[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 186 (Friday, September 25, 1998)]
[Notices]
[Pages 51377-51378]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-25686]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF LABOR
Mine Safety and Health Administration
Proposed Information Collection Request Submitted for Public
Comment and Recommendations; Examinations and Test of Electrical
Equipment
ACTION: Notice.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
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 Examinations and Tests of
Electrical 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 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 [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:
[[Page 51378]]
I. Background
Inadequate maintenance of electric equipment is a major cause of
serious electrical accidents in the coal mining industry. Improperly
maintained electric equipment has also been responsible for many
disastrous mine fires and explosions. The most recent example is the
mine fire that occurred at the Wilberg Mine, resulting in the deaths of
27 miners. It is imperative that mine operators adopt and follow an
effective maintenance program to ensure that electric equipment is
maintained in a safe operating condition if electrocutions, mine fires,
and mine explosions are to be prevented.
II. Current Actions
The subject regulations require the mine operator to establish an
electrical maintenance program by specifying minimum requirements for
the examination, testing, and maintenance of electric equipment. The
regulations also contain recordkeeping requirements which may in some
instances help operators in implementing an effective maintenance
program. The subject records of tests and examinations are examined by
coal miners, coal mine officials, and MSHA inspectors. MSHA inspectors
examine the records to determine if the required tests and examinations
have been conducted and to identify units of electric equipment that
may be creating excessive safety problems, and to evaluate the
effectiveness of the coal mine operator's electrical maintenance
programs. By comparing the records with the actual condition of
electric equipment, MSHA inspectors may in some cases be able to
identify weaknesses in the coal mine operator's electrical maintenance
programs and require that he weaknesses by corrected.
Type of Review: Extension.
Agency: Mine Safety and Health Administration.
Title: Examination and Tests of Electrical Equipment.
OMB Number: 1219-0067.
Agency Number: MSHA 224.
Recordkeeping: 1 year.
Affected Public: Business or other for-profit.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total Average time per Burden
Cite/reference Total respondents Frequency responses response hours
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
75.512........................ 16,742........... Weekly........... 870,584 42 minutes...... 593,762
75.703-3(d)(11)............... Included with ................. ........... ................ ...........
75.512 calculati
on.
77.502........................ 25,485........... Monthly.......... 305,820 1 hour.......... 228,091
75.800-4 and 77.800-2......... 3,115............ Monthly.......... 37,380 45 minutes...... 28,035
77.900-2...................... 1,699............ Monthly.......... 20,388 45 minutes...... 15,291
75.900-4...................... 5,970............ Monthly.......... 71,640 1.5 hours....... 107,460
75.1001-1(c).................. 1,000............ 6 months......... 2,000 1.5 hours....... 3,000
75.342(a)(4).................. 1,040............ Monthly.......... 12,480 45 minutes...... 9,360
75.351........................ 647.............. Monthly.......... 7,764 1.5 hours....... 9,705
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Totals........................ 55,698........... ................. 1,328,056 ................ 994,704
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total Burden Cost (capital/startup): $30,000.
Total Burden Cost (operating/maintaining): $390.
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. 98-25686 Filed 9-24-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-70-M