[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 121 (Wednesday, June 24, 1998)]
[Notices]
[Page 34484]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-16758]



[[Page 34484]]

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DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Mine Safety and Health Administration


Proposed Information Collection Request Submitted for Public 
Comment and Recommendations; Mine Ventilation System Plan

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 Mine Ventilation System Plan. 
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 Better 
Information Contact section of this notice.

dates: Submit comments on or before August 24, 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: Theresa M. O'Malley, Program Analysis 
Officer, 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. Mrs. O'Malley can be 
reached at [email protected] (Internet E-mail), (703) 235-1470 (voice), 
or (703) 235-1563 (facsimile).

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Background

    Underground mines 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.

II. Current Actions

    A well planned mine ventilation system is necessary to ensure a 
fresh air supply to miners at all working places, to control the 
amounts of harmful airborne contaminants in the mine atmosphere, and to 
dilute possible accumulation of explosive gases.
    The standard requires mine operators to prepare a written plan of 
the mine's ventilation system and to update the plan annually. The 
purposes are to insure that each operator routinely plans, reviews, and 
updates the plan; to insure the availability of accurate and correct 
information; and to provide MSHA with the opportunity to alert the mine 
operator to potential hazards.
    Type of Review: Extension.
    Agency: Mine Safety and Health Administration.
    Title: Mine Ventilation System Plan.
    OMB Number: 1219-0016.
    Agency Number: MSHA 401.
    Recordkeeping: 1 year.
    Affected Public: Business or other for-profit.
    Cite/Reference/Form/etc: 30 CFR 57.8520.
    Total Respondents: 240.
    Frequency: Annually.
    Total Responses: 240.
    Average Time per Response: 24 hours.
    Estimated Total Burden Hours: 5,760.
    Total Burden Cost (capital/startup): 0.
    Total Burden Cost (operating/maintaining): $46,080.00.
    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 17, 1998.
Theresa M. O'Malley,
Acting Director, Program Evaluation and Information Resources.
[FR Doc. 98-16758 Filed 6-23-98; 8:45 am]
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