[Federal Register Volume 65, Number 165 (Thursday, August 24, 2000)]
[Notices]
[Page 51629]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 00-21627]


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DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Mine Safety and Health Administration


Proposed Information Collection Request Submitted for Public 
Comment and Recommendations; Record of Examination for Hazardous 
Conditions

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 (PRA 95) [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 October 23, 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. Mrs. 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. Mrs. Teaster can be reached at [email protected] (Internet 
E-mail), (703) 235-1470 (voice), or (703) 235-1563 (facsimile).

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:   

I. Background

    Coal mine operators are required by 30 CFR 77.1713 to conduct 
examinations of each active working area of surface mines, active 
surface installations at these mines, and preparation plants not 
associated with underground coal mines for hazardous conditions during 
each shift. A report of any hazardous conditions detected must be 
entered into a record book, along with a description of any corrective 
actions taken.
    A number of potential hazards can exist at surface coal mines and 
facilities Highwalls, mining equipment, travelways, and the handling of 
mining materials each present possible hazardous conditions. Since 
promulgation of 30 CFR 77.1713 in 1971, numerous miners have either 
lost their lives at the areas affected by the subject standard or 
received injuries of varying degrees of seriousness. The majority of 
the injuries and fatalities resulted from hazardous conditions that had 
not been detected or corrected.

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 Record of Examinations for 
Hazardous Conditions. 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

    By conducting an on-shift examination for hazardous conditions, the 
mine operator better guarantees a safe working environment for the 
miners and a reduction in accidents. Examinations for hazardous 
conditions are required to be conducted each shift. To do so less 
frequently could allow unsafe conditions to go undetected that might 
result in an accident.
    Type of Review: Extension.
    Agency: Mine Safety and Health Administration.
    Title: Record of Examination for Hazardous Conditions.
    OMB Number: 1219-0083.
    Affected Public: Business or other for-profit institutions.
    Cite/Reference/Form/etc: 30 CFR 77.1713.
    Total Respondents: 1,215.
    Frequency: On occasion.
    Total Responses: 411,885.
    Average Time per Response: 1.5 hours.
    Estimated Total Burden Hours: 617,828.
    Estimated Total Burden Hour Cost: $32,417,434.
    Estimated Total Burden Cost (capital/startup): $0.
    Estimated 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: August 18, 2000.
Brenda C. Teaster,
Acting Chief, Records Management Division.
[FR Doc. 00-21627 Filed 8-23-00; 8:45 am]
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