[Federal Register Volume 65, Number 152 (Monday, August 7, 2000)]
[Notices]
[Pages 48255-48256]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 00-19401]


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DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Mine Safety and Health Administration


Proposed Information Collection Request Submitted for Public 
Comment and Recommendations

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

[[Page 48256]]

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 October 6, 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 Internet 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:

1. Background

    Section 77.1101(a) requires operators of surface coal mines and 
surface work areas of underground coal mines to establish and keep 
current a specific escape and evacuation plan to be followed in the 
event of a fire.
    Section 77.1101(b) requires that all employees be instructed in 
current escape and evacuation plans, fire alarm signals, and applicable 
procedures to be followed in case of fire. The training and record 
keeping requirements associated with this standard are addressed under 
OMB No. 1219-0070 (Certificate of Training, MSHA Form 5000-23).
    Section 77.1101(c) requires escape and evacuation plans to include 
the designation and proper maintenance of an adequate means for exiting 
areas where persons are required to work or travel including buildings, 
equipment, and areas where persons normally congregate during the work 
shift.
    While escape and evacuation plans are not subject to approval by 
MSHA district managers, MSHA inspectors evaluate the adequacy of the 
plans during their inspections of surface coal mines and surface work 
areas of underground coal mines.

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 Escape and Evacuation Plans. 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 submission 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 Submissions (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 escape and evacuation plans for surface coal mines and 
surface work areas of underground coal mines for an additional 3 years. 
MSHA believes that eliminating this requirement would expose miners to 
unnecessary risk of injury or death should a fire occur at or near 
their work location.
    Type of Review: Extension.
    Title: Escape and Evacuation Plans.
    Recordkeeping: Indefinite.
    OMB Number: 1219-0051.
    Affected Public: Business or other for-profit institutions.
    Cite/Reference/Form/etc.: 30 CFR 77.1101.
    Total Respondents: 59.
    Frequency: On occasion.
    Total Responses: 59.
    Average Time per Response: 4.45 hours.
    Estimated Total Burden Hours: 263 hours.
    Total Burden Cost (capital/startup): $0.
    Total Annualized Capital/Startup Costs: $0.
    Total Operating and Maintenance Costs: $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: July 26, 2000.
Brenda C. Teaster,
Acting Chief, Records Management Division.
[FR Doc. 00-19401 Filed 8-4-00; 8:45 am]
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