[Federal Register Volume 65, Number 77 (Thursday, April 20, 2000)]
[Notices]
[Pages 21211-21212]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 00-9910]


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DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Mine Safety and Health Administration


Proposed Information Collection Request; Submitted for Public 
Comment and Recommendations; Safety Standards for Roof Bolts in Metal 
and Nonmetal Mines and Underground Coal Mines

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 19, 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). 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

    30 CFR 56/57.3203 and 75.204 address the quality of rock fixtures 
and their installation. Roof and rock bolts and accessories are an 
integral part of ground control systems and are used to prevent the 
fall of roof, face, and ribs. These standards require that metal and 
nonmetal and coal mine operators obtain a certification from the 
manufacturer that rock bolts and accessories are manufactured and 
tested in accordance with the 1995 American Society for Testing and 
Materials (ASTM) publication ``Standard Specification for Roof and Rock 
Bolts and Accessories'' (ASTM F432-95).

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 Safety Standards for Roof Bolts 
in Metal and Nonmetal Mines and Underground Coal Mines. 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
     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 collectin 
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 Supporting Statements (http://www.msha.gov/regspwork.htm)'', or contacting the employee listed above in the For 
Further Information Contact section of this notice.

III. Current Actions

    MSHA is seeking to continue the requirement for mine operators to 
obtain certification from the manufacturer that roof and rock bolts and 
accessories are manufactured and tested in accordance with the 
applicable American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) 
specifications and make that certification available to an authorized 
representative of the Secretary.
    Type of Review:
    Agency: Mine Safety and Health Administration.
    Title: Safety Standards for Roof Bolts in Metal and Nonmetal Mines 
and Underground Coal Mines (30 CFR 56.3203(a), 57.3203(a), and 
75.204(a)).
    OMB Number: 1219-0121.
    Affected Public: Business or other for-profit.

[[Page 21212]]



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                                                                                                                           Average time
              Cite/reference                      Total  respondents                  Frequency                Total       per response    Burden hours*
                                                                                                             responses        (hours)
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30 CFR 56/57.3203(a).....................  252 M/NM Surface...............  On Occasion.................           1,008            0.05            50.4
                                           190 M/NM Underground...........  On Occasion.................           1,520            0.05            76.0
75.204(a)................................  761 Coal Underground...........  On Occassion................           6,088            0.05           304.4
ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½
    Total................................  1,203..........................  ............................           8,616  ..............          430.8
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*Discrepancies due to rounding.

    Total Burden Cost (capital/startup): $0.
    Total Burden Cost (operating/maintaining): $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: April 14, 2000.
George M. Fesak,
Director, Program Evaluation and Information Resources.
[FR Doc. 00-9910 Filed 4-19-00; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4510-43-M