[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 152 (Tuesday, August 6, 1996)]
[Notices]
[Pages 40858-40859]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-19990]


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DEPARTMENT OF LABOR
Mine Safety and Health Administration


Proposed Information Collection Request Submitted for Public 
Comment and Recommendations; Mine Operator Dust Data Card

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: The Department of Labor, as part of its continuing effort to 
reduce paperwork and respondents' 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 (PRA 95) [44 U.S.C. Sec. 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 Operator Dust Data Card. 
MSHA is particularly interested in comments which:
    1. 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;
    2. 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;
    3. Enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to 
be collected; and
    4. Minimize the burden of the collection of information on those 
who must respond through the use of appropriate automated, electronic, 
mechanical, or other technological collection techniques or other forms 
of information technology, e.g., electronic submissions of responses.
    A copy of the proposed information collection request can be 
obtained by contacting the person listed in the Contact section of this 
notice.

DATES: Submit comments on or before October 7, 1996.

ADDRESSES: Submit written comments to: Mine Safety and Health 
Administration, Office of Standards, Regulations and Variances, Room 
631, 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.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
George M. Fesak, Director, Office of Program Evaluation and Information 
Resources, MSHA, (703) 235-8378.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Background

    Section 202 of the Federal Mine Safety and Health Act of 1977 (Mine 
Act), 30 U.S.C. Sec. 842, and 30 C.F.R. Parts 70, 71, and 90 require 
coal mine operators to continuously maintain the average concentration 
of respirable dust in the mine atmosphere during each shift to which 
each miner in the active workings of each mine is exposed at or below 
2.0 milligrams of respirable dust per cubic meter of air. Regulations 
promulgated under the Mine Act further require the mine operator during 
each bimonthly period to collect and submit dust samples to MSHA for 
analysis to determine compliance with the standards, along with 
reporting certain information to MSHA on a dust data

[[Page 40859]]

card that accompanies the dust samples. See 30 C.F.R. Secs. 70.209, 
71.209, and 90.209.
    Specific occupations/work positions, areas of the mine, and miners 
are designated by regulation or by the mine operator's ventilation and 
dust control plan. These sites are designated for sampling because 
there is a past history of high respirable dust levels or because a 
miner has already demonstrated evidence of the early stages of coal 
workers' pneumoconiosis.

II. Current Actions

    This request for collection of information contains provisions 
whereby mine operators can continue to verify their compliance with 
mandatory regulations.
    Type of Review: Extension (without change).
    Agency: Mine Safety and Health Administration.
    Title: Mine Operator Dust Data Card.
    OMB Number: 1219-0011.
    Affected Public: Business or other for-profit.
    Cite/Reference/Form/etc: 30 CFR 70.209, 71.209 and 90.209.
    Total Respondents: 1,580.
    Frequency: Bi-monthly.
    Total Responses: 64,000.
    Average Time per Response: 61 minutes.
    Estimated Total Burden Hours: 65,667 hours.
    Estimated Total Burden Cost: $1,514,232.
    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: July 31, 1996.
George M. Fesak,
Director, Program Evaluation and Information Resources.
[FR Doc. 96-19990 Filed 8-5-96; 8:45 am]
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