[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 123 (Tuesday, June 25, 1996)]
[Notices]
[Pages 32859-32860]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-16162]
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DEPARTMENT OF LABOR
Mine Safety and Health Administration
Proposed Information Collection Request Submitted for Public
Comment and Recommendations; Notification of Methane Detected in Mine
Atmosphere
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 reinstatement of the
information collection related to the Notification of Methane Detected
in Mine Atmospheres. 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 below in the contact section
of this notice.
DATES: Submit written comments to the office listed in the ADDRESSES
section below on or before August 26, 1996.
ADDRESSES: Written comments shall be mailed 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 gfesak@msha.gov (Internet E-mail),
(703) 235-8378 (voice), or (703) 235-1563 (facsimile).
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
I. Background
Sections 103 (c), (i), and (j) of the Federal Mine Safety and
Health Act of 1977 authorized the recordkeeping and reporting
requirements implemented in 30 CFR Part 57, Subpart T--Safety Standards
for Methane in Metal and Nonmetal mines. Methane is a flammable gas
found in underground mining. Methane is a colorless, odorless,
tasteless gas, and it tends to rise to the roof of a mine because it is
lighter than air. Although methane itself is nontoxic, its presence
reduces the oxygen content by dilution when mixed with air, and
consequently can act as an asphyxiant when present in large quantities.
Methane mixed with air is explosive in the range of 5 to 15 percent,
provided that 12 percent or more oxygen is present. The presence of
dust containing volatile matter in the mine atmosphere may further
enhance the explosion potential of methane in a mine.
Metal and Nonmetal mine operators are required to notify MSHA when:
(a) There is an outburst that results in 0.25 percent or more methane
in the mine atmosphere; (b) there is a blowout that results in 0.25
percent or more methane in the mine atmosphere; (c) there is an
ignition of methane; (d) air sample results indicate 0.25 percent or
more methane in the atmosphere of a Subcategory I-B, I-C, II-B, V-B, or
Category VI mine, or (e) methane reaches 2.0 percent in a Category IV
mine. MSHA investigates the occurrence to determine that the mine is
placed in the proper category to follow appropriate precautionary
standards.
[[Page 32860]]
II. Current Actions
MSHA is seeking to continue the certification and notification of
methane detected in mine atmosphere.
Type of Review: Reinstatement (without change).
Agency: Mine Safety and Health Administration.
Title: Notification of Methane Detected in Mine Atmosphere.
OMB Number: 1219-0103.
Recordkeeping: Certification of examinations shall be kept for at
least one year.
Affected Public: Business or other for-profit
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Total Total Average time/ Burden
Cite/reference respondents Frequency responses response hours
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57.22004........................ 1 Annual.............. 1 1 hour............. 1
57.22229 and 57.22230........... 7 Weekly.............. 364 5 min.............. 30
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Totals.................... 8 .................... 365 1.083 hour......... 31
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Estimated Total Burden Cost: $2,496.
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 17, 1996.
Donald Henderliter,
Acting Director, Program Evaluation and Information Resources.
[FR Doc. 96-16162 Filed 6-24-96; 8:45 am]
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