04-22682. Proposed Information Collection Request Submitted for Public Comment and Recommendations; Rock Burst Control Plan

ACTION:

Notice.

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 ensure that requested data is 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.

DATES:

Submit comments on or before December 7, 2004.

ADDRESSES:

Send comments to Melissa Stoehr, Acting Chief, Records Management Branch, 1100 Wilson Boulevard, Room 2134, Arlington, VA 22209-3939. Commenters are encouraged to send their comments on computer disk, or via e-mail to [e-mail]. Ms. Stoehr can be reached at [phone] (voice), or [phone] (facsimile).

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Contact the employee listed in the ADDRESSES section of this notice.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Background

When rock bursts occur in an underground mine, they pose a serious threat to the safety of miners in the area affected by the burst. These bursts may reasonably be expected to result in the entrapment, serious physical harm, or death, of miners. Recently developed mining technology now permits mine operators to monitor rock stresses, which helps predict an impending burst. These predictions can be used by a mine operator to move miners to safer locations and to establish areas that need relief drilling. Title 30, Section 57.3461 requires operators of underground metal and nonmetal mines to develop a rock burst control plan within 90 days after a rock burst has occurred.

II. Desired Focus of Comments

Currently, the Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) is soliciting comments concerning the proposed extension of the information collection requirement related to the Rock Burst Control Plans. MSHA is particularly interested in comments that:

* Evaluate whether the proposed collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of MSHA's functions, including whether the information has practical utility;

* Evaluate the accuracy of MSHA's estimate of the burden of the proposed collection of information, including the validity of the methodology and assumptions used;

* Suggest methods to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected; and

* Address 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)to minimize the burden of the collection of information on those who are to respond.

A copy of the proposed information collection request can be obtained by contacting the employee listed in the ADDRESSES section of this notice or viewed on the Internet by accessing the MSHA home page (http://www.msha.gov) and then choosing “Statutory and Regulatory Information” and “Federal Register Documents.”

III. Current Actions

This information collection needs to be extended to protect miners from entrapment, serious physical harm, or death, in metal and nonmetal underground mines with a history of rock bursts.

Type of Review: Extension.

Agency: Mine Safety and Health Administration.

Title: Rock Burst Control Plans.

OMB Number: 1219-0097.

Recordkeeping: The control plan must be maintained at all times and updated as conditions warrant.

Affected Public: Business or other for-profit.

Frequency: On occasion.

Cite/Reference/Form/etc: 30 CFR 57.3461.

Total Respondents: 2.

Total Responses: 2.

Average Time per Response: 12 hours.

Estimated Total Burden Hours: 24 hours.

Total Annualized Capital/Startup Costs: $0.

Total Operating and Maintenance Costs: $0.

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 at Arlington, Virginia, this first day of October, 2004.

David L. Meyer,

Director, Office of Administration and Management.