[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 123 (Tuesday, June 25, 1996)]
[Notices]
[Pages 32859-32860]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-16162]



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DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Mine Safety and Health Administration


Proposed Information Collection Request Submitted for Public 
Comment and Recommendations; Notification of Methane Detected in Mine 
Atmosphere

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 reinstatement of the 
information collection related to the Notification of Methane Detected 
in Mine Atmospheres. 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 below in the contact section 
of this notice.

DATES: Submit written comments to the office listed in the ADDRESSES 
section below on or before August 26, 1996.

ADDRESSES: Written comments shall be mailed to Patricia W. Silvey, 
Director, Office of Standards, Regulations, and Variances, 4015 Wilson 
Boulevard, Room 627, 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 (c), (i), and (j) of the Federal Mine Safety and 
Health Act of 1977 authorized the recordkeeping and reporting 
requirements implemented in 30 CFR Part 57, Subpart T--Safety Standards 
for Methane in Metal and Nonmetal mines. Methane is a flammable gas 
found in underground mining. Methane is a colorless, odorless, 
tasteless gas, and it tends to rise to the roof of a mine because it is 
lighter than air. Although methane itself is nontoxic, its presence 
reduces the oxygen content by dilution when mixed with air, and 
consequently can act as an asphyxiant when present in large quantities. 
Methane mixed with air is explosive in the range of 5 to 15 percent, 
provided that 12 percent or more oxygen is present. The presence of 
dust containing volatile matter in the mine atmosphere may further 
enhance the explosion potential of methane in a mine.
    Metal and Nonmetal mine operators are required to notify MSHA when: 
(a) There is an outburst that results in 0.25 percent or more methane 
in the mine atmosphere; (b) there is a blowout that results in 0.25 
percent or more methane in the mine atmosphere; (c) there is an 
ignition of methane; (d) air sample results indicate 0.25 percent or 
more methane in the atmosphere of a Subcategory I-B, I-C, II-B, V-B, or 
Category VI mine, or (e) methane reaches 2.0 percent in a Category IV 
mine. MSHA investigates the occurrence to determine that the mine is 
placed in the proper category to follow appropriate precautionary 
standards.

[[Page 32860]]

II. Current Actions

    MSHA is seeking to continue the certification and notification of 
methane detected in mine atmosphere.
    Type of Review: Reinstatement (without change).
    Agency: Mine Safety and Health Administration.
    Title: Notification of Methane Detected in Mine Atmosphere.
    OMB Number: 1219-0103.
    Recordkeeping: Certification of examinations shall be kept for at 
least one year.
    Affected Public: Business or other for-profit

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                                     Total                              Total        Average time/       Burden 
         Cite/reference           respondents        Frequency        responses         response         hours  
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57.22004........................            1  Annual..............            1  1 hour.............  1        
57.22229 and 57.22230...........            7  Weekly..............          364  5 min..............  30       
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      Totals....................            8  ....................          365  1.083 hour.........  31       
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    Estimated Total Burden Cost: $2,496.
    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 17, 1996.
Donald Henderliter,
Acting Director, Program Evaluation and Information Resources.
[FR Doc. 96-16162 Filed 6-24-96; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4510-43-M