[Federal Register Volume 65, Number 65 (Tuesday, April 4, 2000)]
[Notices]
[Pages 17678-17679]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 00-8243]


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DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Mine Safety and Health Administration


Proposed Information Collection Request Submitted for Public 
Comment and Recommendations; Notification of Methane Detected in Mine 
Atmosphere

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 June 5, 2000.

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. Ms. O'Malley can be 
reached at [email protected] (Internet E-mail), (703) 235-1470 (voice), 
or (703) 235-1563 (facsimile).

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Background

    Sections 103(c), (i), and (j) of the Federal Mine Safety and Health 
Act of 1977 authorize the recordkeeping and reporting requirements 
implemented in 30 CFR 57, Subpart T-Safety Standards for Methane in 
Metal and Nonmetal mines. Methane is a flammable gas found in 
underground mining. Methane is a colorless, odorless, tasteless gas, 
and it tends to rise to the roof of a mine because it is lighter than 
air. Although methane itself is nontoxic, its presence reduces the 
oxygen content by dilution when mixed with air, and consequently can 
act as an asphyxiant when present in large quantities. Methane mixed 
with air is explosive in the range of 5 to 15 percent, provided that 12 
percent or more oxygen is present. The presence of dust containing 
volatile matter in the mine atmosphere may further enhance the 
explosion potential of methane in a mine.
    Metal and Nonmetal mine operators are required to notify MSHA as 
soon as possible if any of the following events occur: (a) there is an 
outburst that results in 0.25 percent or more methane in the mine 
atmosphere; (b) there is a blowout that results in 0.25 percent or more 
methane in the mine atmosphere; (c) there is an ignition of methane; 
(d) air sample results indicate 0.25 percent or more methane in the 
mine atmosphere of a Subcategory I-B, I-C, II-B, V-B, or Category VI 
mine; If methane reaches 2.0 percent in a Category IV mine; or methane 
reaches 0.25 percent in the mine atmosphere of a Subcategory I-B, II-B, 
V-B, and VI mines, MSHA shall be notified immediately. MSHA 
investigates the occurrence to determine that the mine is placed in the 
proper category to follow appropriate precautionary standards.

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 Notification of Methane Detected 
in Mine Atmospheres. 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;

[[Page 17679]]

    * 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 
``Paperwork Reduction Act Submissions (http://www.msha.gov/regspwork.htm) Compliance Assistance Information'', or by contacting 
the employee listed above in the FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT 
section of this notice for a hard copy.

III. Current Actions

    MSHA is seeking an extension of the information collection related 
to certification and notification of methane detected in mine 
atmosphere.
    Type of Review: Extension.
    Agency: Mine Safety and Health Administration.
    Title: Notification of Methane Detected in Mine Atmosphere.
    OMB Number: 1219-0103.
    Affected Public: Business or other for-profit.
    Recordkeeping: Certification of examinations shall be kept for at 
least one year.

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                                   Total                           Total      Average time per
        Cite reference          respondents      Frequency       responses    response (hours)   Burden hours\1\
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57.22004(c)...................            1  Annually.........            1  15 minutes.......  15 minutes.
57.22229(d) & 57.22230(b) and             7  Weekly...........          364  5 minutes........  30 hours.
 (c).
Inform miners.................            7  Annually.........            7  10 minutes.......  1 hour, 10
                                                                                                 minutes.
                               ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Total.....................            8                             372  0.0860 minutes...  32 hours.
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\1\ Discrepancies due to rounding.

    Total Annualized Capital/Startup Costs: $0.
    Total Operating and Maintenance: $0.
    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 29, 2000.
George M. Fesak,
Director, Program Evaluation and Information Resources.
[FR Doc. 00-8243 Filed 4-3-00; 8:45 am]
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