SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Background

The Secretary of Labor has delegated to the BLS the authority to collect, compile, and analyze statistical data on work-related injuries and illnesses, as authorized by the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970 (Pub. L. 91-596). The Cooperative Agreement is designed to allow the BLS to ensure conformance with program objectives. The BLS has full authority over the financial operations of the statistical program. The existing collection of information allows Federal staff to negotiate the Cooperative Agreement with the State Grant Agencies (SGAs) and monitor their financial and programmatic performance and adherence to administrative requirements imposed by the Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards (2 CFR 200) and other grant related regulations. The information collected also is used for planning and budgeting at the Federal level and in meeting Federal reporting requirements. The BLS requires financial reporting that will produce the information that is needed to monitor the financial activities of the BLS Occupational Safety and Health Statistics grantees.

II. Current Action

Office of Management and Budget clearance is being sought for the OSHS Cooperative Agreement application package. The extension of this collection of information will allow the BLS to incorporate routine annual updates to the Cooperative Agreement and work statements which define SGA deliverables and requirements and allow the BLS to carry out its responsibilities to monitor financial and programmatic performance.

The Cooperative Agreement application package being submitted for approval is representative of the package sent every year to state agencies. The work statements included in the Cooperative Agreement application also are representative of what is included in the whole OSHS Cooperative Agreement package. The final Cooperative Agreement, including the work statements, will be submitted separately to the Office of Management and Budget for review of any minor year-to-year information collection burden changes they may contain.

III. Desired Focus of Comments

The BLS is particularly interested in comments that:

• 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.
• 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.

Title of Collection: BLS Occupational Safety and Health Statistics (OSHS) Cooperative Agreement Application Package.

OMB Number: 1220-0149.

Type of Review: Extension of a currently approved collection.

Affected Public: State, Local, or Tribal Governments.

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 also will become a matter of public record.

88 FR 85657