secretary of Labor’s Order No. 4–2010 (75 FR 55355). Signed at Washington, DC, on March 17, 2011. David Michaels, Assistant Secretary of Labor for Occupational Safety and Health. [FR Doc. 2011–6654 Filed 3–21–11; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4510–26–P NATIONAL ARCHIVES AND RECORDS ADMINISTRATION Records Schedules; Availability and Request for Comments National Archives and Records Administration (NARA). ACTION: Notice of availability of proposed records schedules; request for comments. AGENCY: The National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) publishes notice at least once monthly of certain Federal agency requests for records disposition authority (records schedules). Once approved by NARA, records schedules provide mandatory instructions on what happens to records when no longer needed for current Government business. They authorize the preservation of records of continuing value in the National Archives of the United States and the destruction, after a specified period, of records lacking administrative, legal, research, or other value. Notice is published for records schedules in which agencies propose to destroy records not previously authorized for disposal or reduce the retention period of records already authorized for disposal. NARA invites public comments on such records schedules, as required by 44 U.S.C. 3303a(a). DATES: Requests for copies must be received in writing on or before April 21, 2011. Once the appraisal of the records is completed, NARA will send a copy of the schedule. NARA staff usually prepare appraisal memorandums that contain additional information concerning the records covered by a proposed schedule. These, too, may be requested and will be provided once the appraisal is completed. Requesters will be given 30 days to submit comments. ADDRESSES: You may request a copy of any records schedule identified in this notice by contacting the Life Cycle Management Division (NWML) using one of the following means: Mail: NARA (NWML), 8601 Adelphi Road, College Park, MD 20740–6001 E-mail: request.schedule@nara.gov. SUMMARY: E:\FR\FM\22MRN1.SGM 22MRN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 76, Number 55 (Tuesday, March 22, 2011)]
[Notices]
[Pages 16000-16002]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2011-6654]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Occupational Safety and Health Administration

[Docket No. OSHA-2011-0056]


Voluntary Protection Programs Information; Extension of the 
Office of Management and Budget's (OMB's) Approval of Information 
Collection (Paperwork) Requirements

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

ACTION: Request for public comments.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: OSHA solicits public comments concerning its proposal to 
extend the Office of Management and Budget's (OMB's) approval of the 
information collection requirements contained in Voluntary Protection 
Programs Information.

DATES: Comments must be submitted (postmarked, sent, or received) by 
May 23, 2011.

ADDRESSES: Electronically: You may submit comments and attachments 
electronically at https://www.regulations.gov, which is the Federal 
eRulemaking Portal. Follow the instructions online for submitting 
comments.
    Facsimile: If your comments, including attachments, are not longer 
than 10 pages, you may fax them to the OSHA Docket Office at (202) 693-
1648.
    Mail, hand delivery, express mail, messenger, or courier service: 
When using this method, you must submit a copy of your comments and 
attachments to the OSHA Docket Office, OSHA Docket No. OSHA-2011-0056, 
U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Safety and Health 
Administration, Room N-2625, 200 Constitution Avenue, NW., Washington, 
DC 20210. Deliveries (hand, express mail, messenger, and courier 
service) are accepted during the Department of Labor's and Docket 
Office's normal business hours, 8:15 a.m. to 4:45 p.m., e.t.
    Instructions: All submissions must include the Agency name and OSHA 
docket number for the Information Collection Request (ICR) (OSHA-2011-
0056). All comments, including any personal information you provide, 
are placed in the public docket without change, and may be made 
available online at https://www.regulations.gov. For further information 
on submitting comments see the ``Public Participation'' heading in the 
section of this notice titled ``SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION.''
    Docket: To read or download comments or other material in the 
docket, go to https://www.regulations.gov or the OSHA Docket Office at 
the address above. All documents in the docket (including this Federal 
Register notice) are listed in the https://www.regulations.gov index; 
however, some information (e.g., copyrighted material) is not publicly 
available to read or download through the Web site. All submissions, 
including copyrighted material, are available for inspection and 
copying at the OSHA Docket Office.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Patrick Showalter, Acting Director, 
Office of Partnerships and Recognition, Directorate of Cooperative and 
State Programs, OSHA, U.S. Department of Labor, Room N-3700, 200 
Constitution Avenue, NW., Washington, DC 20210; telephone (202) 693-
2213.

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 costs) 
is minimal, collection instruments are clearly understood, and

[[Page 16001]]

OSHA's estimate of the information collection burden is accurate. The 
Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970 (the OSH Act) (29 U.S.C. 651 
et seq.) authorizes information collection by employers as necessary or 
appropriate for enforcement of the OSH Act or for developing 
information regarding the causes and prevention of occupational 
injuries, illnesses, and accidents (29 U.S.C. 657). The OSH Act also 
requires that OSHA obtain such information with minimum burden upon 
employers, especially those operating small businesses, and to reduce 
to the maximum extent feasible unnecessary duplication of efforts in 
obtaining information (29 U.S.C. 657).
    The Voluntary Protection Programs (VPP) [47 FR 29025], adopted by 
OSHA, established the efficacy of cooperative action among government, 
industry, and labor to address employee safety and health issues and to 
expand employee protection. To qualify, employers must meet OSHA's 
safety and health management criteria which focus on comprehensive 
management programs and active employee involvement to prevent or 
control worksite safety and health hazards. Employers who qualify 
generally view OSHA standards as a minimum level of safety and health 
performance, and set their own more stringent standards, wherever 
necessary, to improve employee protection. Prospective VPP worksites 
must submit an application that includes:
    General applicant information (e.g., site, corporate, and 
collective bargaining contact information).
    Injury and illness rate performance information (i.e., number of 
employees and/or applicable contractors on-site, type of work performed 
and products produced, North American Industry Classification System 
(NAICS) codes, and Recordable Injury and Illness Case Incidence Rate 
information).
    Safety and health management program information (i.e., description 
of the applicant's safety and health management programs including how 
the programs successfully address management leadership and employee 
involvement, worksite analysis, hazard prevention and control, and 
safety and health training).
    OSHA uses this information to determine whether an applicant is 
ready for a VPP on-site evaluation and as a verification tool during 
VPP on-site evaluations. Without this information, OSHA would be unable 
to determine which sites are ready for VPP status.
    Each current VPP applicant is also required to submit an annual 
evaluation which addresses how that applicant is continuing its 
adherence to programmatic requirements.
    In 2008, OSHA modified procedures for VPP applicants, OSHA on-site 
evaluations, and annual participant self-evaluations for applicants/
participants subject to OSHA's Process Safety Management (PSM) 
Standard. Applicants that perform work that use or produce highly 
hazardous chemicals exceeding specified limits covered under the PSM 
standard must submit responses to the PSM application supplement along 
with their VPP application.
    Once in the VPP, the participant is required to submit an annual 
evaluation detailing its continued adherence to programmatic 
requirements. Applicants covered under the PSM standard are required to 
submit a PSM questionnaire, a supplemental document, as part of their 
annual submission. OSHA needs this information to ensure that the 
participant remains qualified to participate in the VPP between on-site 
evaluations. Without this information, OSHA would be unable to 
determine whether applicants are maintaining excellent safety and 
health management programs during this interim period.
    In 2009, with the publication of the Federal Register Notice (FRN) 
(74 FR 927, January 9, 2009), VPP revised its traditional focus on 
individual fixed worksites (site-based) by adding two new ways to 
participate: Mobile workforce and corporate. A significant 
reorganization of the program helped clarify the multiple participation 
options now available.
    Employees of VPP participants may apply to participate in the 
Special Government Employee (SGE) Program. The SGE Program offers 
private and public sector safety and health professionals and other 
qualified participants the opportunity to exchange ideas, gain new 
perspectives, and grow professionally while serving as full-fledged 
team members on OSHA's VPP on-site evaluations. In that capacity, SGEs 
may review company documents, assist with worksite walkthroughs, 
interview employees, and assist in preparing VPP on-site evaluation 
reports. Potential SGEs must submit an application that includes:
     SGE Eligibility Information Sheet (i.e., applicant's name, 
professional; credentials, site/corporate contact information, etc.);
     Current Resume;
     Confidential Financial Disclosure Report (OGE Form 450).
    OSHA uses the SGE Eligibility Information Sheet to ensure that the 
potential SGE works at a VPP site and meets the minimum eligibility 
qualifications. The resume is required to provide a detailed 
description of their current duties and responsibilities as they relate 
to safety and health and the implementation of an effective safety and 
health management program. The OGE Form 450 is used to ensure that SGEs 
do not participate on on-site evaluations at VPP sites in-which they 
have a financial interest.
    OSHA Challenge is designed to reach and guide employers and 
companies in all major industry groups who are strongly committed to 
improving their safety and health management programs and possibly 
pursuing recognition in the VPP. The Challenge Administrator's 
application is used to: (1) Conduct a preliminary analysis of the 
applicant's knowledge of safety and health management programs; and (2) 
make a determination regarding the applicant's qualifications to become 
a Challenge Administrator. Once a Challenge Administrator is approved, 
the program's Administrator will review each Challenge candidate's 
application/annual submissions to ensure that all necessary information 
is provided, prior to forwarding them to OSHA's National Office for 
analysis and acceptance.

II. Special Issues for Comment

    OSHA has a particular interest in comments on the following issues:
     Whether the information collection requirements are 
necessary for the proper performance of the Agency's functions, 
including whether the information is useful;
     The accuracy of the Agency's estimate of the burden (time 
and costs) 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 approval of the collection of 
information (paperwork) requirements necessitated by the Voluntary 
Protection Programs. The Agency is requesting an adjustment in the 
burden hours from 105,965 to 115,359; a total increase of 9,394 hours. 
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 these information collection requirements.
    Type of Review: Extension of a currently approved collection.

[[Page 16002]]

    Title: Voluntary Protection Programs Information.
    OMB Number: 1218-0239.
    Affected Public: Business or other for-profits; individuals or 
households; Federal government; state, local or tribal government.
    Number of Respondents:

VPP

300 Applications
75 Process Safety Management Applications
1,700 Annual Evaluations
425 (PSM) Annual Evaluations/Supplemental Questionnaire

Challenge

14 Challenge Administrator's Applications
210 Challenge Participant's Applications
210 Challenge Quarterly Reports
210 Challenge Annual Evaluations

 Special Government Employees

900 SGE Eligibility Information Sheets
900 Resumes
300 Confidential Financial Disclosure Forms (OGE- Form 450)
    Total Respondents: 5,244.
    Frequency: VPP applications and Challenge Administrator's and 
Participant's applications are submitted once;
    VPP and Challenge Annual Evaluations are submitted annually, and 
SGE applications are submitted once every three years.
    Average Time Per Response:

VPP General

200 hours for VPP Applications
20 hours for VPP Annual Evaluations

Process Safety Management

40 hours for Applications
20 hours for Annual Evaluations

Challenge

5 hours for Challenge Administrator's Applications
10 hours for Challenge Candidate Applications
5 hours for Challenge Quarterly Reports
20 hours for Challenge Annual Evaluations

Special Government Employees (SGE)

8 minutes (.13 hour) for SGE Eligibility Information Sheet
30 minutes (.50 hour) for SGE Resume
30 minutes (.50 hour) for Confidential Financial Disclosure Form
    Estimated Total Burden Hours: 115,359.
    Estimated Cost (Operation and Maintenance): $0.

IV. Public Participation--Submission of Comments on This Notice and 
Internet Access to Comments and Submissions

    You may submit comments in response to this document as follows: 
(1) Electronically at https://www.regulations.gov, which is the Federal 
eRulemaking Portal; (2) by facsimile (fax); or (3) by hard copy. All 
comments, attachments, and other material must identify the Agency name 
and the OSHA docket number for the ICR (Docket No. OSHA-2011-0056). You 
may supplement electronic submissions by uploading document files 
electronically. If you wish to mail additional materials in reference 
to an electronic or facsimile submission, you must submit them to the 
OSHA Docket Office (see the section of this notice titled ADDRESSES). 
The additional materials must clearly identify your electronic comments 
by your name, date, and the docket number so the Agency can attach them 
to your comments.
    Because of security procedures, the use of regular mail may cause a 
significant delay in the receipt of comments. For information about 
security procedures concerning the delivery of materials by hand, 
express delivery, messenger, or courier service, please contact the 
OSHA Docket Office at (202) 693-2350, (TTY (877) 889-5627).
    Comments and submissions are posted without change at https://www.regulations.gov. Therefore, OSHA cautions commenters about 
submitting personal information such as social security numbers and 
date of birth. Although all submissions are listed in the https://www.regulations.gov index, some information (e.g., copyrighted 
material) is not publicly available to read or download through this 
Web site. All submissions, including copyrighted material, are 
available for inspection and copying at the OSHA Docket Office. 
Information on using the https://www.regulations.gov Web site to submit 
comments and access the docket is available at the Web site's ``User 
Tips'' link. Contact the OSHA Docket Office for information about 
materials not available through the Web site, and for assistance in 
using the Internet to locate docket submissions.

V. Authority and Signature

    David Michaels, PhD, MPH, 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 et seq.) and Secretary of Labor's Order No. 4-2010 
(75 FR 55355).

    Signed at Washington, DC, on March 17, 2011.
David Michaels,
Assistant Secretary of Labor for Occupational Safety and Health.
[FR Doc. 2011-6654 Filed 3-21-11; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4510-26-P
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