[Federal Register Volume 65, Number 59 (Monday, March 27, 2000)]
[Notices]
[Page 16229]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 00-7475]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Mine Safety and Health Administration


Proposed Information Collection Request Submitted for Public 
Comment and Recommendations; Petitions for Modification of Mandatory 
Safety Standards

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.

DATES: Submit comments on or before May 26, 2000.

ADDRESSES: Send comments to Theresa 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 E-mail to 
[email protected], along with an original printed copy. Ms. O'Malley 
can be reached at (703) 235-1910 (voice) or (703) 235-5551 (facsimile).

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Background

    Section 101(c) of the Federal Mine Safety and Health Act of 1977 
(Mine Act), 30 U.S.C. 811(c), provides that a mine operator or a 
representative of miners may petition the Secretary to modify the 
application of a mandatory safety standard. A petition for modification 
may be granted if the Secretary of Labor (Secretary) determines: (1) 
That an alternative method of achieving the results of the standard 
exists and that it will guarantee, at all times, no less than the same 
measure of protection for the miners affected as that afforded by the 
standard; or (2) that the application of the standard will result in a 
diminution of safety to the miners affected.
    Petitions for Modification must be in writing and contain the 
petitioner's name and address, the mailing address and mine 
identification number of the mine or mines affected, the mandatory 
safety standard to which the petition is directed, a concise statement 
of the modification requested; a detailed statement of the facts that 
show the grounds upon which a modification is claimed or warranted; 
and, if the petitioner is a mine operator, the identity of any 
representative of miners at the affected mine.

II. Desired Focus of Comments

    Currently, the Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) is 
soliciting comments concerning the proposed extension of the 
information collection related to the Petitions for Modification. 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 may be viewed 
on the Internet by accessing the MSHA Home Page (http://www.msha.gov) 
and then choosing ``Statutory and Regulatory Information: and then 
``Paperwork Reduction Act Submissions'' (http://www.msha.gov/regspwork.htm) or by contacting the employee listed below in the FOR 
FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT section of this notice.

III. Current Actions

    Each petition for modification must be investigated by MSHA on a 
mine-by-mine basis and a decision reached on the merits. A mine 
operator may only request modification of one mandatory safety standard 
per petition. However, a mine operator may file a petition for more 
than one mine by showing that identical issues of law and fact exist 
for each mine.
    Type of Review: Extension.
    Agency: Mine Safety and Health Administration.
    Title: Petitions for Modification of Mandatory Safety Standards.
    OMB Number: 1219-0065.
    Affected Public: Business or other for-profit institutions.
    Frequency: On occasion.
    Cite/Reference/Form/etc: 30 CFR 44.9, 44.10, and 44.11
    Total Respondents: 140 mine operators.
    Total Responses: 110.
    Average Time per Response: 40 hours.
    Estimated Total Burden Hours: 4,400 hours.
    Estimated Total Burden Cost: $150,420.
    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: March 21, 2000.
Theresa M. O'Malley,
Program Analysis Officer, Program Evaluation and Information Resources.
[FR Doc. 00-7475 Filed 3-24-00; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4510-43-M