[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 26 (Wednesday, February 7, 1996)]
[Notices]
[Pages 4682-4683]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-2535]
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DEPARTMENT OF LABOR
Mine Safety and Health Administration
Proposed Information Collection Request Submitted for Public
Comment and Recommendations; Qualification and Certification Program
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 proposed extension of the
information collection related to the ``Qualification and Certification
Program.'' A copy of the proposed information collection request can be
obtained by contacting the employee listed below in the Addressee
section of this notice.
DATES: Written comments must be submitted on or before April 8, 1996.
The Department of Labor is particularly interested in 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.
ADDRESSEE: Patricia W. Silvey, Mine Safety and Health Administration,
Office of Standards, Regulations, and Variances, 4015 Wilson Boulevard,
Room 627, Arlington, VA 22203. For further information, contact Ms.
Silvey at 703-235-1910 (this is not a toll-free number).
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
I. Background
Persons performing tasks and certain required examinations at coal
mines which are related to miner safety and health, and which require
specialized experience, are required to be either ``certified'' or
``qualified'' to carry out these duties. The regulations recognize
State certification and qualification programs. However, where state
programs are not available, under the Mine Act and MSHA standards, the
Secretary may certify and qualify persons for as long as they continue
to satisfy the requirements needed to obtain the certification or
qualification, fulfill any applicable retraining requirements, and
remain employed at the same mine or by the same independent contractor.
Applications for Secretarial certification must be submitted to the
MSHA Qualification and Certification Unit in Denver, Colorado. Forms
5000-4 and 5000-7 provide the coal mining industry with a standardized
reporting format which expedites the certification process while
ensuring compliance with the regulations. The information provided on
the forms enables the Secretary of Labor's delegate--MSHA,
Qualification and Certification Unit--to determine if the applicants
satisfy the requirements to obtain the certification or qualification.
Persons must meet certain minimum experience requirements depending on
the type of certification or qualification applied for.
II. Current Actions
This request for collection of information contains provisions
whereby persons may be temporarily qualified or certified to perform
tests and examinations; requiring specialized expertise; related to
miner safety and health at coal mines.
Type of Review: Reinstatement (without change).
Agency: Mine Safety and Health Administration.
Title: Qualification and Certification Program.
OMB Number: 1219-0069.
Agency Number: MSHA Forms 5000-4 and 5000-7.
Affected Public: Businesses of other for-profit.
Citations: 30 CFR 75.10, 75.155, 77.100 and 77.105.
[[Page 4683]]
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Total Average time Burden
Forms Respondents Frequency responses per response hours
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5000-4 565 On 1,456........ 10 min. 243..........
occass.
5000-7 59 On 180.......... 8.5 min. 26...........
occass.
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Totals 624 1,636 269
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* Frequency for each form has changed from ``semi-annually'' to ``on
occasion'' because the certification is good for as long as this
person continues to satisfy the requirements necessary for
qualification and is employed at the same mine or by the same
independent contractor.
Estimated Total Burden Hours = 269
Estimated Burden Costs = $7,207
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: January 30, 1996.
George Fesak,
Director, Program Evaluation and Information Resources.
[FR Doc. 96-2535 Filed 2-6-96; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4510-43-M
