[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 174 (Wednesday, September 9, 1998)]
[Notices]
[Pages 48246-48247]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-24188]


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DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Mine Safety and Health Administration


Proposed Information Collection Request Submitted for Public 
Comment and Recommendations; Records of Tests and Examinations of 
Personnel Hoisting Equipment

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 pre-clearance 
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 Records of Tests and Examinations 
of Personnel Hoisting Equipment. 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 9, 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 O'Malley, Program Analysis Office, 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

    These requirements provide for a record of specific test and 
inspections of a mine's personnel hoisting systems, including the wire 
rope, to ensure that the system remains safe to operate. Review of the 
record indicates whether deficiencies are developing in the equipment, 
in particular the wire rope, so that corrective action may be taken 
before an accident occurs. A record is not required if unsafe 
conditions are not present. However, the mine operator must certify 
that the required inspections have been made.
    The precise format in which the record is kept is left to the 
discretion of the mine operator. All records are made by the person 
conducting the required examinations or tests. Unless otherwise noted 
below, these records are to be retained for one year at the mine site.

II. Current Actions

    The information is used by industry management and maintenance 
personnel to project the expected safe service performance of 
equipment; to indicate when maintenance and specific test need to be 
performed; and to ensure that wire rope is replaced in time to maintain 
the necessary safety for miners. Federal inspectors use the records to 
ensure that unsafe conditions are identified early and corrected. The 
consequence of hoist equipment malfunctions or wire rope failures can

[[Page 48247]]

result in serious injuries and fatalities. It is essential that MSHA 
inspectors be able to verify that mine operators are properly 
inspecting their hoist equipment for unsafe conditions.
    Type of Review: Extension.
    Agency: Mine Safety and Health Administration.
    Title: Records of Tests and Examinations of Personnel Hoisting 
Equipment.
    OMB Number: 1219-0034.
    Agency Number: MSHA 720.
    Recordkeeping: All records are required to be retained for one 
year, except for the wire rope test and that is required for the life 
of the wire rope.
    Affected Public: Business or other for-profit.

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                                   Total                             Total      Average time per                
       Cite/reference           respondents       Frequency        responses        response       Burden hours 
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EXAMINATION 56/57.19023.....              86  Daily...........          22,360  20 minutes......           7,379
(a) and (d), 56/57.19121....              86  Weekly..........           4,472  10 minutes......             745
56/57.19129, 56/57.19131, 56/             86  Bi-weekly.......           2,236  45 min..........           1,677
 57.19132, 56/57.19133, 56/                                                                                     
 57.19134.                                                                                                      
RECORDING 56/57.19023 (a)                 86  Daily...........          22,360  5 min...........           1,863
 and (d).                                 86  Weekly..........           4,472  5 min...........             373
56/57.19121, 56/57.19129....              86  Bi-weekly.......           2,236  5 min...........             186
56/57.19131, 56/57.19132, 56/                                                                                   
 57.19133, 56/57.19134.                                                                                         
EXAMINATION 56/57.19022, 56/              86  2/year..........             172  1 hour..........             172
 57.19023(c), 56/57.19023(e).                                                                                   
RECORDING...................              86  2/year..........             172  9 minutes.......              26
EXAMINATION 75.1400-4,                   274  On occasion.....          18,084  1 hour..........          18,084
 75.1433(d), 77.1404,                                                                                           
 77.1433(d), 77.1906.                                                                                           
RECORDING...................             274  On occ..........          18,084  5 minutes.......           1,506
EXAMINATION 75.1432,                     274  Semi-annual.....             548  1 hour..........             548
 75.1433(e), 77.1432,                                                                                           
 77.1433(e).                                                                                                    
RECORDING...................             274  Semi-annual.....             548  0.15 hr.........              82
EXAMINATION 75.1400-2.......             274  6/yr............           1,644  9 minutes.......             247
RECORDING...................             274  6/year..........           1,644  1 hour..........           1,644
                             -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    TOTALS..................  ..............  ................          99,032  21 min..........          34,532
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    Total Burden Cost (capital/startup): This cost is based upon the 
mine operator's decision as to whether or/not to install a personnel 
hoist or elevator.
    Total Burden Cost (operating/maintaining): $1,304,201.
    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 2, 1998.
George M. Fesak,
Director, Program Evaluation and Information Resources.
[FR Doc. 98-24188 Filed 9-8-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4510-43-M