[Federal Register Volume 66, Number 140 (Friday, July 20, 2001)]
[Notices]
[Pages 38031-38032]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 01-18154]


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DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Mine Safety and Health Administration


Proposed Information Collection Request Submitted for Public 
Comment and Recommendations; Safety Standards for Underground Coal Mine 
Ventilation

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: The Department of Labor, as part of its continuing effort to 
reduce paperowrk 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 September 18, 2001.

ADDRESSES: Send comments to Lynnette M. Haywood, Deputy Director, 
Administration and Management 4015 Wilson Boulevard, Room 611, 4015, 
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. Haywood can 
be reached at (703) 235-1383 (voice), or (703) 235-1563 (facsimile).

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Lynette M. Haywood, Deputy Director, 
Administration and Management, U.S. Department of Labor, Mine Safety 
and Health Administration, Room 611, 4015 Wilson Boulevard, Arlington, 
VA 22203-1984. Ms. Haywood can be reached at [email protected] 
(Internet E-mail), (703) 235-1383 (voice), or (703) 235-1563 
(facsimile).

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Background

    The preshift examination is the mine operator's fundamental tool 
for assessing the overall safety condition of the mine. During the 
examination, the examiner focuses on discovering both existing and 
developing hazards, such as methane accumulation, bad roof and water 
accumulation, and determining the effectiveness of the mine ventilation 
system. The examination has proven to be particularly effective in the 
discovery and correction of hazardous conditions

[[Page 38032]]

and practices before they lead to injuries or fatalities. Because 
conditions in the underground mining environment can change rapidly, 
recurring examinations are necessary to assure safety of the miners 
underground. A timely preshift examination assures the safety of the 
environment on a routine basis.

II. Desired Focus of Comments

    Currently, the Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) is 
soliciting comments concerning the extension of the information 
collection related to the Safety Standards for Underground Coal Mine 
Ventilation. 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 information collection request may be viewed on he 
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

    An underground mine is a maze of tunnels that must be adequately 
ventilated with fresh air to provide a safe environment for miners. 
Methane is liberated from the strata, and anxious gases and dusts from 
blasting and other mining activities may be present. The explosive and 
noxious gases and dusts must be diluted, rendered harmless, and carried 
to the surface by the ventilating currents. Sufficient air quality must 
be provided to maintain the level of respirable dust in accordance with 
MSHA standards.
    Type of Review: Extension.
    Agency: Mine Safety and Health Administration.
    Title: Safety Standard for Underground Coal Mine Ventilation.
    OMB Number: 1219-0125.
    Affected Public: Business or other for-profit.
    Frequency: On occasion.
    Cite/Reference/Form/etc: 30 CFR 75.360(a)(1), and 75.360(f).
    Total Respondents: 127.
    Total Responses: 102,000.
    Average Time per Response: 46 minutes*.
    Estimated Total Burden Hours: 78,001. *Discrepancies due to 
rounding.
    Total Annualized Capital/Startup Costs: $0.
    Total Operating and Maintenance Costs: $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: July 16, 2001.
Lynnette M. Haywood,
Deputy Director, Administration and Management.
[FR Doc. 01-18154 Filed 7-19-01; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4510-43-M