[Federal Register Volume 76, Number 222 (Thursday, November 17, 2011)] [Notices] [Pages 71432-71433] From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] [FR Doc No: 2011-29738] ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION Federal Railroad Administration [Docket No. FRA-2011-0001-N-18] Proposed Agency Information Collection Activities; Comment Request AGENCY: Federal Railroad Administration (FRA), Department of Transportation (DOT). ACTION: Notice. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY: In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 and its implementing regulations, the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) hereby announces that it is seeking renewal of the following currently approved information collection activities. Before submitting these information collection requirements for clearance by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), FRA is soliciting public comment on specific aspects of the activities identified below. DATES: Comments must be received no later than January 17, 2012. ADDRESSES: Submit written comments on any or all of the following proposed activities by mail to either: Mr. Robert Brogan, Office of Safety, Planning and Evaluation Division, RRS-21, Federal Railroad Administration, 1200 New Jersey Ave. SE., Mail Stop 17, Washington, DC 20590, or Ms. Kimberly Toone, Office of Information Technology, RAD-20, Federal Railroad Administration, 1200 New Jersey Ave. SE., Mail Stop 35, Washington, DC 20590. Commenters requesting FRA to acknowledge receipt of their respective comments must include a self-addressed stamped postcard stating, ``Comments on OMB control number 2130-0526.'' Alternatively, comments may be transmitted via facsimile to (202) 493- 6216 or (202) 493-6497, or via email to Mr. Brogan at [email protected], or to Ms. Toone at [email protected]. Please refer to the assigned OMB control number in any correspondence submitted. FRA will summarize comments received in response to this notice in a subsequent notice and include them in its information collection submission to OMB for approval. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Robert Brogan, Office of Planning and Evaluation Division, RRS-21, Federal Railroad Administration, 1200 New Jersey Ave. SE., Mail Stop 17, Washington, DC 20590 (telephone: (202) 493-6292) or Ms. Kimberly Toone, Office of Information Technology, RAD-20, Federal Railroad Administration, 1200 New Jersey Ave. SE., Mail Stop 35, Washington, DC 20590 (telephone: (202) 493- 6132). (These telephone numbers are not toll-free.) SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (PRA), Public Law 104-13, Sec. 2, 109 Stat. 163 (1995) (codified as revised at 44 U.S.C. 3501-3520), and its implementing regulations, 5 CFR Part 1320, require Federal agencies to provide 60-days notice to the public for comment on information collection activities before seeking approval for reinstatement or renewal by OMB. 44 U.S.C. 3506(c)(2)(A); 5 CFR 1320.8(d)(1), 1320.10(e)(1), 1320.12(a). Specifically, FRA invites interested respondents to comment on the following summary of proposed information collection activities regarding (i) Whether the information collection activities are necessary for FRA to properly execute its functions, including whether the activities will have practical utility; (ii) the accuracy of FRA's estimates of the burden of the information collection activities, including the validity of the methodology and assumptions used to determine the estimates; (iii) ways for FRA to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information being collected; and (iv) ways for FRA to minimize the burden of information collection activities on the public by automated, electronic, mechanical, or other technological collection techniques or other forms of information technology (e.g., permitting electronic submission of responses). See 44 U.S.C. 3506(c)(2)(A)(i)-(iv); 5 CFR 1320.8(d)(1)(i)-(iv). FRA believes that soliciting public comment will promote its efforts to reduce the administrative and paperwork burdens associated with the collection of information mandated by Federal regulations. In summary, FRA reasons that comments received will advance three objectives: (i) Reduce reporting burdens; (ii) ensure that it organizes information collection requirements in a ``user friendly'' format to improve the use of such information; and (iii) accurately assess the resources expended to retrieve and produce information requested. See 44 U.S.C. 3501. Below is a brief summary of the currently approved information collection activities that FRA will submit for clearance by OMB as required under the PRA: Title: Control of Alcohol and Drug Use in Railroad Operations. OMB Control Number: 2130-0526. Abstract: The information collection requirements contained in pre- employment and ``for cause'' testing regulations are intended to ensure a sense of fairness and accuracy for railroads and their employees. The principal information--evidence of unauthorized alcohol or drug use--is used to prevent accidents by screening personnel who perform safety- sensitive service. FRA uses the information to measure the level of compliance with regulations governing the use of alcohol or controlled substances. Elimination of this problem is necessary to prevent accidents, injuries, and fatalities of the nature already experienced and further reduce the risk of a truly catastrophic accident. Form Number(s): FRA F 6180.73; FRA F 6180.74. Affected Public: Businesses. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Total annual Average time per Total annual CFR section Respondent universe responses response burden hours ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 219.7--Waivers.................. 100,000 employees.. 2 letters.......... 2 hours............ 4 219.9(b)(2)--Responsibility for 450 railroads...... 2 requests......... 1 hour............. 2 compliance. 219.9(c)--Responsibility for 450 railroads...... 10 contracts/docs.. 2 hours............ 20 compliance. 219.11(d)--General conditions 450 railroads...... 30 forms........... 2 minutes.......... 1 for chemical tests. 219.11(g) Training--Alcohol and 5 railroads........ 5 programs......... 3 hours............ 15 Drug. --Programs: New Railroads... [[Page 71433]] --Training.................. 50 railroads....... 50 training class.. 3 hours............ 150 219.23(d)--Notice to Employee 5 railroads........ 5 notices.......... 1 hour............. 5 Organizations. 219.104/219.107--Removal from 450 railroads...... 500 form letters... 2 minutes.......... 17 Covered Svc.. --Hearing Procedures........ 450 railroads...... 50 requests........ 2 minutes.......... 2 219.201(c) Good Faith 450 railroads...... 2 reports.......... 30 minutes......... 1 Determination. 219.203/207/209--Notifications 450 railroads...... 104 phone calls.... 10 minutes......... 17 by Phone to FRA. 219.205--Sample Collection and 450 railroads...... 400 forms.......... 15 minutes......... 100 Handling. --Form covering accidents/ 450 railroads...... 100 forms.......... 10 minutes......... 17 incidents. 219.209(a)--Reports of Tests and 450 railroads...... 80 phone rpts...... 2 minutes.......... 3 Refusals. 219.209(c)--Records--Tests Not 450 railroads...... 40 records......... 30 minutes......... 20 Promptly Conducted. 219.211(b) & (c)--Analysis and 450 railroads...... 8 reports.......... 15 minutes......... 2 follow-up--MRO. 219.401/403/405--Voluntary 5 railroads........ 5 report policies.. 20 hours........... 100 referral and Co-worker report policies. 219.405(c)(1)--Report by Co- 450 railroads...... 450 reports........ 5 minutes.......... 38 worker. 219.403/405--SAP Counselor 450 railroads...... 700 reports........ 30 minutes......... 350 Evaluation. 219.601(a)--RR Random Drug 5 railroads........ 5 programs......... 1 hour............. 5 Testing Programs. --Amendments................ 450 railroads...... 20 amendments...... 1 hour............. 20 219.601(b)(1)--Random Selection 450 railroads...... 5,400 documents.... 4 hours............ 21,600 Proc.--Drug. 219.601(b)(4); 219.601(d)-- 5 railroads........ 100 notices........ 30 seconds......... 1 Notices to Employees. --New Railroads............. 5 railroads........ 5 notices.......... 10 hours........... 50 --Employee Notices--Tests... 450 railroads...... 25,000 notices..... 1 minute........... 417 219.603(a)--Specimen Security-- 20,000 employees... 20 doc. excuses.... 15 minutes......... 5 Notice By Employee Asking to be Excused from Urine Testing. 219.607(a)--RR Random Alcohol 5 new railroads.... 5 programs......... 8 hours............ 40 Testing Programs. --Amendments to Approved 450 railroads...... 20 amendments...... 1 hour............. 20 Program. 219.901/903--Retention of Breath 450 railroads...... 100,500 records.... 5 minutes.......... 8,375 Alcohol Testing Records; Retention of Urine Drug Testing. --Summary Report of Breath 450 railroads...... 200 reports........ 2 hours............ 400 Alcohol/Drug Test. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Respondent Universe: 450 railroads. Frequency of Submission: On occasion. Total Responses: 133,818. Estimated Total Annual Burden: 31,797 hours. Status: Extension without Change of a Currently Approved Collection. Pursuant to 44 U.S.C. 3507(a) and 5 CFR 1320.5(b), 1320.8(b)(3)(vi), FRA informs all interested parties that it may not conduct or sponsor, and a respondent is not required to respond to, a collection of information unless it displays a currently valid OMB control number. Authority: 44 U.S.C. 3501-3520. Issued in Washington, DC, on November 14, 2011. Kimberly Coronel, Director, Office of Financial Management, Federal Railroad Administration. [FR Doc. 2011-29738 Filed 11-16-11; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4910-06-P