2013-05159. Proposed Extension of Existing Information Collection; Emergency Mine Evacuation

AGENCY:

Mine Safety and Health Administration, Labor.

ACTION:

Request for public comments.

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 continuing collections of information in accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995. This program helps to assure 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 is soliciting comments concerning the extension of the information collection for 30 CFR 48.3, Training plans; time of submission; where filed; information required; time for approval; method for disapproval; commencement of training; approval of instructors, 30 CFR 75.1502, Mine emergency evacuation and firefighting program of instruction, 30 CFR 75.1504, Mine emergency evacuation training and drills, 30 CFR 75.1505, Escapeway maps, 30 CFR 75.1714-3, Self-rescue devices; inspection, testing, maintenance, repair, and recordkeeping, 30 CFR 75.1714-4, Storage of self-contained self-rescuers (SCSRs) in hardened rooms, 30 CFR 75.1714-5, Map locations of SCSRs, and 30 CFR 75.1714-8, Reporting SCSR inventory and malfunctions; retention of SCSRs.

DATES:

All comments must be postmarked or received by midnight Eastern Standard Time on May 6, 2013.

ADDRESSES:

Comments concerning the information collection requirements of this notice must be clearly identified with “OMB 1219-0141” and sent to the Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA). Comments may be sent by any of the methods listed below.

• Federal E-Rulemaking Portal: http://www.regulations.gov. Follow the on-line instructions for submitting comments.
• Facsimile: 202-693-9441, include “OMB 1219-0141” in the subject line of the message.
• Regular Mail or Hand Delivery: MSHA, Office of Standards, Regulations, and Variances, 1100 Wilson Boulevard, Room 2350, Arlington, VA 22209-3939. For hand delivery, sign in at the receptionist's desk on the 21st floor.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Greg Moxness, Chief, Economic Analysis Division, Office of Standards, Regulations, and Variances, MSHA, at [e-mail] (email); 202-693-9440 (voice); or 202-693-9441 (facsimile).

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Background

The Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) issued a final rule addressing emergency mine evacuation in 2006. This regulation included requirements for immediate accident notification applicable to all mines. In addition, it contained requirements for new and expanded training, including evacuation drills; self-contained self-rescuer (SCSR) storage, training, and use; and the installation and maintenance of lifelines in underground coal mines.

II. Desired Focus of Comments

The Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) is soliciting comments concerning the proposed extension of the information collection related to emergency mine evacuation. MSHA is particularly interested in comments that:

• Evaluate whether the collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the agency, including whether the information has practical utility;
• Evaluate the accuracy of the MSHA's estimate of the burden of the collection of information, including the validity of the methodology and assumptions used;
• Suggest methods to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected; and
• Address 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), to minimize the burden of the collection of information on those who are to respond.

The public may examine publicly available documents, including the public comment version of the supporting statement, at MSHA, Office of Standards, Regulations, and Variances, 1100 Wilson Boulevard, Room 2350, Arlington, VA 22209-3939. OMB clearance requests are available on MSHA's Web site at http://www.msha.gov under “Federal Register Documents” on the right side of the screen by selecting New and Existing Information Collections and Supporting Statements. The document will be available on MSHA's Web site for 60 days after the publication date of this notice. Comments submitted in writing or in electronic form will be made available for public inspection. Because comments will not be edited to remove any identifying or contact information, MSHA cautions the commenter against including any information in the submission that should not be publicly disclosed. Questions about the information collection requirements may be directed to the person listed in the FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT section of this notice.

III. Current Actions

The information obtained from mine operators is used by MSHA during inspections to determine compliance with safety and health standards. MSHA has updated the data in respect to the number of respondents and responses, as well as the total burden hours and burden costs supporting this information collection extension request.

MSHA does not intend to publish the results from this information collection and is not seeking approval to either display or not display the expiration date for the OMB approval of this information collection.

There are no certification exceptions identified with this information collection and the collection of this information does not employ statistical methods.

Summary

Type of Review: Extension.

Agency: Mine Safety and Health Administration.

Title: Emergency Mine Evacuation.

OMB Number: 1219-0141.

Affected Public: Business or other for-profit.

Cite/Reference/Form/etc: 30 CFR 48.3, 30 CFR 75.1502, 30 CFR 75.1504, 30 CFR 75.1505, 30 CFR 75.1714-3, 30 CFR 75.1714-4, 30 CFR 75.1714-5, 30 CFR 75.1714-8, and MSHA Form 2000-222.

Total Number of Respondents: 361.

Frequency: Various.

Total Number of Responses: 1,140,325.

Total Burden Hours: 450,840 hours.

Total Other Annual Cost Burden: $73,440.

Comments submitted in response to this notice will be summarized and 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.

Authority: 44 U.S.C. 3506(c)(2)(A).

Dated: March 1st, 2013.

George F. Triebsch,

Certifying Officer.