[Federal Register Volume 68, Number 22 (Monday, February 3, 2003)]
[Notices]
[Pages 5308-5309]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 03-2354]


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DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Mine Safety and Health Administration


Proposed Information Collection Request Submitted for Public 
Comment and Recommendations; Qualification and Certification Program

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

[[Page 5309]]

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 extension of the information 
collection related to the 30 CFR Sections 75.100--Certified Person; 
75.155--Qualified hoisting engineer; qualifications; 77.100--Certified 
Person; and 77.105--Qualified hoist-man; slope or shaft sinking 
operation; qualifications.

DATES: Submit comments on or before April 4, 2003.

ADDRESSES: Send comments to Jane Tarr, Management Analyst, 
Administration and Management 1100 Wilson Boulevard, Room 2171, 
Arlington, VA 22209-3939. Commenters are encouraged to send their 
comments on computer disk, or via Internet E-mail to [email protected]. Ms. Tarr can be reached at (202) 693-9824 (voice), or 
(202) 693-9801 (facsimile).

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Jane Tarr, Management 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

    Persons performing tasks and certain required examinations at coal 
mines which are related to miner safety and health, and which required 
specialized experience, are required to be either ``certified'' or 
``qualified''. The regulations recognize State certification and 
qualification programs. However, where state programs are not 
available, under the Mine Act and MSHA standards, the Secretary may 
certify and qualify persons for as long as they continue to safisfy the 
requirements needed to obtain the certification or qualification, 
fulfill any applicable retraining requirements, and remain employed at 
the same mine or by the same independent contractor. Applications for 
Secretarial certification must be submitted to the MSHA Qualification 
and Certification Unit in Denver, Colorado. MSHA Forms 5000-4 and 5000-
7 provide the coal mining industry with a standardized reporting format 
that expedites the certification process while ensuring compliance with 
the regulations. The information provided on the forms enables the 
Secretary of Labor's delegate--MSHA, Qualification and Certification 
Unit--to determine if the applicants satisfy the requirements to obtain 
the certification or qualification. Persons must meet certain minimum 
experience requirements depending on the type of certification or 
qualification applied for.
    MSHA is presently in the process of streamlining its Forms. Forms 
5000-4 and 5000-7 will be combined into one form 5000-41 for future use 
by coal mine operators. MSHA is requesting approval of this form.

II. Desired Focus of Comments

    MSHA is particularly interested in comments which:
    [sbull] 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;
    [sbull] 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;
    [sbull] Enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the 
information to be collected; and
    [sbull] 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 in the FOR FURTHER 
INFORMATION CONTACT 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

    This request for collection of information contains provisions 
whereby persons may be temporarily qualified or certified to perform 
tests and examinations; requiring specialized expertise; related to 
miner safety and health at coal mines.
    Type of Review: Extension.
    Agency: Mine Safety and Health Administration.
    Title: Qualification and Certification Program.
    OMB Number: 1219-0069.
    Recordkeeping: The information collection requires respondents to 
submit only the original MSHA form to the Agency. The information 
collection does not require the maintenance of records. However, 30 CFR 
75.159 and 77.106 require mine operators to maintain lists of all 
certified and qualified persons. This recordkeeping requirement has 
been approved by OMB under control number 1219-0127.
    Frequency: On Occasion.
    Affected Public: Business or other for-profit.
    Respondents: 684.
    Estimated Time Per Respondent: .28 hours.
    Total Burden Hours: 192 hours.
    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 at Arlington, Virginia, this 28th day of January, 2003.
David L. Meyer,
Director, Office of Administration and Management.
[FR Doc. 03-2354 Filed 1-31-03; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4510-43-M