Under 49 CFR part 272, Class I, intercity passenger, and commuter railroads are required to develop, and submit to FRA for approval, critical incident stress plans that provide for appropriate support services to be offered to their employees who are affected by a critical incident as defined in 49 CFR 272.9. This collection is used by FRA to ensure that railroads develop critical incident stress plans that meet the minimum standards of part 272 aimed at enhancing rail safety by reducing the Acute Stress Disorder and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder railroad employees suffer/may suffer after a critical incident. This information collection is mandatory, submitted as needed, and there is a requirement for recordkeeping.
The current OMB agency inventory for this information collection exhibits a total burden of 314 hours and 663 responses, while the present submission reflects a total burden of 467 hours and 5,064 responses. Hence, there is a total increase in burden of 153 hours and 4,401 responses.
FRA provided a thorough review of this package and determined many of our initial figures were based on rough estimates.
On behalf of this Federal agency, I certify that the collection of information encompassed by this request complies with 5 CFR 1320.9 and the related provisions of 5 CFR 1320.8(b)(3).
The following is a summary of the topics, regarding the proposed collection of information, that the certification covers:
(i) Why the information is being collected;
(ii) Use of information;
(iii) Burden estimate;
(iv) Nature of response (voluntary, required for a benefit, or mandatory);
(v) Nature and extent of confidentiality; and
(vi) Need to display currently valid OMB control number;
If you are unable to certify compliance with any of these provisions, identify the item by leaving the box unchecked and explain the reason in the Supporting Statement.