[Federal Register Volume 76, Number 9 (Thursday, January 13, 2011)]
[Notices]
[Pages 2421-2422]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2011-631]


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DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Office of Workers' Compensation Programs


Proposed Extension of Existing Collection; Comment Request

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 Office of Workers' Compensation Programs is soliciting 
comments concerning the proposed collection: Rehabilitation Plan and 
Award (OWCP-16). 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 March 14, 2011.

ADDRESSES: Mr. Vincent Alvarez, U.S. Department of Labor, 200 
Constitution Ave., NW., Room S-3201, Washington, DC 20210, telephone 
(202) 693-0372, fax (202) 693-1378, E-mail [email protected]. 
Please use only one method of transmission for comments (mail, fax, or 
E-mail).

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Background

    The Office of Workers' Compensation Programs (OWCP) is the agency 
responsible for administration of the Longshore and Harbor Workers' 
Compensation Act (LHWCA), 33 U.S.C. 901 et seq., and the Federal 
Employees' Compensation Act (FECA), 5 U.S.C. 8101 et seq. Both of these 
Acts authorize OWCP to pay for approved vocational rehabilitation 
services to eligible workers with work-related disabilities. In order 
to decide whether to approve a rehabilitation plan, OWCP must receive a 
copy of the plan, supporting vocational testing materials and the 
estimated cost to implement the plan, broken down to show the fees, 
supplies, tuition and worker maintenance payments that are 
contemplated. OWCP also must receive the signatures of the worker and 
the rehabilitation counselor to show that the worker agrees to follow 
the proposed plan, and that the proposed plan is appropriate. Form 
OWCP-16 is the standard format for the collection of this information. 
The regulations implementing these statutes allow for the collection of 
information needed for OWCP to determine if a rehabilitation plan 
should be approved and payment of any related expenses should be 
authorized. This information collection is currently approved for use 
through May 31, 2011.

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.

[[Page 2422]]

III. Current Actions

    The Department of Labor seeks approval for the extension of this 
currently approved information collection in order to determine if a 
rehabilitation plan should be approved and payment of any related 
expenses authorized.
    Type of Review: Extension.
    Agency: Office of Workers' Compensation Programs.
    Title: Rehabilitation Plan and Award.
    OMB Number: 1240-0045.
    Agency Number: OWCP-16.
    Affected Public: Individual or households; Businesses or other for-
profit.
    Total Respondents: 5,500.
    Total Responses: 5,500.
    Time per Response: 30 minutes.
    Estimated Total Burden Hours: 2,750.
    Total Burden Cost (capital/startup): $0.
    Total Burden Cost (operating/maintenance): $2,585.
    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: January 7, 2011.
Vincent Alvarez,
Agency Clearance Officer, Office of Workers' Compensation Programs, 
U.S. Department of Labor.
[FR Doc. 2011-631 Filed 1-12-11; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4510-CR-P