[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 121 (Tuesday, June 24, 1997)]
[Notices]
[Pages 34083-34084]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-16496]


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DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Mine Safety and Health Administration


Proposed Information Collection Request Submitted for Public 
Comment and Recommendations; Record of Examination for Hazardous 
Conditions

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,

[[Page 34084]]

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 Record of Examination for 
Hazardous Conditions. 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 in the For Further 
Information Contact section of this notice.

DATES: Submit comments on or before August 25, 1997.

ADDRESSES: Send comments to Patricia W. Silvey, Director, Office of 
Standards, Regulations, and Variances, 4015 Wilson Boulevard, Room 627, 
Arlington, VA 22203-1984. Comments 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

    Coal mine operators are required by 30 CFR 77.1713 to conduct 
examinations of each active working area of surface mines, active 
surface installations at these mines, and preparation plants not 
associated with underground coal mines for hazardous conditions during 
each shift. A report of any hazardous conditions detected must be 
entered into a record book, along with a description of any corrective 
actions taken.
    A number of potential hazards can exist at surface coal mines and 
facilities. Highwalls, mining equipment, travelways, and the handling 
of mining materials each present possible hazardous conditions. Since 
promulgation of 30 CFR 77.1713 in 1971, numerous miners have either 
lost their lives at the areas affected by the subject standard or 
received injuries of varying degrees of seriousness. The majority of 
the injuries and fatalities resulted from hazardous conditions that had 
not been detected or corrected.

II. Current Actions

    By conducting an on-shift examination for hazardous conditions, the 
mine operator better guarantees a safe working environment for the 
miners and a reduction in accidents. Examinations for hazardous 
conditions are required to be conducted each shift. To do so less 
frequently could allow unsafe conditions to go undetected that might 
result in an accident.
    Type of Review: Extension.
    Agency: Mine Safety and Health Administration.
    Title: Record of Examination for Hazardous Conditions.
    OMB Number: 1219-0083.
    Affected Public: Business or other for-profit institutions.
    Cite/Reference/Form/etc: 30 CFR 77.1713.
    Total Respondents: 1,818.
    Frequency: On occasion.
    Total Responses: 616,302.
    Average Time per Response: 1.5 hours.
    Estimated Total Burden Hours: 924,453.
    Estimated Total Burden Hour Cost: $38,827,026.
    Estimated Total Burden Cost (capital/startup): $0.
    Estimated Total Burden Cost (operating/maintaining): $0.
    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 18, 1997.
George M. Fesak,
Director, Program Evaluation and Information Resources.
[FR Doc. 97-16496 Filed 6-23-97; 8:45 am]
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