97-16496. Proposed Information Collection Request Submitted for Public Comment and Recommendations; Record of Examination for Hazardous Conditions  

  • [Federal Register Volume 62, Number 121 (Tuesday, June 24, 1997)]
    [Notices]
    [Pages 34083-34084]
    From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
    [FR Doc No: 97-16496]
    
    
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    DEPARTMENT OF LABOR
    
    Mine Safety and Health Administration
    
    
    Proposed Information Collection Request Submitted for Public 
    Comment and Recommendations; Record of Examination for Hazardous 
    Conditions
    
    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,
    
    [[Page 34084]]
    
    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 Record of Examination for 
    Hazardous Conditions. MSHA 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.
        A copy of the proposed information collection request can be 
    obtained by contacting the employee listed in the For Further 
    Information Contact section of this notice.
    
    DATES: Submit comments on or before August 25, 1997.
    
    ADDRESSES: Send comments to Patricia W. Silvey, Director, Office of 
    Standards, Regulations, and Variances, 4015 Wilson Boulevard, Room 627, 
    Arlington, VA 22203-1984. Comments 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 gfesak@msha.gov 
    (Internet E-mail), (703) 235-8378 (voice), or (703) 235-1563 
    (facsimile).
    
    SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
    
    I. Background
    
        Coal mine operators are required by 30 CFR 77.1713 to conduct 
    examinations of each active working area of surface mines, active 
    surface installations at these mines, and preparation plants not 
    associated with underground coal mines for hazardous conditions during 
    each shift. A report of any hazardous conditions detected must be 
    entered into a record book, along with a description of any corrective 
    actions taken.
        A number of potential hazards can exist at surface coal mines and 
    facilities. Highwalls, mining equipment, travelways, and the handling 
    of mining materials each present possible hazardous conditions. Since 
    promulgation of 30 CFR 77.1713 in 1971, numerous miners have either 
    lost their lives at the areas affected by the subject standard or 
    received injuries of varying degrees of seriousness. The majority of 
    the injuries and fatalities resulted from hazardous conditions that had 
    not been detected or corrected.
    
    II. Current Actions
    
        By conducting an on-shift examination for hazardous conditions, the 
    mine operator better guarantees a safe working environment for the 
    miners and a reduction in accidents. Examinations for hazardous 
    conditions are required to be conducted each shift. To do so less 
    frequently could allow unsafe conditions to go undetected that might 
    result in an accident.
        Type of Review: Extension.
        Agency: Mine Safety and Health Administration.
        Title: Record of Examination for Hazardous Conditions.
        OMB Number: 1219-0083.
        Affected Public: Business or other for-profit institutions.
        Cite/Reference/Form/etc: 30 CFR 77.1713.
        Total Respondents: 1,818.
        Frequency: On occasion.
        Total Responses: 616,302.
        Average Time per Response: 1.5 hours.
        Estimated Total Burden Hours: 924,453.
        Estimated Total Burden Hour Cost: $38,827,026.
        Estimated Total Burden Cost (capital/startup): $0.
        Estimated Total Burden Cost (operating/maintaining): $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: June 18, 1997.
    George M. Fesak,
    Director, Program Evaluation and Information Resources.
    [FR Doc. 97-16496 Filed 6-23-97; 8:45 am]
    BILLING CODE 4510-43-M
    
    
    

Document Information

Published:
06/24/1997
Department:
Mine Safety and Health Administration
Entry Type:
Notice
Action:
Notice.
Document Number:
97-16496
Dates:
Submit comments on or before August 25, 1997.
Pages:
34083-34084 (2 pages)
PDF File:
97-16496.pdf