Agency Information Collection Activities: Proposed Collection; Comment Request; Bloodborne Pathogens Standard

DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Occupational Safety and Health Administration

[Docket No. ICR-97-45]

Agency Information Collection Activities: Proposed Collection;

Comment Request; Bloodborne Pathogens Standard

AGENCY: Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA),

Department of Labor.

ACTION: Notice.

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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 resources) 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 proposed extension of the

information collection request for the Bloodborne Pathogen Standard 29

CFR 1910.1030 and 1915.1030. 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-97-45, 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 Bloodborne Pathogen contact

OSHA's Webpage on Internet at http://www.osha.gov/ and click on

standards.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Background

The purpose of the Bloodborne Pathogen Standard and its information

collection requirements are to provide protection to employees from

adverse health effects associated with occupational exposure to

bloodborne pathogens. The Standard requires that employers establish

and maintain an exposure control plan, develop a housekeeping schedule,

provide employees with Hepatitis B vaccinations, post exposure

evaluation and medical follow-up, provide employees with information

and training, and maintain medical and training records for prescribed

periods. HIV and HBV Research Labs must also adopt or develop and

annually review a biosafety manual.

II. Current Actions

This notice requests an extension of the current Office of

Management and Budget approval of the paperwork requirements in the

Bloodborne Pathogen Standard. Extension is necessary to continue

protection to employees from occupational exposure to bloodborne

pathogens.

Type of Review: Extension.

Agency: Occupational Safety and Health Administration.

Title: Bloodborne Pathogens 29 CFR 1910.1030 and 1915.1030.

OMB Number: 1218-0180.

Affected Public: Business or other for-profit, Federal government

and State, Local or Tribal governments.

Total Respondents: 511,805.

Frequency: On occasion.

Total Responses: 11,345,833.

Average Time per Response: 0.46 hour.

Estimated Total Burden Hours: 5,162,397.

Total Annualized capital/startup costs: 0.

Total initial annual costs: (operating/maintaining systems or

purchasing services): $17,260.491 for Hepatitis B vaccines and post

exposure follow-up).

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. 97-18550 Filed 7-14-97; 8:45 am]

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