03-18091. Proposed Information Collection Request Submitted for Public Comment and Recommendations; Escape and Evacuation Plans

ACTION:

Notice.

SUMMARY:

The Department of Labor, as part of its continuing effort to reduce paperwork and respondent burden conducts a pre-clearance 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 extension of the information collection related to the 30 CFR Sections 77.1101; Escape and Evacuation Plans.

DATES:

Submit comments on or before September 15, 2003.

ADDRESSES:

Send comments to Jane Tarr, Management Analyst, Administration and Management, 1100 Wilson Boulevard, Room 2171, Arlington, VA 22209-3939. Commenters are encouraged to send their comments on computer disk, or via Internet e-mail to [e-mail]. Ms. Tarr can be reached at [phone] (voice), or [phone] (facsimile).

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Jane Tarr, Management Analyst, Records Management Group, U.S. Department of Labor, Mine Safety and Health Administration, Room 2171, 1100 Wilson Boulevard, Arlington, VA 22209-3939. Ms. Tarr can be reached at [e-mail] (Internet e-mail), [phone] (voice), or [phone] (facsimile).

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Background

Section 77.1101(a) requires operators of surface coal mines and surface work areas of underground coal mines to establish and keep current a specific escape and evacuation plan to be followed in the event of a fire. Section 77.1101(b) requires that all employees be instructed in current escape and evacuation plans, fire alarm signals, and applicable procedures to be followed in case of fire. The training and record keeping requirements associated with this standard are addressed under OMB No. 1219-0070 (Certificate of Training, MSHA Form 5000-23).

Section 77.1101(c) requires escape and evacuation plans to include the designation and proper maintenance of an adequate means for exiting areas where persons are required to work or travel, including buildings, equipment, and areas where persons normally congregate during the work shift.

While escape and evacuation plans are not subject to approval by MSHA district managers, MSHA inspectors evaluate the adequacy of the plans during their inspections of surface coal mines and surface work areas of underground coal mines.

II. Desired Focus of Comments

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, 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

MSHA proposes to continue the information collection requirement related to escape and evacuation plans for surface coal mines and surface work areas of underground coal mines for an additional 3 years. MSHA believes that eliminating these requirements would expose miners to unnecessary risk of injury or death should a fire occur at or near their work location.

Type of Review: Extension.

Agency: Mine Safety and Health Administration.

Title: Escape and Evacuation Plans.

OMB Number: 1219-0051.

Recordkeeping: Indefinite.

Frequency: On occasion.

Affected Public: Business or other for-profit.

Respondents: 183.

Average Time Per Respondent: 4.8 hours.

Total Burden Hours: 878 hours.

Total Burden Cost (capital/startup): $0.

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 at Arlington, VA, this 8th day of July, 2003.

David L. Meyer,

Director, Office of Administration and Management.