[Federal Register Volume 65, Number 175 (Friday, September 8, 2000)]
[Notices]
[Pages 54564-54565]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 00-23130]


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DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Mine Safety and Health Administration


Proposed Information Collection Request Submitted for Public 
comment and Recommendations: Mine Rescue Teams; Arrangements for 
Emergency Medical Assistance; and Arrangements for Transportation for 
Injured Persons

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(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 November 7, 2000.

ADDRESSES: Send comments to Brenda C. Teaster, Acting Chief, Records 
Management Division, 4015 Wilson Boulevard, Room 627, 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 on (703) 235-1470 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 709S, 4015 Wilson Boulevard, Arlington, VA 
22203-1984. Ms. Teaster can be reached at [email protected] (Internet 
E-

[[Page 54565]]

mail), (703) 235-1470 (voice), or (703) 235-1563 (facsimile).

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Background

    Section 115(e) of the Federal Mine Safety and Health Act of 1977 
required the Secretary of Labor to publish proposed regulations which 
provide that mine rescue teams be available for rescue and recovery 
work to each underground mine in the event of an emergency. Congress 
considered the ready availability of mine rescue teams in the event of 
an accident to be vital protection for miners.
    In responding to Congressional concerns, MSHA promulgated 30 CFR 
49, Mine Rescue Teams. These regulations set standards related to the 
availability of mine rescue teams; alternate mine rescue capability for 
small and remote mines and mines with special mining conditions; 
inspection and maintenance records of mine rescue equipment and 
apparatus; physical requirements for mine rescue team members and 
alternates; and experience and training requirements for team members 
and alternates.

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 Mine Rescue Teams; Arrangements for 
Emergency Medical Assistance; and Arrangements for Transportation for 
Injured Persons. 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

    This request for review incorporates all paperwork requirements 
related to mine rescue teams, arrangements for emergency medical 
assistance, and arrangements for transportation for injured persons.
    Type of Review: Extension.
    Agency: Mine Safety and Health Administration.
    Title: Mine Rescue Teams; Arrangements for Emergency Medical 
Assistance; and Arrangements for Transportation for Injured Persons.
    OMB Number: 1219-0078.
    Recordkeeping: One year.
    Affected Public: Business or other for-profit institutions.
    Estimated Burden Hours:

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                                                                                   Average time
        Cite/reference               Total          Frequency          Total       per response     Burden  (in
                                  respondents                        responses      (in hours)        hours)
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49.2..........................           1,145  On occasion.....             147            1.00             146
49.3 and 4....................              10  On occasion.....              10            2.00              20
49.6..........................             520  Bimonthly.......          28,080            0.31           8,580
49.7..........................             520  Annually........           3,120            2.13           6,630
49.8..........................             260  Annually........          14,456            0.60           8,723
49.9..........................           1,145  On occasion.....             147            2.00             293
75.1713-1.....................             921  On occasion.....             116            2.00             233
77.1702.......................           1,601  On occasion.....             206            2.00             413
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    Totals....................           6,122  ................          46,282            0.54          25,037
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    Estimated Burden Hour Cost: $1,040,571.
    Estimated Burden Cost (capital/startup): $0.
    Estimated Burden Cost (operating/maintaining): $460,080.
    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: September 1, 2000.
Brenda C. Teaster,
Acting Chief, Records Management Division.
[FR Doc. 00-23130 Filed 9-7-00; 8:45 am]
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