[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 237 (Friday, December 10, 1999)]
[Notices]
[Pages 69296-69297]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-32056]


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DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Mine Safety and Health Administration


Proposed Information Collection Request Submitted for Public 
Comment and Recommendations; Qualification and Certification Program

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.

DATES: Submit comments on or before February 8, 2000.

ADDRESSES: Send comments to Dianne B. Hill, 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. Hill 
can be reached at (703) 235-1470 (voice) or (703) 235-1563 (facsimile).

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Diane B. Hill, 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. Ms. Hill can be 
reached at [email protected] (Internet E-mail), (703) 235-1470 (voice), or 
(703) 235-1563 (facsimile).

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Background

    Persons performing tasks and certain required examinations at coal 
mines which are related to miner safety and health, and which require 
specialized experience, are required to be either ``certified'' or 
``qualified''. The regulations recognize State certification and 
qualification programs. However, where state programs are not 
available, under the Mine Act and MSHA standards, the Secretary may 
certify and qualify persons for as long as they continue to satisfy the 
requirements needed to obtain the certification or qualification, 
fulfill any applicable retraining requirements, and remain employed at 
the same mine or by the same independent contractor.
    Applications for Secretarial certification must be submitted to the 
MSHA Qualification and Certification Unit in Denver, Colorado. MSHA 
Forms 5000-4 and 5000-7 provide the coal mining industry with a 
standardized reporting format which expedites the certification process 
while ensuring compliance with the regulations. The information 
provided on the forms enables the Secretary of Labor's delegate--MSHA, 
Qualification and Certification Unit--to determine if the applicants 
satisfy the requirements to obtain the certification or qualification. 
Persons must meet certain minimum experience requirements depending on 
the type of certification or qualification applied for.

II. Desired Focus on Comments

    Currently, the Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) is 
soliciting comments concerning the proposed extension of the 
information collection related to the Qualification and Certification 
Program. 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 above in the For Further 
Information Contact section of this notice.

III. Current Actions

    This request for collection of information contains provisions 
whereby persons may be temporarily qualified or certified to perform 
tests and examinations; requiring specialized expertise; related to 
miner safety and health at coal mines.
    Type of Review: Extension.
    Agency: Mine Safety and Health Administration.
    Title: Qualification and Certification Program.
    Agency Number: MSHA Forms 5000-4 and 5000-7.
    OMB Number: 1219-0069.
    Affected Public: Business or other for-profit.

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                                                                                          Average
                                      Total                                   Total       time per      Burden
          Cite/reference           respondents          Frequency           responses     response      hours*
                                                                                          (hours)
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75.100(c)(1) and 77.100(b)(2)....          578  On occasion..............        2,428       0.0833          202
75.155(a)(2) and 77.105(a)(2)....           33  On occasion..............          133       0.0833           11
    Total........................          611  .........................        2,561       0.0831          213
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* Discrepancies due to rounding.


[[Page 69297]]

    Total Burden Cost (capital/startup): $0.
    Total Burden Cost (operating/maintaining): $202.
    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: December 3, 1999.
George M. Fesak,
Director, Program Evaluation and Information Resources.
[FR Doc. 99-32056 Filed 12-9-99; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4510-43-M