Notice2024-08639
Agency Information Collection Activities; Proposed Renewal of an Existing ICR Collection and Request for Comment; Reporting and Recordkeeping for Asbestos Abatement Worker Protection
Primary source
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Published
April 23, 2024
Issuing agencies
Environmental Protection Agency
Abstract
In compliance with the Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA), this document announces the availability of and solicits public comment on the following Information Collection Request (ICR) that EPA is planning to submit to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB): "Reporting and Recordkeeping for Asbestos Abatement Worker Protection," identified by EPA ICR No. 1246.15 and OMB Control No. 2070-0072. This ICR represents a renewal of an existing ICR that is currently approved through January 31, 2025. Before submitting the ICR to OMB for review and approval under the PRA, EPA is soliciting comments on specific aspects of the information collection that is summarized in this document. The ICR and accompanying material are available in the docket for public review and comment.
Full Text
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<title>Federal Register, Volume 89 Issue 79 (Tuesday, April 23, 2024)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 89, Number 79 (Tuesday, April 23, 2024)]
[Notices]
[Pages 30358-30360]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2024-08639]
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ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
[EPA-HQ-OPPT-2020-0262; FRL-11605-01-OCSPP]
Agency Information Collection Activities; Proposed Renewal of an
Existing ICR Collection and Request for Comment; Reporting and
Recordkeeping for Asbestos Abatement Worker Protection
AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
ACTION: Notice.
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SUMMARY: In compliance with the Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA), this
document announces the availability of and solicits public comment on
the following Information Collection Request (ICR) that EPA is planning
to submit to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB): ``Reporting and
Recordkeeping for Asbestos Abatement Worker Protection,'' identified by
EPA ICR No. 1246.15 and OMB Control No. 2070-0072. This ICR represents
a renewal of an existing ICR that is currently approved through January
31, 2025. Before submitting the ICR to OMB for review and approval
under the PRA, EPA is soliciting comments on specific aspects of the
information collection that is summarized in this document. The ICR and
accompanying material are available in the docket for public review and
comment.
DATES: Comments must be received on or before June 24, 2024.
ADDRESSES: Submit your comments, identified by docket identification
(ID) number EPA-HQ-OPPT-2020-0262, through <a href="http://www.regulations.gov">http://www.regulations.gov</a>.
Follow the online instructions for submitting comments. Do not submit
electronically any information you consider to be Confidential Business
Information (CBI) or other information
[[Page 30359]]
whose disclosure is restricted by statute. Additional instructions on
commenting or visiting the docket, along with more information about
dockets generally, is available at <a href="http://www.epa.gov/dockets">http://www.epa.gov/dockets</a>.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Katherine Sleasman, Mission Support
Divison (7602M), Office of Program Support, Office of Chemical Safety
and Pollution Prevention, Environmental Protection Agency, 1200
Pennsylvania Ave. NW, Washington, DC 20460-0001; telephone number:
(202) 566-1206; email address: <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#fa89969f9b89979b94d4919b8e929f8893949fba9f8a9bd49d958c"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="691a050c081a0408074702081d010c1b00070c290c1908470e061f">[email protected]</span></a>.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
I. What information is EPA particularly interested in?
Pursuant to PRA section 3506(c)(2)(A) (44 U.S.C. 3506(c)(2)(A)),
EPA specifically solicits comments and information to enable it to:
1. 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.
2. Evaluate the accuracy of the Agency's estimates of the burden of
the proposed collection of information, including the validity of the
methodology and assumptions used.
3. Enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to
be collected.
4. 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
submission of responses. In particular, EPA is requesting comments from
very small businesses (those that employ less than 25) on examples of
specific additional efforts that EPA could make to reduce the paperwork
burden for very small businesses affected by this collection.
II. What Information Collection Activity or ICR does this action apply
to?
Title: Reporting and Recordkeeping for Asbestos Abatement Worker
Protection.
EPA ICR No.: 1246.15.
OMB Control No.: 2070-0072.
ICR status: This ICR is currently approved through January 31.
2025. Under the PRA, an agency may not conduct or sponsor, and a person
is not required to respond to, a collection of information, unless it
displays a currently valid OMB control number. The OMB control numbers
for EPA's regulations in title 40 of the Code of Federal Regulations
(CFR), after appearing in the Federal Register when approved, are
displayed either by publication in the Federal Register or by other
appropriate means, such as on the related collection instrument or
form, if applicable. The display of OMB control numbers for certain EPA
regulations is consolidated in 40 CFR part 9.
Abstract: This ICR covers reporting and recordkeeping requirements
associated with EPA's workplace standards for the protection of state
and local government employees who work with asbestos and who are not
covered by a state plan approved by the Occupational Safety and Health
Administration (OSHA). Currently, state and local government employees
in 23 states, the District of Columbia (DC), and three additional U.S.
territories (DC and the territories are counted as one ``state
equivalent'') who perform construction work, including building
construction, renovation, demolition, and maintenance activities, and
employees who perform brake and clutch repair work, are covered by
these requirements. EPA's asbestos worker protection regulations
incorporate, by reference, the OSHA Construction Industry Standard for
Asbestos (29 CFR 1926.1101) and the General Industry Standard for
Asbestos (29 CFR 1910.1001). EPA requires state and local government
employers to use engineering controls and appropriate work practices to
control the release of asbestos fibers. Covered employers must also
monitor employee exposure to asbestos and provide employees with
personal protective equipment, training, and medical surveillance to
reduce the risk of asbestos exposure. Exposure monitoring records must
be maintained for 30 years, medical surveillance records for the
duration of employment of the affected employees plus 30 years, and
training records for the duration of employment plus one year.
Employers must also establish written respiratory protection programs
and maintain procedures and records of respirator fit tests for one
year.
Burden statement: The annual public reporting and recordkeeping
burden for this collection of information is estimated to average 0.32
hours per response. Burden is defined in 5 CFR 1320.3(b).
The ICR, which is available in the docket along with other related
materials, provides a detailed explanation of the collection activities
and the burden estimate that is only briefly summarized here:
Respondents/affected entities: Respondents for this information
collection include states and local government employers in the 23
states, DC, and the U.S. territories that have employees engaged in
asbestos-related construction, custodial, and brake and clutch repair
activities without OSHA-approved state plans. The following North
American Industrial Classification System (NAICS) codes have been
provided to assist in determining whether this action might apply to
certain entities:
<bullet> Public Administration (NAICS Code 92), and
<bullet> Educational Services (NAICS Code 61.
Respondent's obligation to respond: Mandatory. 40 CFR 763.
Frequency of response: Occasional.
Total estimated number of potential respondents: 34,138.
Total estimated average number of responses for each respondent:
33.
Total estimated annual burden hours: 358,049 hours.
Total estimated annual costs: $19,960,188, which includes an
estimated $0 for capital investment or maintenance and operational
costs.
III. Are there changes in the estimates from the last approval?
There is an increase in total burden costs of $3.066 million
compared with that identified in the ICR currently approved by OMB,
which reflects an increase of $10.45, or 23%, to the weighted average
wage rate, and an increase of 10,701 in total respondents (state and
local entities), reflecting updated numbers of governments from the
Census of Governments. These increases are partially offset by a
decrease of 46,824 in the total number of responses due to a decrease
in the number of states subject to the rule compared with that
identified in the ICR currently approved by OMB. There is a decrease in
burden hours by 14,920 due to a decrease in estimated number of
responses. These changes qualify as adjustments.
IV. What is the next step in the process for this ICR?
EPA will consider the comments received and amend the ICR as
appropriate. The final ICR package will then be submitted to OMB for
review and approval pursuant to 5 CFR 1320.12. EPA will issue another
Federal Register document pursuant to 5 CFR 1320.5(a)(1)(iv) to
announce the submission of the ICR to OMB and the opportunity to submit
additional
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comments to OMB. If you have any questions about this ICR or the
approval process, please contact the person listed under FOR FURTHER
INFORMATION CONTACT.
Authority: 44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq.
Dated: April 18, 2024.
Michal Freedhoff,
Assistant Administrator, Office of Chemical Safety and Pollution
Prevention.
[FR Doc. 2024-08639 Filed 4-22-24; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6560-50-P
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