[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 72 (Tuesday, April 15, 1997)]
[Notices]
[Pages 18366-18367]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-9665]


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DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Mine Safety and Health Administration


Proposed Information Collection Request Submitted for Public 
Comment and Recommendations; Fire Protection (Underground Coal Mines)

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

[[Page 18367]]

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 about the proposed reinstatement of the information 
collection related to program of instruction, location and use of fire 
fighting equipment, location of escapeways, exits and routes of travel, 
and evacuation procedures. MSHA is also soliciting comments about 
certain existing information collections which were determined to be 
certifications under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1980 and were 
therefore not considered to be a paperwork burden under that statute. 
These collections are related to examinations of chemical fire 
extinguishers, fire drills, examinations and tests of automatic fire 
sensor and warning device systems, and tests of fire hydrants and fire 
hose. 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 For Further 
Information Contact section of this notice.

dates: Submit comments on or before June 16, 1997.

addresses: Send comments 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

    Subpart L of 30 CFR 75 establishes minimum fire protection 
requirements for underground coal mines. This subpart contains 
provisions requiring that a program for the instruction of miners in 
fire fighting and evacuation procedures be adopted by the mine operator 
and approved by the MSHA district manager. Subpart L also contains 
provisions requiring fire extinguishers to be examined every 6 months, 
fire drills to be conducted every 90 days, automatic fire sensor and 
warning device systems to be examined weekly and tested annually, and 
fire hydrants and hose to be tested at least once a year. These 
provisions also require that the mine operator maintain a record or 
certification that the fire drills and examinations and tests were 
conducted.

II. Current Actions

    MSHA believes that the requirement for distinct fire fighting and 
evacuation programs for coal mines promotes the objectives of the 
Federal Mine Safety and Health Act of 1977 by ensuring that miners are 
able to safely evacuate a mine in the event of a fire and that fires 
are extinguished as soon as possible. MSHA uses the programs and the 
fire drill and fire fighting equipment certifications to determine 
whether a mine operator has adequate procedures and equipment to 
protect miners in the event of a fire.
    Type of Review: Reinstatement (without change) and approval of 
existing collections in use without an OMB control number.
    Agency: Mine Safety and Health Administration.
    Title: Fire Protection (Underground Coal Mines).
    OMB Number: 1219-0054.
    Affected Public: Business or other for-profit institutions.

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                                                                                          Average               
                                         Total                                Total       time per      Burden  
           Cite/reference             respondents         Frequency         responses     response     (hours)  
                                                                                         (minutes)              
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75.1100-3...........................        1,117  Semi-annually.........       47,560            2        1,585
75.1101-23(a).......................        1,117  On occasion...........          376           30          188
75.1101-23(c).......................        1,117  Quarterly.............       13,404           30        6,702
75.1103-8 (Inspection)..............          838  Weekly................      174,304           15       43,576
75.1103-8 (Certification)...........          838  Weekly................       43,576           10        7,263
75.1103-8 (Test)....................          838  Annually..............        3,352           15          838
75.1103-11..........................          838  Annually..............       50,280           30       25,140
                                     -------------                        --------------------------------------
      Totals........................        1,117  ......................      332,852           15       85,292
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    Estimated Total Burden Cost: $1,880.
    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: April 9, 1997.
George M. Fesak,
Director, Program Evaluation and Information Resources.
[FR Doc. 97-9665 Filed 4-14-97; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4510-43-M