Agency Information Collection Activities; Proposed Collection; Comment Request; Procedures for Handling of Discrimination Complaints Under Federal Employee Protection Statutes (29 CFR 24)

DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Occupational Safety and Health Administration

[Docket No. ICR-97-47]

Agency Information Collection Activities; Proposed Collection;

Comment Request; Procedures for Handling of Discrimination Complaints

Under Federal Employee Protection Statutes (29 CFR 24)

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 pre-clearance

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)). The 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 implementation of the information

collection requirements contained in 29 CFR 24. The Agency is

particularly interested in comments which:

Evaluate whether the proposed collection of the Agency is

necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the Agency,

including whether the information will have particular 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 are to be submitted on or before January 6,

1998.

ADDRESSES: Comments are to be submitted to the Docket Office, Docket

No. ICR-97-47, Occupational Safety and Health Administration, U.S.

Department of Labor, Room N-2625, 200 Constitution Avenue, NW.,

Washington, DC 20210. Telephone: (202) 219-7894. Written comments

limited to 10 pages or less may also be transmitted by facsimile to

(202) 219-5046.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Rich Weitzman, Office of Investigative Assistance, Occupational Safety

and Health Administration, U.S. Department of Labor, Room N-3468, 200

Constitution Avenue, NW., Washington, DC 20210, telephone: (202)219-

8095. 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 (202) 219-7894, or

Barbara Bielaski at (202) 219-8076, ext. 142. For electronic copies of

the Information Collection Request on the certification provisions of

Procedures for the Handling of Discrimination Complaints Under Federal

Employee Protection Statutes, contact OSHA's Webpage on the Internet at

http://www.osha.gov/ and click on ``standards.''

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Background

29 CFR 24 establishes procedures for the expeditious handling of

complaints pursuant to the following statutes: Clean Air Act, 42 U.S.C.

7622; Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability

Act, 42 U.S.C. 9610; Energy Reorganization Act of 1974, 42 U.S.C. 5851;

Federal Water Pollution Control Act, 33 U.S.C. 1367; Safe Drinking

Water Act, 42 U.S.C. 300j-9(I), Solid Waste Disposal Act, 42 U.S.C.

6971; and Toxic Substances Control Act, 15 U.S.C. 2622. These

complaints are filed by employees, or persons acting on their behalf,

of alleged discriminatory action by employers.

The employee records required are necessary to conduct

discrimination investigations under 29 CFR 24. They are intended to

gather evidence to establish whether or not an employee has suffered

discrimination reprisal for engaging in activity protected under

Section 322 of the Clean Air Act; Section 110 of the Comprehensive

Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act; Section 210 of

the Energy Reorganization Act; Section 507 of the Federal Water

Pollution Control Act; Section 1550(I) of the Safe Drinking Water Act;

Section 7001 of the Solid Waste Disposal Act; and Section 23 of the

toxic Substances Control Act.

II Current Actions

This notice requests an extension of the current Office of

Management and Budget (OMB) approval of the procedures for the handling

of discrimination complaints under Federal employee protection statutes

(currently approved under OMB Control No. 1215-0183.)

III OSHA's Estimate of a Burden

OSHA estimates that there will be 200 complaints filed annually. On

average, each complaint will require one hour to supply the

documentation needed to conduct the investigation.

Type of Review: New.

Agency: U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Safety and Health

Administration.

Title: Procedures for the Handling of Discrimination Complaints

Under Federal Employee Protection Statutes.

OMB Number: 1218-Onew (formerly 1215-0183).

Agency Number: Docket Number ICR-97-47.

[[Page 60285]]

Affected public: All public and private sector employers.

Frequency: Not Applicable.

Number of Respondents: 100.

Average Time Per Response: 1 hour.

Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 200.

Total Annualized Capital/Startup Costs: $0.

Signed at Washington, DC, this 4th day of November 1997.

John B. Miles, Jr.,

Director, Directorate of Compliance Programs.

[FR Doc. 97-29487 Filed 11-6-97; 8:45 am]

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