[Federal Register Volume 65, Number 125 (Wednesday, June 28, 2000)]
[Notices]
[Page 39943]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 00-16321]



[[Page 39943]]

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DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Mine Safety and Health Administration


Proposed Information Collection Request Submitted for Public 
Comment and Recommendations; Records of Preshift and Onshift 
Inspections of Slope and Shaft Areas

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 August 28, 2000.

ADDRESSES: Send comments to Brenda C. Teaster, Acting Chief, Records 
Management Division, 4015 Wilson Boulevard, Room 709A, 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. Teaster can be reached at (703) 235-1470 
(voice), or (703) 235-1563 (facsimile).

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Brenda C. Teaster, Acting Chief, 
Records Management Division, U.S. Department of Labor, Mine Safety and 
Health Administration, Room 709A, 4015 Wilson Boulevard, Arlington, VA 
22203-1984. Ms Teaster can be reached at [email protected] (Internet 
E-mail), (703) 235-1470 (voice), or (703) 235-1563 (facsimile).

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Background

    The sinking of slopes and shafts is a particularly hazardous 
operation where conditions change drastically in short periods of time. 
Explosive methane and other harmful gases can be expected to infiltrate 
the work environment at any time. The working environment is typically 
a confined area in close proximity to moving equipment. Mandatory 
safety standard 30 CFR 77.1901 requires coal mine operators to conduct 
examinations of slope and shaft areas for hazardous conditions, 
including tests for methane and oxygen deficiency, within 90 minutes 
before each shift and once during each shift, and before and after 
blasting. The surface area surrounding each slope and shaft is also 
required to be inspected for hazards.
    The standard also requires that a record be kept of the results of 
the inspections. The record consists of a description of any hazardous 
condition found and the corrective action taken to abate it. The record 
is necessary to ensure that the inspections and tests are conducted in 
a timely fashion and that corrective action is taken when hazardous 
conditions are identified. The record is maintained at the mine site 
for the duration of the operation.

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 Records of Preshift and Onshift 
Inspections of Slope and Shaft Areas. (Pertains to slope and shaft 
sinking operations at 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 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 selecting ``Statutory and Regulatory Information'' then ``Paperwork 
Reduction Act submission (http://www.msha.gov/regspwork.htm)'', 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 proposes to continue the information collection requirement 
related to records of preshift and onshift inspections of slope and 
shaft areas for an additional 3 years. MSHA believes that eliminating 
this requirement would expose miners to unnecessary risk of injury or 
death.
    The records are used by slope and shaft supervisors and employees, 
State mine inspectors, and Federal mine inspectors. The records show 
that the examinations and tests were conducted and give insight into 
the hazardous conditions that have been encountered and those that may 
be encountered. The records of inspections greatly assist those who use 
them in making decisions that will ultimately affect the safety and 
health of slope and shaft sinking employees.
    Type of Review: Extension.
    Agency: Mine Safety and Health Administration.
    Title: Records of Preshift and Onshift Inspections of Slope and 
Shaft Areas.
    OMB Number: 1219-0082.
    Recordkeeping: Records are required to be kept for the duration of 
the operation.
    Affected Public: Business or other for-profit institutions.
    Cite/Reference/Form/etc: 30 CFR 77.1901.
    Total Respondents: 35.
    Frequency: Twice per shift.
    Total Responses: 11,858.
    Average Time per Response: 1.25 hours.
    Estimated Total Burden Hours: 14,823 hours.
    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: June 22, 2000.
Brenda C. Teaster,
Acting Chief, Records Management Division.
[FR Doc. 00-16321 Filed 6-27-00; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4510-43-M