                                                         BILLING CODE 6560-50-P
 
 ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
 
[EPA-HQ-OPPT-2016-0264; FRL-XXXXX-XX]
 
Agency Information Collection Activities; Proposed Renewal of an Existing Collection (EPA ICR No. 1246.14 and OMB Control No. 2070-0072); Comment Request
 AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
 
 ACTION: Notice.
 
SUMMARY: 	EPA has submitted the following information collection request (ICR) to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for review and approval in accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA): "Reporting and Recordkeeping for Asbestos Abatement Worker Protection" and identified by EPA ICR No. 1246.14 and OMB Control No. 2070-0072. 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 in this document. EPA did receive one comment in response to the previously provided public review opportunity issued in the Federal Register on May 20, 2020 (85 FR 98). However, the comment was not germane to the ICR. With this submission, EPA is providing an additional 30 days for public review.
DATES:  Comments must be received on or before [INSERT DATE 30 DAYS AFTER DATE OF PUBLICATION IN THE FEDERAL REGISTER].
ADDRESSES: Submit your comments, referencing Docket ID No. EPA-HQ-OPPT-2016-0264 by one of the following methods:
	:: Federal eRulemaking Portal: http://www.regulations.gov. Follow the online instructions for submitting comments. Do not submit electronically any information you consider to be Confidential Business Information (CBI) or other information whose disclosure is restricted by statute.
	:: Mail: Document Control Office (7407M), Office of Pollution Prevention and Toxics (OPPT), Environmental Protection Agency, 1200 Pennsylvania Ave., NW., Washington, DC 20460-0001.
	:: Hand Delivery: To make special arrangements for hand delivery or delivery of boxed information, please follow the instructions at http://www.epa.gov/dockets/contacts.html.
 FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Sarah Cox, National Program Chemicals Division, Office of Pollution Prevention and Toxics, Environmental Protection Agency, 1200 Pennsylvania Ave., NW., Washington, DC 20460-0001; telephone number: (202) 564-3961; email address: cox.sarah@epa.gov.
 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 number:  EPA ICR No. 1246.14.
OMB control number: OMB Control No. 2070-0072.
ICR status: This ICR is currently approved through December 31, 2020. 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 regulations in title 40 of the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) 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:  The 2000 Asbestos Worker Protection Rule (40 CFR part 763, subpart G) (hereafter referred to as the "2000 WPR," or simply "WPR") establishes 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 24 states, the District of Columbia (D.C.), and three additional U.S. territories (D.C. 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 EPA's WPR. The WPR incorporates, by reference, the OSHA Construction Industry Standard for Asbestos (29 CFR part 1926.1101) and the General Industry Standard for Asbestos (29 CFR part 1910.1001); see Attachments D and E respectively. As a result, the WPR 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. The total burden of the information collection is 372,969 hours, with a per-response burden of 0.32 hours, or 19.2 minutes.
	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: States and local govern - ment employers in the 24 states, D.C., and the U.S. territories of American Samoa, Guam, and the Northern Mariana Islands that have employees en - gaged in asbestos-related construction, custodial, and brake and clutch repair activities without OSHA-approved state plans
Estimated total number of potential respondents: 25,312
Frequency of response:  On occasion.
Estimated total annual burden: 372,969 hours
Estimated total annual costs:  $16,894,178
III.  Are There Changes in the Estimates from the Last Approval?
	There was no change from the burden hours from the last approval. Estimated annual costs showed an increase of $1.13 million due to increasing wage rates.
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 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: Click or tap to enter eSignature date.
Alexandra Dapolito Dunn,
 Assistant Administrator, Office of Chemical Safety and Pollution Prevention.
