[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 217 (Wednesday, November 9, 2016)]
[Notices]
[Page 78863]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2016-27015]
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DEPARTMENT OF LABOR
Office of Workers' Compensation Programs
Proposed Extension of Existing Collection; Comment Request
AGENCY: Division of Coal Mine Workers' Compensation, Office of Workers'
Compensation Programs, 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 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 (PRA95). 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 Office of Workers'
Compensation Programs is soliciting comments concerning the proposal to
extend OMB approval of the information collection: Operator Response to
Schedule for Submission of Additional Evidence (CM-2970) and Operator
Response to Notice of Claim (CM-2970a). A copy of the proposed
information collection request can be obtained by contacting the office
listed below in the addresses section of this Notice.
DATES: Written comments must be submitted to the office listed in the
addresses section below on or before January 9, 2017.
ADDRESSES: Ms. Yoon Ferguson, U.S. Department of Labor, 200
Constitution Ave. NW., Room S-3323, Washington, DC 20210, telephone/fax
(202) 354-9647, Email [email protected]. Please use only one method
of transmission for comments (mail, fax, or Email).
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
I. Background
The Division of Coal Mine Workers' Compensation administers the
Black Lung Benefits Act (30 U.S.C. 901 et seq.) which provides benefits
to coal miners totally disabled due to pneumoniosis, and their
surviving dependents. When the Division of Coal Mine Workers'
Compensation (DCMWC) makes a preliminary analysis of a claimant's
eligibility for benefits, and if a coal mine operator has been
identified as potentially liable for payment of those benefits, the
responsible operator is notified of the preliminary analysis.
Regulations require that a coal mine operator be identified and
notified of potential liability as early in the adjudication process as
possible. Regulatory authority is found in 20 CFR 725.410 for the CM-
2970 and 20 CFR 725.408 for the CM-2970a. This information collection
is currently approved for use through March 31, 2017.
II. Review Focus
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.
III. Current Actions
The Department of Labor seeks the approval for the extension of
this currently-approved information collection in order to carry out
its responsibility to administer the Black Lung Benefits Act.
Agency: Office of Workers' Compensation Programs.
Title: Operator Response to Schedule for Submission of Additional
Evidence (CM-2970) and Operator Response to Notice of Claim (CM-2970a).
OMB Number: 1240-0033.
Agency Number: CM-2970 and CM-2970a.
Affected Public: Business or other for profit.
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Frequency of Number of Number of
Form Time to complete response respondents responses Hours burden
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CM-2970...................... 10 min.......... occasion....... 4,800 4,800 800
CM-2970A..................... 15 min.......... occasion....... 4,800 4,800 1,200
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Totals................... ................ ............... 9,600 9,600 2,000
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Total Respondents: 9,600.
Total Annual Responses: 9,600.
Average Time per Response: 10-15 minutes.
Estimated Total Burden Hours: 2,000.
Frequency: On occasion.
Total Burden Cost (capital/startup): $0.
Total Burden Cost (operating/maintenance): $4,800.
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 will also become a
matter of public record.
Dated: November 1, 2016.
Yoon Ferguson,
Agency Clearance Officer, Office of Workers' Compensation Programs, US
Department of Labor.
[FR Doc. 2016-27015 Filed 11-8-16; 8:45 am]
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