01-28974. Proposed Information Collection Request Submitted for Public Comment and Recommendations; Records of Tests and Examinations of Personnel Hoisting Equipment

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 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.

DATES:

Submit comments on or before January 22, 2002.

ADDRESSES:

Send comments to Gordon J. Burke, Jr., Director, Administration and Management, 4015 Wilson Boulevard, Room 615, 4015, Arlington, VA 22203-1984. Commenters are encouraged to send their comments on a computer disk, or via Internet E-mail to [e-mail], along with an original printed copy. Mr. Burke can be reached at [phone] (voice), or [phone] (facsimile).

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Charlene N. Barnard, Regulatory Specialist, Records Management Division, U.S. Department of Labor, Mine Safety and Health Administration, Room 725, 5014 Wilson Boulevard, Arlington, VA 22203-1984. Ms. Barnard can be reached at [e-mail] (Internet E-mail), [phone] (voice), or [phone] (facsimile).

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Background

These requirements provide for a record of specific test and inspections of a mines's personnel hoisting systems, including the wire rope, to ensure that the system remains safe to operate. Review of the record indicates whether deficiencies are developing in the equipment, in particular the wire rope, so that corrective action may be taken before an accident occurs. The requirements also provide for a systematic procedure for the inspection, testing, and maintenance of shaft and hoisting equipment. The mine operator must certify that the required inspections, tests, and maintenance have been made then record any unsafe condition identified during the examination or test.

The precise format in which the record is kept is left to the discretion of the mine operator. All records are made by the person conducting the required examination or test. Unless otherwise noted below, these records are to be retained for one year at the mine site.

II. Desired Focus of Comments

Currently, the Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) is soliciting comments concerning the proposed extension of the information collection related to the Records of Tests and Examinations of Personnel Hoisting Equipment. MSHA is particularly interested on comments 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 of responses.

A copy of the proposed information collection request may be viewed on the Internet by accessing the MSHA Home Page (http://www.msha.gov) and selecting “Statutory and Regulatory Information” then “Paperwork Reduction Act Submissions (http://www.msha.gov/​regspwork.htm)”, or by contacting the employee listed above in the FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT section of this notice for a hard copy.

III. Current Actions

The information is used by industry management and maintenance personnel to project the expected safe service performance of hoist and shaft equipment; to indicate when maintenance and specific tests need to be performed; and to ensure that wire rope attached to the personnel conveyance is replaced in time to maintain the necessary safety for miners. Federal inspectors use the records to ensure that inspections are conducted, unsafe conditions identified early and corrected. The consequence of hoist or shaft equipment malfunctions or wire rope failures can result in serious injuries and fatalities. It is essential that MSHA inspectors be able to verify that mine operators are properly inspecting their hoist and shaft equipment and maintaining it in safe condition.

Type of Review: Extension.

Agency: Mine Safety and Health Administration.

Title: Record of Tests and Examinations of Personnel Hoisting Equipment.

OMB Number: 1219-0034.

Affected Public: Business or other for-profit.

Frequency: On occasion.

Recordkeeping: One year.

Cite/reference	Total respondents	Frequency	Total responses	Average time per response (hours)	Burden hours*
Examination:
56/57.19023 (a) and (d)	96	Daily	22,360	20 minutes	7,379
56/57.19121	86	Weekly	4,472	10 minutes	745
56/57.19129	86	Bi-weekly	2,236	45 minutes	1,677
56/57.19131
56/57.19132
56/57.19133
56/57.19134
Recording:
56/57.19023 (a) and (d)	86	Daily	22,360	5 minutes	1,789
56/57.19121	86	Weekly	4,472	5 minutes	358
56/57.19129
56/57.19131	86	Bi-Weekly	2,236	5 minutes	179
56/57.19132
56/57.19133
56/57.19134
Examination:
56/57.19022	86	2/year	172	1 hour	172
56/57.19023(c)
56/57.19023(e)
Recording	86	2/year	172	9 minutes	26
Examination:
75.1400-4	174	Daily	135.720	20 minutes	44,788
75.1433(d)	174	Bi-weekly	9,048	20 minutes	2,986
75.1404	174	On occasion	17,383	4 hours	69,532
75.1433(d)	174	Semi Annually	626	1 hour	626
77.1906
Recording:
	174	Daily	45,240	5 minutes	3,619
	174	Bi-weekly	4,524	5 minutes	362
	174	On occasion	209	5 minutes	17
	174	Semi Annually	626	5 minutes	50
Examination: 75.1400-2	174	Bi-monthly	2,088	45 minutes	1,566
Recording	174	Bi-monthly	2,088	5 minutes	167
Total	260		276,032	2 hours	7,001,385
* Discrepancies due to rounding.

Total Annualized Capital/Startup Costs: $0.

Total Operating and Maintenance Costs: $208,800.

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: November 9, 2001.

Gordon J. Burke, Jr.,

Director, Administration and Management.