01-16549. Proposed Information Collection Request Submitted for Public Comment and Recommendations; Certificate of Training, MSHA Form 5000-23

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 August 31, 2001.

ADDRESSES:

Send comments to Lynnette M. Haywood, Deputy Director, Administration and Management, 4015 Wilson Boulevard, Room 611, Arlington, VA 22203-1984. Commenters are encouraged to send their comments on a computer disk, or via Internet E-mail to lhaywood&msha.gov, along with an original printed copy. Ms. Haywood can be reached at [phone] (voice), or [phone] (facsimile).

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Lynnette M. Haywood, Deputy Director, Administration and Management, U.S. Department of Labor, Mine Safety and Health Administration, Room 611, 4015 Wilson Boulevard, Arlington, VA 22203-1984. Ms. Haywood can be reached at [e-mail] (Internet E-mail), [phone] (voice), or [phone] (facsimile).

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Background

Section 115(a) of the Mine Act requires that each mine operator have a program approved by the Secretary for training miners in the health and safety aspects of mining. Section 115(c) requires (a) that the mine operator certify on a form approved by the Secretary that the miner has received the specified training in each subject area of the approved health and safety training plan; (b) that the certificates be maintained by the operator and be available for inspection at the mine site; and (c) that the miner is entitled to a copy of the certificate upon completion of the training and when he leaves the operator's employ. Title 30, CFR Part 48 implements Section 115 of the Act by setting forth the requirements for obtaining approval of training programs and specifying the kinds of training, including refresher and hazard training, which must be provided to the miners.

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 Certificate of Training, MSHA Form 5000-23. 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 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 submission (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

MSHA Form 5000-23, Certificate of Training, is used by mine operators to record mandatory training received by miners. Each form provides the mine operator with a recordkeeping document, the miner with a certificate of training, and MSHA a monitoring tool for determining compliance requirement.

Type of Review: Extension.

Agency: Mine Safety and Health Administration.

Title: Certificate of Training, MSHA Form 5000-23.

OMB Number: 1219-0070.

Agency Number: MSHA Form 5000-23.

Recordkeeping: Two years or 60 days after termination of employment.

Affected Public: Business or other for-profit institutions

Cite/reference	Total respondents	Frequency	Total responses	Average time per response	Burden hours
48.9 and 48.29	3,730	Annually	105,040	0.08 (hours)	8,393

Estimated Total Burden Cost: $210,074.

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: June 26, 2001.

Lynnette M. Haywood

Deputy Director, Administration and Management.