[Federal Register Volume 66, Number 224 (Tuesday, November 20, 2001)]
[Notices]
[Pages 58177-58178]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 01-28974]


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DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Mine Safety and Health Administration


Proposed Information Collection Request Submitted for Public 
Comment and Recommendations; Records of Tests and Examinations of 
Personnel Hoisting Equipment

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 January 22, 2002.

ADDRESSES: Send comments to Gordon J. Burke, Jr., Director, 
Administration and Management, 4015 Wilson Boulevard, Room 615, 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. Mr. Burke can be 
reached at (703) 235-1383 (voice), or (703) 235-1563 (facsimile).

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Charlene N. Barnard, Regulatory 
Specialist, Records Management Division, U.S. Department of Labor, Mine 
Safety and Health Administration, Room 725, 5014 Wilson Boulevard, 
Arlington, VA 22203-1984. Ms. Barnard can be reached at [email protected] (Internet E-mail), (703) 235-1470 (voice), or (703) 
235-1563 (facsimile).

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Background

    These requirements provide for a record of specific test and 
inspections of a mines's personnel hoisting systems, including the wire 
rope, to ensure that the system remains safe to operate. Review of the 
record indicates whether deficiencies are developing in the equipment, 
in particular the wire rope, so that corrective action may be taken 
before an accident occurs. The requirements also provide for a 
systematic procedure for the inspection, testing, and maintenance of 
shaft and hoisting equipment. The mine operator must certify that the 
required inspections, tests, and maintenance have been made then record 
any unsafe condition identified during the examination or test.
    The precise format in which the record is kept is left to the 
discretion of the mine operator. All records are made by the person 
conducting the required examination or test. Unless otherwise noted 
below, these records are to be retained for one year at the mine site.

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 Records of Tests and Examinations 
of Personnel Hoisting Equipment. MSHA is particularly interested on 
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;

[[Page 58178]]

     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

    The information is used by industry management and maintenance 
personnel to project the expected safe service performance of hoist and 
shaft equipment; to indicate when maintenance and specific tests need 
to be performed; and to ensure that wire rope attached to the personnel 
conveyance is replaced in time to maintain the necessary safety for 
miners. Federal inspectors use the records to ensure that inspections 
are conducted, unsafe conditions identified early and corrected. The 
consequence of hoist or shaft equipment malfunctions or wire rope 
failures can result in serious injuries and fatalities. It is essential 
that MSHA inspectors be able to verify that mine operators are properly 
inspecting their hoist and shaft equipment and maintaining it in safe 
condition.
    Type of Review: Extension.
    Agency: Mine Safety and Health Administration.
    Title: Record of Tests and Examinations of Personnel Hoisting 
Equipment.
    OMB Number: 1219-0034.
    Affected Public: Business or other for-profit.
    Frequency: On occasion.
    Recordkeeping: One year.

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                                     Total                              Total      Average time per     Burden
        Cite/reference            respondents       Frequency         responses    response (hours)     hours*
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Examination:
    56/57.19023 (a) and (d)...              96  Daily............          22,360  20 minutes......        7,379
    56/57.19121...............              86  Weekly...........           4,472  10 minutes......          745
    56/57.19129...............              86  Bi-weekly........           2,236  45 minutes......        1,677
    56/57.19131
    56/57.19132
    56/57.19133
    56/57.19134
Recording:
    56/57.19023 (a) and (d)...              86  Daily............          22,360  5 minutes.......        1,789
    56/57.19121...............              86  Weekly...........           4,472  5 minutes.......          358
    56/57.19129
    56/57.19131...............              86  Bi-Weekly........           2,236  5 minutes.......          179
    56/57.19132
    56/57.19133
    56/57.19134
Examination:
    56/57.19022...............              86  2/year...........             172  1 hour..........          172
    56/57.19023(c)
    56/57.19023(e)
Recording.....................              86  2/year...........             172  9 minutes.......           26
Examination:
    75.1400-4.................             174  Daily............         135.720  20 minutes......       44,788
    75.1433(d)................             174  Bi-weekly........           9,048  20 minutes......        2,986
    75.1404...................             174  On occasion......          17,383  4 hours.........       69,532
    75.1433(d)................             174  Semi Annually....             626  1 hour..........          626
    77.1906
Recording:
                                           174  Daily............          45,240  5 minutes.......        3,619
                                           174  Bi-weekly........           4,524  5 minutes.......          362
                                           174  On occasion......             209  5 minutes.......           17
                                           174  Semi Annually....             626  5 minutes.......           50
Examination: 75.1400-2........             174  Bi-monthly.......           2,088  45 minutes......        1,566
Recording.....................             174  Bi-monthly.......           2,088  5 minutes.......          167
                               ----------------                   ----------------------------------------------
      Total...................             260  .................         276,032  2 hours.........    7,001,385
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* Discrepancies due to rounding.

    Total Annualized Capital/Startup Costs: $0.
    Total Operating and Maintenance Costs: $208,800.
    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: November 9, 2001.
Gordon J. Burke, Jr.,
Director, Administration and Management.
[FR Doc. 01-28974 Filed 11-19-01; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4510-43-M