[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 64 (Tuesday, April 2, 1996)]
[Notices]
[Pages 14582-14583]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-7947]



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DEPARTMENT OF LABOR
[MSHA Form 7000-1]


Proposed Information Collection Request Submitted for Public 
Comment and Recommendations; Mine Accident, Injury, and Illness Report

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 extension of the 
information collection related to the ``Mine Accident, Injury, and 
Illness Report'' (MSHA Form 7000-1). 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 submission of responses.
    A copy of the proposed information collection request can be 
obtained by contacting the person 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 June 3, 1996.

ADDRESSES: Written comments shall be mailed to Patricia W. Silvey, 
Director, Office of Standards, Regulations, and Variances, U.S. 
Department of Labor, Mine Safety and Health Administration, 4015 Wilson 
Boulevard, Arlington, VA 22203-1984. Commenters are encouraged to send 
their comments on a computer disk, or via E-mail to [email protected], 
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 [email protected] 
(Internet E-mail), (703) 235-8378 (voice), or (703) 235-1563 
(facsimile).

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

I. Background

    Sections 103(d), (h), and (j) of the Federal Mine Safety and Health 
Act of 1977 authorize the recordkeeping and reporting requirements 
implemented in 30 CFR 50--Notification, Investigation, Reports and 
Records of Accidents, Injuries, Illnesses, Employment, and Coal 
Production in Mines. Part 50 consolidated the separate reporting 
systems under 30 CFR 80, which implemented sections 103(e), 111, and 
508 of the Federal Coal Mine Health and Safety Act of 1969 and 30 CFR 
58, which implemented sections 4 and 13 of the Federal Metal and 
Nonmetallic Mine Safety Act of 1966. In so doing, part 50 provided for 
uniform, industry-wide, mandatory reporting and recordkeeping 
requirements.
    Each mine operator is required to submit to MSHA a Mine Accident, 
Injury, and Illness Report (MSHA Form 7000-1) for each reportable 
accident, occupational injury, or illness within 10 working days after 
an accident or occupational injury occurs or an occupational illness is 
diagnosed. The MSHA form 7000-1 is one of two collection instruments 
(the other being the MSHA Form 7000-2( by which the Agency monitors its 
statutory mandate to reduce accidents, occupational injuries, and 
occupational illnesses among the nation's miners.
    Data obtained from this form and MSHA Form 7000-2 provide MSHA with 
timely information for making decisions on improving its safety and 
health enforcement programs, redirecting its education and training 
efforts, and establishing priorities for technical assistance 
activities in mine safety and health. Maintaining a current data base 
allows MSHA to effectively direct resources to improve safety and 
health in the mining industry. This data base provides a means for 
directing efforts to areas or mines where hazardous trends are 
developing. This cannot be done using historical data exclusively. 
Information collected using this form and the MSHA Form 7000-2 is the 
most comprehensive and reliable occupational data available concerning 
the mining industry.
    Data collected through these two forms enable MSHA to publish 
timely quarterly and annual statistics, reflecting current safety and 
health conditions in the mining industry. These data are used not only 
by MSHA, but also by other Federal and State agencies, health and 
safety researchers, and the mining community to assist in measuring and 
comparing the results of health and safety efforts both in the United 
States and internationally.

II. Current Actions

    MSHA is seeking to continue collection of mine accident, injury, 
and illness data through the use of this form. Although there has been 
a significant decline in the number of mining fatalities over the last 
decade, accidents, injuries, and illnesses continue to result in 
serious personal suffering as well as significant costs to the mining 
industry.
    MSHA seeks to continue the frequency of collection to enable the 
Agency to accurately assess the nature and extent of the safety and 
health conditions in today's mining environment, and to quickly 
identify and respond to developing trends. By requiring submission of 
the MSHA Form 7000-1 within 10 working days after an accident or 
occupational injury occurs or an occupational illness is diagnosed, 
MSHA is afforded the opportunity to promptly investigate the cause of 
the occurrence and to identify possible preventive measures.
    In order to better serve the mining community, and to reduce the 
paperwork burden, MSHA is currently developing methodology to enable 
submission of the Form 7000-1 electronically. MSHA is establishing the 
capability to allow mine operators and mining contractors to fax the 
completed

[[Page 14583]]
Form 7000-1 in lieu of sending the form by mail. MSHA also is 
developing procedures for transmitting the required data via the 
Internet. Statistical compilations based on submitted information are 
already available for the Internet. For more information on this 
capability, please refer to the person listed in the contact section of 
this notice.
    Type of Review: Extension.
    Agency: Mine Safety and Health Administration.
    Title: Mine Accident, Injury, and Illness Report.
    OMB Number: 1219-0007.
    Recordkeeping: 30 CFR 50.40(b) requires respondents to maintain a 
copy of the Form 7000-1 at the office closest to the mine for 5 years 
after submission.
    Affected Public: Business or other for-profit.
    Form: MSHA Form 7000-1.
    Total Respondents: 19,935 mine operators and mining contractors.
    Frequency: On occasion.
    Total Responses: 44,444.
    Average Time per Response: 1.91 hours.
    Estimated Total Burden Hours: 84,946 hours.
    Estimated Total Burden Cost: $23,160.
    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.
George M. Fesak,
Director, Program Evaluation and Information Resources.
[FR Doc. 96-7947 Filed 4-1-96; 8:45 am]
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