[Federal Register Volume 65, Number 182 (Tuesday, September 19, 2000)]
[Notices]
[Pages 56596-56598]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 00-24009]


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DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Mine Safety and Health Administration


Proposed Information Collection Request Submitted for Public 
Comment and Recommendations; Ventilation Plans, Tests, and Examinations 
in 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 November 20, 2000.

ADDRESSES: Send comments to Brenda C. Teaster, Acting Chief, Records 
Management Division, 4015 Wilson Boulevard, Room 709A, 4015, Arlington, 
VA 22203-1984. Commenters are encouraged to send their comments

[[Page 56597]]

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, 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

    Effective underground coal mine ventilation is necessary to protect 
against mine fires and explosions. Fresh air is coursed throughout the 
mine ventilation system to prevent asphyxiation of the miners from 
methane, carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, and other gases commonly 
encountered in coal mines. Ventilation is the primary method of 
controlling miners' exposure to respirable dust and preventing the 
development of pneumoconiosis (black lung disease). In enacting Section 
303(a) of the Mine Act, Congress expressly recognized these and related 
dangers associated with inadequate ventilation.

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 Ventilation Plans, Tests, and 
Examinations in Underground Coal Mines, pending approval of the 
proposed rule on Plan Verification. 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 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

    Underground coal mines are harsh, hostile, and deadly working 
environments. The ventilation system is one of the most vital life 
support systems in underground mining. An effective ventilation system 
is essential for maintaining a safe and healthful working environment. 
Ventilation related problems in underground coal mines have resulted in 
thousands of fatalities from explosions, fires and asphyxiation. In 
addition, the debilitating occupational lung diseases, black lung and 
silicosis, are controlled by ventilation practices.
    An underground mine is a maze of tunnels that must be adequately 
ventilated with fresh air to provide a safe environment for miners. 
Methane, a colorless, odorless explosive gas, is liberated from the 
coal strata. Other noxious gases and dusts from mining and blasting may 
be present. These explosive and noxious gases and dusts must be 
diluted, rendered harmless, and carried out of the mine by the 
ventilating currents. Sufficient air must be provided to maintain the 
air quality and dust concentrations in accordance with MSHA standards. 
Mechanical ventilation equipment of sufficient capacity must operate at 
all times while miners are in the mine. The mining environment is 
constantly changing as new openings are excavated, roof falls close 
entries, water collects and restricts openings, etc. Due to this 
constantly changing environment, frequent tests and examinations are 
necessary to ensure the integrity of the ventilation system and to 
detect any changes that may require adjustments in the system. Records 
of tests and examinations are necessary to ensure that the ventilation 
system is being maintained and that changes which could adversely 
affect the integrity of the system or the safety of the miners are not 
occurring. These examination requirements of 75.360 through 75.364 also 
incorporate examinations of other critical aspects of the underground 
work environment such as roof conditions and electrical equipment which 
have historically caused numerous fatalities.
    Type of Review: Extension.
    Agency: Mine Safety and Health Administration.
    Title: Ventilation Plans, Tests, and Examinations in Underground 
Coal Mines.
    OMB Number: 1219-0088.
    Recordkeeping: 1 Year.
    Affected Public: Business or other for-profit.
    Frequency: Quarterly/on occasion.
    Affected Public: Business or other for-profit.

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                                     Total                             Total      Average time per
         Cite/reference           respondents       Frequency        responses        response          Burden
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75.310..........................          980  weekly.............       65,612  7 minutes.........        7,523
75.312..........................          980  daily..............        1,293  .013 minutes......       99,739
75.312(c)(d)....................          980  monthly............       23,520  5 minutes.........        3,920
75.312(g).......................          620  on occasion........        7,440  5 minutes.........          620
75.312(g)(2)(ii)................           23  on occasion........          276  10 minutes........           46
75.342..........................          980  monthly............       39,372  .267 minutes......       10,515
75.351(h).......................           60  monthly............        1,560  3.836.............        5,984
75.360..........................          980  on occasion........    1,103,640  1.33256 hrs.......    1,470,667
75.361..........................          980  on occasion........       15,000  30 minutes........        7,500
75.362..........................          980  on occasion........      864,535  .7434 minutes.....      642,744
75.363..........................          980  on occasion........       76,700  .1333 minutes.....       10,224
75.364..........................          980  on occasion........       44,740  9.1837 hours......      410,878
75.370..........................          980  on occasion........        3,878  10 hours..........       38,226
75.382..........................          300  weekly.............       15,000  1 hour............       15,000

[[Page 56598]]

 
    Totals......................  ...........  ...................    2,262,566  1.20376 hours.....   2,723,586
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* Discrepancies due to rounding.

    Total Burden Cost (capital/startup): 0.
    Total Burden Cost (operating/maintaining): $194,256.
    Total Annualized Capital/Startup Costs:
    Total Operating and Maintenance Costs: $171,574.
    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 13, 2000.
Brenda C. Teaster,
Acting Chief, Records Management Division.
[FR Doc. 00-24009 Filed 9-18-00; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4510-43-M