[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 211 (Friday, October 31, 1997)]
[Notices]
[Pages 58994-58995]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-28918]


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DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Mine Safety and Health Administration


Proposed Information Collection Request Submitted for Public 
Comment and Recommendations; Ventilation Plans, Tests, and Examinations 
in 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 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 existing information collection 
related to Ventilation Plans, Tests, and Examinations in Underground 
Coal Mines. MSHA is particularly interested in comment 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 or responses.
    A copy of the proposed information collection request can be 
obtained by contracting the employee listed below in the For Further 
Information Contact section of this notice.

DATES: Submit comments on or before December 30, 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 gfesak@gov (internet E-mail), (703) 
235-8378 (voice), or (703) 235-1563 (facsimile).

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Background

    Underground coal mines usually present harsh and hostile working 
environments. The ventilation system is the most vital life support 
system in underground mining and a properly operating ventilation 
system is essential for maintaining a safe and healthful working 
environment. Lack of adequate ventilation in underground mines has 
resulted in fatalities from asphyxiation and explosions.
    An underground mine is a maze of tunnels that must be adequately 
ventilated with fresh air to provide a safe environment for miners. 
Methane is liberated from the strata, and noxious gases and dusts from 
blasting and other mining activities may be present. The explosive and 
noxious gases and dusts must be diluted, rendered harmless, and carried 
to the surface by the ventilating currents. Sufficient air must be 
provided to maintain the level of respirable dust at or below 2 
milligrams per cubic meter of air and air quality must be maintained in 
accordance with MSHA standards. Mechanical ventilation equipment of 
sufficient capacity must operate at all times while miners are in the 
mine. Ground conditions are subject to frequent changes, thus 
sufficient tests and examinations are necessary to ensure the integrity 
of the ventilation system and to detect any changes that any require 
adjustments in the system. Records of tests and examinations are 
necessary to ensure that the ventilation system is being maintained and 
that changes which could adversely affect the integrity of the system 
or the safety of the miners are not occurring. These examinations 
requirements of 75.360 through 75.364 also incorporate examinations of 
other critical aspects of the underground work environment such as roof 
conditions and electrical equipment which have historically cased 
numerous fatalities if not properly maintained and operated.

II. Current Actions

    MSHA is seeking to continue the requirements for mine mine 
ventilation plans, tests and examinations in underground coal mines. 
The records give notice to mine management and the miners on the 
oncoming shift on mine conditions, identify hazards on working sections 
during the previous shift, and verify that proper ventilation is being 
maintained. The information is available to all interested persons at 
the mine to assure them that the integrity of the ventilation system is 
being provided for the miners. MSHA inspectors use the records to 
determine that tests and examinations, required by the regulations, are 
made.
    Type of Review: Revision.
    Agency: Mine Safety and Health Administration.
    Title: Ventilation Plans, Tests, and Examinations in Underground 
Coal Mines.
    Affected Public Business or other for-profit.
    Cite/Reference/Form/etc: 30 CFR 75.310, 75.312, 75.342, 75.351, 
75.360, 75.361, 75.362, 75.363, 75.364, 75.370 and 75.382.

[[Page 58995]]



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                                                                                                    Burden hour 
                         30 CFR section                             Respondents    Burden hours        cost     
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75.310..........................................................             980           7,523        $195,598
75.312..........................................................             980          99,739      $2,593,214
75.312(c)(d)....................................................             980           3,920        $101,920
75.312(g).......................................................             980             620         $16,120
75.312(g)(2)(ii)................................................              23              46          $1,196
75.342..........................................................             980          10,515        $273,390
75.351(h).......................................................              60           5,984        $155,584
75.360..........................................................             980       1,470,667     $38,641,870
75.361..........................................................             980           7,500        $195,000
75.362..........................................................             980         642,744      25,709,760
75.363..........................................................             980          10,224         319,514
75.364..........................................................             980         410,884      10,767,544
75.370..........................................................             554          38,226      $1,509,264
75.382..........................................................             300          15,000        $390,000
                                                                 -----------------------------------------------
      Total.....................................................          10,737       2,723,592      80,869,974
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    Frequency: On occasion; quarterly.
    Average Time per Response: Varies from 5 minutes for countersigning 
preshift examinations to 16 hours for updating mine ventilation plans.
    Total Burden Cost (capital/startup): $0.
    Total Burden Cost (operating/maintaining): $194,256.
    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: October 27, 1997.
George M. Fesak,
Director, Program Evaluation and Information Resource.
[FR Doc. 97-28918 Filed 10-30-97; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4510-43-M