2011-4511. Agency Information Collection Activities; Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request; Qualification/Certification Program Request for Mine Safety and Health Administration Individual Identification Number

ACTION:

Notice.

SUMMARY:

The Department of Labor (DOL) is submitting the Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) sponsored information collection request (ICR) titled, “Qualification/Certification Program Request for MSHA Individual Identification Number (MIIN),” to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for review and approval for continued use in accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (Pub. L. 104-13, 44 U.S.C. chapter 35).

DATES:

Submit comments on or before March 31, 2011.

ADDRESSES:

A copy of this ICR, with applicable supporting documentation; including a description of the likely respondents, proposed frequency of response, and estimated total burden may be obtained from the RegInfo.gov Web site, http://www.reginfo.gov/​public/​do/​PRAMain,, on the day following publication of this notice or by contacting Michel Smyth by telephone at 202-693-4129 (this is not a toll-free number) or sending an e-mail to [e-mail].

Submit comments about this request to the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs, Attn: OMB Desk Officer for the U.S. Department of Labor, Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA), Office of Management and Budget, Room 10235, Washington, DC 20503, Telephone: [phone]/Fax: [phone] (these are not toll-free numbers), e-mail: [e-mail].

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION: Contact Michel Smyth by telephone at 202-693-4129 (this is not a toll-free number) or by e-mail at [e-mail].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

The MSHA issues certifications, qualifications, and approvals (licenses) to the nation's miners to conduct specific work within mines. Prior to the approval of this collection Social Security Numbers (SSNs) were used for tracking purposes within MSHA data processing systems, in the absence of other reliable identification systems. In the effort to reduce use of SSNs both by the MSHA and third parties, the MSHA has changed the process to one in which miners requiring a license or benefit from the MSHA will register for a MIIN. This unique number is used in place of individual SSNs for all licensing requirements within the MSHA. This process has allowed the MSHA to discontinue the past practice of individuals supplying their personally identifiable information to instructors, states or other entities, which in turn supplied that information to the MSHA. Miners needing a license or benefit from the MSHA will need to register only one time to obtain their MIINs.

This information collection is subject to the PRA. A Federal agency generally cannot conduct or sponsor a collection of information, and the public is generally not required to respond to an information collection, unless it is approved by the OMB under the PRA and displays a currently valid OMB Control Number. In addition, notwithstanding any other provisions of law, no person shall generally be subject to penalty for failing to comply with a collection of information if the collection of information does not display a currently valid OMB control number. See 5 CFR 1320.5(a) and 1320.6. The DOL obtains OMB approval for this information collection under OMB Control Number 1219-0143. The current OMB approval is scheduled to expire on February 28, 2011; however, it should be noted that information collections submitted to the OMB receive a month-to-month extension while they undergo review. For additional information, see the related notice published in the Federal Register on December 17, 2010 (75 FR 79029).

Interested parties are encouraged to send comments to the OMB, Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs at the address shown in the ADDRESSES section within 30 days of publication of this notice in the Federal Register. In order to ensure appropriate consideration, comments should reference OMB Control Number 1219-0143. The OMB is particularly interested in comments that:

• 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 submission of responses.

Agency: Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA).

Title of Collection: Qualification/Certification Program Request for MSHA Individual Identification Number (MIIN).

OMB Control Number: 1219-0143.

Affected Public: Private sector—businesses or other for-profits.

Total Estimated Number of Respondents: 11,000.

Total Estimated Number of Responses: 11,000.

Total Estimated Annual Burden Hours: 916.

Total Estimated Annual Costs Burden: $5,170.

Dated: February 23, 2011.

Michel Smyth,

Departmental Clearance Officer.