[Federal Register Volume 66, Number 90 (Wednesday, May 9, 2001)]
[Notices]
[Pages 23743-23744]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 01-11636]


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DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Mine Safety and Health Administration


Proposed Information Collection Request Submitted for Public 
Comment and Recommendations; Slope and Shaft Sinking Plans

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 July 9, 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 (facsmile).

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),

[[Page 23744]]

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

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Background

    The standard 30 CFR section 77.1900 was enacted in 1971 and was 
amended in 1982 and again in 1995. The standard requires underground 
coal mine operators to develop a prudent engineered design plan to 
develop a slope or shaft whenever an operator decides to open such a 
coal mine. The plan is required by the standard and is to be reviewed 
and approved by MSHA before the actual hazardous work begins.

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 Slope and Shaft Sinking 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 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

    The average 25 slope or shaft development plans that MSHA receives 
on an annual basis, are reviewed to ensure that the required work is 
performed in a safe manner, and it protects those miners performing the 
work. Prudent engineering design does evolve along with improved 
machinery to perform the work, but there has not been any revision to 
the requirements for such a plan.
    Type of Review: Extension.
    Agency: Mine Safety and Health Administration.
    Title: Slope and Shaft Sinking Plans.
    OMB Number: 1219-0019.
    Recordkeeping: records are normally required to be kept for 3 
years.
    Affected Public: Business or other for-profit.
    Cite/Reference/Form/etc: 30 CFR 77.1900.
    Total Respondents: 887.
    Frequency: whenever an operator decides to develop a slope or 
shaft.
    Total Responses: 48.
    Average Time Per Response: 20 hours.
    Estimated Total Burden Hours: 960.
    Total Burden Cost (capital/startup): $0.
    Total Burden Cost (operating/maintaining): $720.
    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: May 1, 2001.
Brenda C. Teaster,
Acting Chief, Records Management Division.
[FR Doc. 01-11636 Filed 5-8-01; 8:45 am]
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