[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 133 (Friday, July 11, 1997)]
[Notices]
[Pages 37298-37299]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-18281]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Mine Safety and Health Administration


Proposed Information Collection Request Submitted for Public 
Comment and Recommendations: Mine Rescue Teams; Arrangements for 
Emergency Medical Assistance; and Arrangements for Transportation for 
Injured Persons

ACTION: Notice.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

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 and reinstatement 
of information collection requirements related to Mine Rescue Teams; 
Arrangements for Emergency Medical Assistance; and Arrangements for 
Transportation for Injured Persons. In addition, MSHA is soliciting 
comments concerning existing paperwork requirements related to 
Availability of Mine Rescue Teams which have not been previously 
approved by OMB. 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 September 9, 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 on (703) 235-
1910 (voice) or (703) 234-5551 (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

    Section 115(e) of the Federal Mine Safety and Health Act of 1977 
required the Secretary of Labor to publish proposed regulations which 
provide that mine rescue teams be available for rescue and recovery 
work to each

[[Page 37299]]

underground mine in the event of emergency. Congress considered the 
ready availability of mine rescue teams in the event of an accident to 
be vital protection for miners.
    In responding to Congressional concerns, MSHA promulgated 30 CFR 
part 49, Mine Rescue Teams. These regulations set standards related to 
the availability of mine rescue teams; alternate mine rescue capability 
for small and remote mines and mines with special mining conditions; 
inspection and maintenance records of mine rescue equipment and 
apparatus; physical requirements for mine rescue team members and 
alternates; and experience and training requirements for team members 
and alternates.

II. Current Actions

    This request for review consolidates all paperwork requirements 
related to mine rescue teams, arrangements for emergency medical 
assistance, and arrangements for transportation for injured persons 
into a single paperwork package under Office of Management and Budget 
(OMB) control number 1219-0078. The consolidated package includes all 
paperwork requirements which were formerly approved under OMB control 
numbers 1219-0077, 1219-0078, and 1219-0093, as well as certain 
paperwork requirements which are currently approved under OMB control 
number 1219-0049. In addition, paperwork requirements under 30 CFR 
Sec. 49.2 which have not been approved by OMB have been included in 
this consolidated package to eliminate the need for an additional 
package.
    Type of Review: New, extension, and reinstatement (without change).
    Agency: Mine Safety and Health Administration.
    Title: Mine Rescue Teams; Arrangements for Emergency Medical 
Assistance; and Arrangements for Transportation for Injured Persons.
    OMB Number: 1219-0078.
    Recordkeeping: One year.
    Affected Public: Business or other for-profit institutions.
    Estimated Burden Hours:

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                      Total                                         Total                                                               
          Cite/reference           respondents             Frequency              responses     Average time per  responses              Burden         
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
49.2.............................        1,285  On occasion....................           89  1.00 hour......................  89 hours.                
49.3 and 4.......................           72  On occasion....................           10  2.00 hours.....................  20 hours.                
49.6.............................          311  Bimonthly......................       33,588  0.31 hour......................  10,263 hours.            
49.7.............................          311  Annually.......................        3,732  2.13 hours.....................  7,931 hours.             
49.8.............................          311  Annually.......................       17,310  0.60 hours.....................  10,452 hours.            
49.9.............................        1,357  On occasion....................           98  2.00 hours.....................  197 hours.               
75.1713-1........................        1,117  On occasion....................           67  2.00 hours.....................  135 hours.               
77.1702..........................        1,781  On occasion....................           90  2.00 hours.....................  180 hours                
                                  -------------                                 ------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Totals.......................        3,138  ...............................       54,984  0.53 hour......................  29,267 hours.            
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Estimated Burden Hour Cost: $1,007,898.
    Estimated Burden Cost (capital/startup): $0.
    Estimated Burden Cost (operating/maintaining): $559,260.
    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 7, 1997.
George M. Fesak,
Director, Program Evaluation and Information Resources.
[FR Doc. 97-18281 Filed 7-10-97; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4510-43-M