[Federal Register Volume 66, Number 46 (Thursday, March 8, 2001)]
[Notices]
[Pages 13975-13976]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 01-5742]


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DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Mine Safety and Health Administration


Proposed Information Collection Request Submitted for Public 
Comments and Recommendations; Program to Prevent Smoking in Hazardous 
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 May 7, 2001.

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

[[Page 13976]]

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

    Section 317(c) of the Federal Mine Safety and Health Act of 1977 
(Mine Act), 30 U.S.C. 877(c), and 30 CFR 75.1702 prohibits persons from 
smoking or carrying smoking materials underground or in places where 
there is a fire or explosion hazard. Under the Mine Act and 
Sec. 75.1702, coal mine operators are required to develop programs to 
prevent persons from carrying smoking materials, matches, or lighters 
underground and to prevent smoking in hazardous areas, such as in or 
around oil houses, explosives magazines, etc. The Mine Act and the 
standard further require that the mine operator submit the program plan 
to MSHA for approval. The purpose of the program is to insure that a 
fire or explosion hazard does not occur.

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 Program to Prevent Smoking in 
Hazardous Areas. 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

    It is necessary to continue this paperwork burden in order to 
ensure that mine operators continue to submit smoking materials search 
plans and that miners are continually protected from the hazards of 
igniting mine explosions or mine fires by the open flames of cigarette 
lighters and matches and smoldering tobacco products. Smoking continues 
to be a prevalent habit of underground coal miners when off work or 
when engaged in surface activities. Both the accidental or intentional 
carrying of smoking materials underground and the deliberate disregard 
for the safety of other miners can only be mitigated by the systematic 
programs to prohibit the carrying and use of smoking materials 
underground as required by 30 CFR 75.1702.
    Type of Review: Extension (without change).
    Agency: Mine Safety and Health Administration.
    Title: Program to Prevent Smoking in Hazardous Areas.
    OMB Number: 1219-0041.
    Affected Public: Business or other for-profit institutions.
    Cite/Reference/Form/etc: 30 CFR 75.1702.
    Total Respondents: 188.
    Frequency: On occasion.
    Total Responses: 188.
    Average Time per Response: 0.5 hour.
    Total Burden Hours: 94 hours.
    Total Burden Hour Cost: $4,932.
    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: February 28, 2001.
Brenda C. Teaster,
Acting Chief, Records Management Division.
[FR Doc. 01-5742 Filed 3-7-01; 8:45 am]
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