[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 248 (Monday, December 29, 1997)]
[Notices]
[Pages 67664-67665]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-33677]


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DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Mine Safety and Health Administration


Proposed Information Collection Request Submitted for Public 
Comment and Recommendations; Program To Prevent Smoking in Hazardous 
Areas

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 Program to Prevent Smoking in 
Hazardous Areas. 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

[[Page 67665]]

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 February 27, 1998.

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

    Section 317(c) of the Federal Mine Safety and Health Act of 1977 
(Mine Act), 30 U.S.C. Sec. 877(c), and 30 CFR Sec. 75.1702 prohibits 
persons from smoking or carrying smoking materials underground or in 
places where there is a fire or explosion hazard. Under the Mine Act 
and Sec. 75.1702, coal mine operators are required to develop programs 
to prevent persons from carrying smoking materials, matches, or 
lighters underground and to prevent smoking in hazardous areas, such as 
in or around oil houses, explosives magazines, etc. The Mine Act and 
the standard further require that the mine operator submit the program 
plan to MSHA for approval. The purpose of the program is to insure that 
a fire or explosion hazard does not occur.

II. Current Actions

    It is necessary to continue this paperwork burden in order to 
ensure that mine operators continue to submit smoking materials search 
plans and that miners are continually protected from the hazards of 
igniting mine explosions or mine fires by the open flames of cigarette 
lighters and matches and smoldering tobacco products. Smoking continues 
to be a prevalent habit of underground coal miners when off work when 
engaged in surface activities. Both the accidental or intentional 
carrying of smoking materials underground and the deliberate disregard 
for the safety of other miners can only be mitigated by the systematic 
programs to prohibit the carrying and use of smoking materials 
underground as required by 30 CFR Sec. 75.1702.
    Type of Review: Extension (without change).
    Agency: Mine Safety and Health Administration.
    Title: Program to Prevent Smoking in Hazardous Areas.
    OMB Number: 1219-0041.
    Affected Public: Business or other for-profit institutions.
    Cite/Reference/Form/etc: 30 CFR 75.1702.
    Total Respondents: 328.
    Frequency: On occasion.
    Total Responses: 328.
    Average Time per Response: 30 minutes.
    Estimated Total Burden Hours: 164.
    Estimated Total Burden Cost: $6,888.
    Total Burden Cost (capital/startup): $0.
    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: December 18, 1997.
George M. Fesak,
Director, Program Evaluation and Information Resources.
[FR Doc. 97-33677 Filed 12-24-97; 8:45 am]
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