83 FR 9869 - Division of Longshore and Harbor Workers' Compensation; Proposed Renewal of Existing Collection; Comment Request

DEPARTMENT OF LABOR
Office of Workers' Compensation Programs

Federal Register Volume 83, Issue 46 (March 8, 2018)

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. 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 (OWCP) is soliciting comments concerning the proposed collection: Notice of Controversion of Right to Compensation (LS-207). A copy of the proposed information collection request can be obtained by contacting the office listed below in the address section of this Notice.

[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 46 (Thursday, March 8, 2018)]
[Notices]
[Pages 9869-9870]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2018-04684]


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DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Office of Workers' Compensation Programs


Division of Longshore and Harbor Workers' Compensation; Proposed 
Renewal 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. 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 
(OWCP) is soliciting comments concerning the proposed collection: 
Notice of Controversion of Right to Compensation (LS-207). A copy of 
the proposed information collection request can be obtained by 
contacting the office listed below in the address section of this 
Notice.

DATES: Written comments must be submitted to the office listed in the 
addresses section below on or before May 7, 2018.

ADDRESSES: You may submit comments by mail, delivery service, or by 
hand to Ms. Yoon Ferguson, U.S. Department of Labor, 200 Constitution 
Ave. NW, Room S-3323, Washington, DC 20210; by fax to (202)354-9647; or 
by Email [email protected]. Please use only one method of 
transmission for comments (mail/delivery, fax, or Email). Please note 
that comments submitted after the comment period will not be 
considered.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

[[Page 9870]]

I. Background

    The Office of Workers' Compensation Programs (OWCP) administers the 
Longshore and Harbor Workers' Compensation Act (LHWCA). The Act 
provides benefits to workers' injured in maritime employment on the 
navigable waters of the United States or in an adjoining area 
customarily used by an employer in loading, unloading, repairing, or 
building a vessel. In addition, several acts extend the Longshore Act's 
coverage to certain other employees. Pursuant to section 914(d) of the 
Longshore Act, and 20CFR702.251, if an employer controverts the right 
to compensation, he/she shall file with the district director in the 
affected compensation district on or before the fourteenth day after 
he/she has knowledge of the alleged injury or death, a notice, in 
accordance with a form prescribed by the Secretary, stating that the 
right to compensation is controverted. Form LS-207 has been designated 
for this purpose. Form LS-207 is used by insurance carriers and self-
insured employers to controvert claims under the Longshore Act and 
extensions. The information is used by OWCP district offices to 
determine the basis for not paying benefits in a case. This information 
collection is currently approved for use through May 31, 2018.

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 extension of approval of this 
information collection in order to carry out its responsibility to meet 
the statutory requirements to provide compensation or death benefits 
under the Act to workers covered by the Act.
    Agency: Office of Workers' Compensation Programs.
    Type of Review: Extension.
    Title: Notice of Controversion of Right to Compensation.
    OMB Number: 1240-0042.
    Agency Number: LS-207.
    Affected Public: Business or other for-profit.
    Total Respondents: 600.
    Total Annual Responses: 18,000.
    Estimated Total Burden Hours: 4,500.
    Estimated Time Per Response: 15 minutes.
    Frequency: On occasion.
    Total Burden Cost (capital/startup): $0.
    Total Burden Cost (operating/maintenance): $8,299.80.
    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: February 27, 2018.
Yoon Ferguson,
Agency Clearance Officer, Office of Workers' Compensation Programs, 
U.S. Department of Labor.
[FR Doc. 2018-04684 Filed 3-7-18; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4510-CF-P