[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 161 (Friday, August 20, 1999)]
[Notices]
[Pages 45574-45575]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-21699]


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DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Mine Safety and Health Administration


Proposed Information Collection Request Submitted for Public 
Comment and Recommendations; Mine Operator Dust Data Cards

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 Operator Dust Data Cards. 
MSHA is particularly interested in comments which:
     evaluate whether the proposed collection of information is 
necessary

[[Page 45575]]

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 October 19, 1999.

ADDRESSES: Send comments to Theresa M. O'Malley, Program Analysis 
Officer, Office of Program Evaluation and Information Resources, 4015 
Wilson Boulevard, Room 715, Arlington, VA 22203-1984. Commenters are 
encouraged to send their comments on a computer disk, or via Internet 
E-mail to [email protected], along with an original printed copy.
    Ms. O'Malley can be reached at (703) 235-1470 (voice), or (703) 
235-1563 (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 719, 
4015 Wilson Boulevard, Arlington, VA 22203-1984. Mrs. O'Malley can be 
reached at TOM[email protected] (Internet E-mail), (703) 235-1470 (voice), 
or (703) 235-1563 (facsimile).

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Background

    Section 202(a) of the Federal Mine Safety and Health Act of 1977 
(Mine Act), 30 U.S.C. 842, and at 30 CFR Parts 70 and 71, and 90 
require coal mine operators to continuously maintain an average 
concentration of respirable coal mine dust in the mine atmosphere 
during each shift to which each miner in the active workings of each 
mine is exposed at or below 2.0 milligrams of respirable dust per cubic 
meter of air on each shift to prevent overexposure by miners. 
Regulations promulgated under the Mine Act further require the mine 
operator during each bimonthly period to collect and submit dust 
samples to MSHA for analysis to determine compliance with the 
standards, along with reporting certain information to MSHA on a dust 
data card that accompanies the dust samples. See 30 CFR 70.209, 71.209, 
and 90.209.
    Specific occupations/work positions, areas of the mine, and miners 
are designated by regulation or by the mine operator's approved 
ventilation. These sites are designated for sampling because there is a 
past history of high respirable dust levels or because a miner has 
already demonstrated evidence of the early stages of coal workers' 
pneumoconiosis.

II. Current Actions

    This request for a collection of information contains provisions 
whereby mine operators can continue to verify their compliance with 
mandatory regulations.
    Type of Review: Revision.
    Agency: Mine Safety and Health Administration.
    Title: Mine Operator Dust Data Card.
    OMB Number: 1219-0011.
    Affected Public: Business or other for-profit.

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                                                                                   Average time
        Cite/reference              Total          Frequency           Total       per response    Burden hours
                                 respondents                         responses        (hours)
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70/.209, 71.209, 90.209, Dust           1,281  Bi-monthly.......          54,000           .7135 hours    38,532
 Sampling and Monitoring.
70.201(c), 71.201(c),                   1,281  On occasion......             630          1.0                630
 90.201(c) MSHA monitored
 samples.
70.202(b), 71.202(b),                   1,281  Annually.........             230          6.6              1,528
 90.202(b), Certification.
70.220(a), 71.220(a),                   1,281  Annually.........           3,200           .50             1,600
 90.220(a), Status Change
 Reports.
71,300.......................           1,281  Annually.........              45          2.98               134
71.301(d) Posting of Plan....           1,281  Annually.........               6           .24                11
90.300.......................           1,281  Annually.........               6          2.67                16
90.301(d)....................           1,281  Annually.........               6           .50                 3
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    Total....................  ..............  .................          58,162           .7299          42,454
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    Total Burden Cost (capital/startup): $990,887.
    Total Burden Cost (operating/maintaining): $2,136,598.
    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: August 16, 1999.
Theresa M. O'Malley,
Program Analysis Officer.
[FR Doc. 99-21699 Filed 8-19-99; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4510-43-M