[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 182 (Friday, September 19, 1997)]
[Notices]
[Pages 49258-49259]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-24977]


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DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Mine Safety and Health Administration


Proposed Information Collection Request Submitted for Public 
Comment and Recommendations: Certificate of Electrical/Noise Training

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 extension of the 
information collection related to the Certificate of Electrical/Noise 
Training. 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 November 18, 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

    MSHA qualifies mine electricians and certifies persons to take 
noise level measurements in coal mines. MSHA Form 5000-1 is used to 
report to MSHA those miners who have satisfactorily completed (1) a 
coal mine electrical training program; or (2) a noise training course. 
Based on the information submitted on Form 5000-1, MSHA issues 
certification cards that identify these individuals as qualified to 
perform certain tasks at the mine.
    Title 30 CFR 75.153(a)(2) and 77.103(a)(2) require that a program 
be provided for the qualification of certain experienced personnel as 
mine electricians. Title 30 CFR 70.504 and 71.801 require that mine 
operators measure the noise levels to which each miner is exposed and 
that these measurements be taken by a person who has been certified by 
the Assistant Secretary of Labor for Mine Safety and Health as 
qualified. A qualified person is one who has been certified by MSHA as 
an instructor in noise measurement training programs; or has completed 
a noise training course conducted by and approved by MSHA.

II. Current Actions

    MSHA uses the information from MSHA Form 5000-1 to issue 
certification cards to those persons who are qualified. MSHA inspectors 
may asks to see the cards to determine compliance with regulations 
during routine inspections. Mine operators use the cards to determine a 
person's

[[Page 49259]]

qualifications to perform certain tasks and when hiring new personnel. 
The information is also used by MSHA to determine mine operators' 
compliance with approved training plans, to monitor safety training 
programs, and in reporting to Congress.
    Type of Review: Extension.
    Agency: Mine Safety and Health Administration.
    Title: Certificate and Electrical/Noise Training.
    OMB Number: 1219-0001.
    Agency Number: MSHA Form
5000-1.
    Affected Public: Business or other for-profit institutions
    Total Respondents: 3,800.
    Frequency: On occasion.
    Total Responses: 3,800.
    Average Time per Response: 4.36 hours.
    Total Burden Hours: 16,584 hours.
    Total Burden Hour Cost: $431,184.
    Total Burden Cost (capital/startup): $0.
    Total Burden Cost (operating/maintaining): $389,049.
    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: September 10, 1997.
George M. Fesak,
Director, Program Evaluation and Information Resources.
[FR Doc. 97-24977 Filed 9-18-97; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4510-43-M