[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 211 (Friday, October 31, 1997)]
[Notices]
[Pages 58994-58995]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-28918]
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DEPARTMENT OF LABOR
Mine Safety and Health Administration
Proposed Information Collection Request Submitted for Public
Comment and Recommendations; Ventilation Plans, Tests, and Examinations
in Underground Coal Mines
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 Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) is
soliciting comments concerning the existing information collection
related to Ventilation Plans, Tests, and Examinations in Underground
Coal Mines. MSHA is particularly interested in comment 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 or responses.
A copy of the proposed information collection request can be
obtained by contracting the employee listed below in the For Further
Information Contact section of this notice.
DATES: Submit comments on or before December 30, 1997.
ADDRESSES: Send comments to Patricia W. Silvey, Director, Office of
Standards, Regulations, and Variances, 4015 Wilson Boulevard, Room 627,
Arlington, VA 22203-1984. Commenters are encouraged to send their
comments on a computer disk, or via E-mail to psilvey@msha.gov, along
with an original printed copy. Ms. Silvey can be reached at (703) 235-
1910 (voice) or (703) 235-5551 (facsimile).
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
George M. Fesak, Director, Office of Program Evaluation and Information
Resources, U.S. Department of Labor, Mine Safety and Health
Administration, Room 715, 4015 Wilson Boulevard, Arlington, VA 22203-
1984. Mr. Fesak can be reached at [email protected] (internet E-mail), (703)
235-8378 (voice), or (703) 235-1563 (facsimile).
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
I. Background
Underground coal mines usually present harsh and hostile working
environments. The ventilation system is the most vital life support
system in underground mining and a properly operating ventilation
system is essential for maintaining a safe and healthful working
environment. Lack of adequate ventilation in underground mines has
resulted in fatalities from asphyxiation and explosions.
An underground mine is a maze of tunnels that must be adequately
ventilated with fresh air to provide a safe environment for miners.
Methane is liberated from the strata, and noxious gases and dusts from
blasting and other mining activities may be present. The explosive and
noxious gases and dusts must be diluted, rendered harmless, and carried
to the surface by the ventilating currents. Sufficient air must be
provided to maintain the level of respirable dust at or below 2
milligrams per cubic meter of air and air quality must be maintained in
accordance with MSHA standards. Mechanical ventilation equipment of
sufficient capacity must operate at all times while miners are in the
mine. Ground conditions are subject to frequent changes, thus
sufficient tests and examinations are necessary to ensure the integrity
of the ventilation system and to detect any changes that any require
adjustments in the system. Records of tests and examinations are
necessary to ensure that the ventilation system is being maintained and
that changes which could adversely affect the integrity of the system
or the safety of the miners are not occurring. These examinations
requirements of 75.360 through 75.364 also incorporate examinations of
other critical aspects of the underground work environment such as roof
conditions and electrical equipment which have historically cased
numerous fatalities if not properly maintained and operated.
II. Current Actions
MSHA is seeking to continue the requirements for mine mine
ventilation plans, tests and examinations in underground coal mines.
The records give notice to mine management and the miners on the
oncoming shift on mine conditions, identify hazards on working sections
during the previous shift, and verify that proper ventilation is being
maintained. The information is available to all interested persons at
the mine to assure them that the integrity of the ventilation system is
being provided for the miners. MSHA inspectors use the records to
determine that tests and examinations, required by the regulations, are
made.
Type of Review: Revision.
Agency: Mine Safety and Health Administration.
Title: Ventilation Plans, Tests, and Examinations in Underground
Coal Mines.
Affected Public Business or other for-profit.
Cite/Reference/Form/etc: 30 CFR 75.310, 75.312, 75.342, 75.351,
75.360, 75.361, 75.362, 75.363, 75.364, 75.370 and 75.382.
[[Page 58995]]
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Burden hour
30 CFR section Respondents Burden hours cost
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75.310.......................................................... 980 7,523 $195,598
75.312.......................................................... 980 99,739 $2,593,214
75.312(c)(d).................................................... 980 3,920 $101,920
75.312(g)....................................................... 980 620 $16,120
75.312(g)(2)(ii)................................................ 23 46 $1,196
75.342.......................................................... 980 10,515 $273,390
75.351(h)....................................................... 60 5,984 $155,584
75.360.......................................................... 980 1,470,667 $38,641,870
75.361.......................................................... 980 7,500 $195,000
75.362.......................................................... 980 642,744 25,709,760
75.363.......................................................... 980 10,224 319,514
75.364.......................................................... 980 410,884 10,767,544
75.370.......................................................... 554 38,226 $1,509,264
75.382.......................................................... 300 15,000 $390,000
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Total..................................................... 10,737 2,723,592 80,869,974
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Frequency: On occasion; quarterly.
Average Time per Response: Varies from 5 minutes for countersigning
preshift examinations to 16 hours for updating mine ventilation plans.
Total Burden Cost (capital/startup): $0.
Total Burden Cost (operating/maintaining): $194,256.
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: October 27, 1997.
George M. Fesak,
Director, Program Evaluation and Information Resource.
[FR Doc. 97-28918 Filed 10-30-97; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4510-43-M
