[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 186 (Friday, September 25, 1998)]
[Notices]
[Pages 51376-51377]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-25685]


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DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Mine Safety and Health Administration


Proposed Information Collection Request Submitted for Public 
Comment and Recommendations; Permissible Equipment Testing

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 help 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 Permissible Equipment Testing. 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 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 Programs 
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) 235-8378 (voice), or (703) 
235-1563 (facsimile).

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

I. Background

    The Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) is responsible for 
the inspection, testing, approval and certification, and quality 
control of mining equipment and components, materials, instruments, and 
explosives

[[Page 51377]]

used in both underground and surface coal, metal, and nonmetal mines. 
Title 30 CFR, Parts 15 through 36 contain procedures by which 
manufacturers may apply for and have equipment approved as 
``permissible'' for use in mines.

II. Current Actions

    Title 30 CFR Parts 15 through 36 require that an investigation 
leading to approval or certification will be undertaken by the Approval 
and Certification Center (A&CC) only pursuant to a written application 
accompanied by prescribed drawings and specifications identifying the 
piece of equipment. This information is used by engineers and 
scientists to evaluate the design in conjunction with tests to assure 
conformance to standards prior to approval for use in mines.
    Type of Review: Extension.
    Agency: Mine Safety and Health Administration.
    Title: Permissible Equipment Testing.
    OMB Number: 1219-0066.
    Agency Number: MSHA 702.
    Affected Public: Business or other for-profit.

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                                     Total                             Total      Average time per      Burden
         Cite/reference           respondents       Frequency        responses        response          hours
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Part 15.........................            6  On occasion........            6  1 hr., 53 min.....           11
Part 18.........................          708  On occasion........          708  1 hr., 50 min.....        8,136
Part 19.........................            5  On occasion........            5  11 hrs. 36 min....           58
Part 20.........................            8  On occasion........            8  8 hrs.............           64
Part 21.........................            8  On occasion........            8  8 hrs.............           64
Part 22.........................           11  On occasion........           11  9 hrs., 38 min....          106
Part 23.........................           12  On occasion........           12  8 hrs., 15 min....           99
Part 24.........................            3  On occasion........            3  12 hrs............           36
Part 26.........................            3  On occasion........            3  14 hrs............           42
Part 27.........................            8  On occasion........            8  8 hrs., 45 min....           70
Part 28.........................            3  On occasion........            3  13 hrs., 20 min...           40
Part 29.........................            3  On occasion........            3  10 hrs............           30
Part 33.........................           12  On occasion........           12  6 hrs., 30 min....           78
Part 35.........................            5  On occasion........            5  25 hrs............          125
Part 36.........................           81  On occasion........           81  8 hrs., 44 min....          654
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    Totals......................          876  ...................          876  ..................        9,613
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    Total Burden Cost (capital/startup): $0.
    Total Burden Cost (operating/maintaining): $1,849,376.
    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 22, 1998.
George M. Fesak,
Director, Program Evaluation and Information Resources.
[FR Doc. 98-25685 Filed 9-24-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4510-43-M