[Federal Register Volume 67, Number 201 (Thursday, October 17, 2002)]
[Notices]
[Page 64139]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 02-26384]


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DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Mine Safety and Health Administration


Proposed Information Collection Request Submitted for Public 
Comment and Recommendations; Independent Contractor Register

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 pre-clearance 
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.
    Currently, the Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) is 
soliciting comments concerning the proposed extension of the 
information collection related to the Independent Contractor Register.

DATES: Submit comments on or before December 16, 2000.

ADDRESSES: Send comments to David Meyer, Director, Administration and 
Management, 1100 Wilson Boulevard, Room 2125, Arlington, VA 22209-3939. 
Commenters are encouraged to send their comments on a computer disk, or 
via e-mail to [email protected], along with an original printed 
copy. Mr. Meyer can be reached at (202) 693-9802 (voice), or (202) 693-
9801 (facsimile).

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Jane E. Tarr, Program Analyst, Records 
Management Group, U.S. Department of Labor, Mine Safety and Health 
Administration, Room 2171, 1100 Wilson Boulevard, Arlington, VA 22209-
3939. Ms. Tarr can be reached at [email protected] (Internet E-mail), 
(202) 693-9824 (voice), or (202) 693-9801 (facsimile).

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Background

    Independent contractors performing services or construction at 
mines are subject to the Federal Mine Safety and Health Act of 1977. 30 
CFR 45.4(b) requires mine operators to maintain a written summary of 
information concerning each independent contractor present on the mine 
site. The information includes the trade name, business address, and 
telephone number; a brief description and the location on the mine of 
the work to be performed; MSHA location on the mine of the work to be 
performed; MSHA identification number, if any; and the contractor's 
business address of record. This information is required to be provided 
for inspection and enforcement purposes by the mine operator to any 
MSHA inspector upon request.

II. Desired Focus of Comments

    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 can be obtained by contacting the employee listed below in the 
Addresses section of this notice or viewed on the Internet by accessing 
the MSHA Home Page (http://www.msha.gov) and then choosing ``Statutory 
and Regulatory Information'' and ``Federal Register Documents.''

III. Current Actions

    The information obtained from the contractors is used by MSHA 
during inspections to determine proper responsibility for compliance 
with safety and health standards.
    Type of Review: Extension.
    Agency: Mine Safety and Health Administration.
    Title: Independent Contractor Register.
    OMB Number: 1219-0040.
    Affected Public: Business or other for-profit.
    Cite/Reference/Form/etc: 30 CFR part 45.
    Total Respondents: 15,292.
    Frequency: On occasion.
    Total Responses: 99,398.
    Average Time Per Response: 0.87 hours.
    Estimated Total Burden Hours: 13,250 hours.
    Estimated Total Burden Cost: $174,789.
    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 at Arlington, Virginia, this 10th day of October, 2002.
David L. Meyer,
Director, Office of Administration and Management.
[FR Doc. 02-26384 Filed 10-16-02; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4510-43-M