[Federal Register Volume 68, Number 26 (Friday, February 7, 2003)]
[Notices]
[Pages 6517-6518]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 03-3055]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Mine Safety and Health Administration


Proposed Information Collection Request Submitted for Public 
Comment and Recommendations; Mine Fan Maintenance Record

ACTION: Notice.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

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 extension of the information 
collection related to the 30 CFR Sections 56.1000 and 57.1000; 
Notification of Commencement of Operations and Closing of Mines.

DATES: Submit comments on or before April 8, 2002.

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 reach at [email protected]. (Internet E-mail), 
(202) 693-9824 (voice), or (202) 693-9801 (facsimile).

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Background

    Sec.  57.8525 requires that the main ventilation fans for an 
underground mine be maintained either according to manufacturers' 
recommendations or a written periodic schedule adopted by the mine 
operators. If the operator produces a mine-specific fan maintenance 
schedule, it must be made available for review by an authorized 
Representative of the Secretary of Labor. The records assure compliance 
with the standard and may serve as a warning device for possible 
ventilation problems before they occur.

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

[[Page 6518]]

are to respond, including through the sue 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 Action

    Sec.  57.8525 requires that the main ventilation fans for an 
underground mine be maintained either according to manufacturers' 
recommendations or a written periodic schedule adopted by the mine 
operators. A regular fan maintenance schedule is necessary to assure 
this uninterrupted and vital supply of air. The maintenance is normally 
scheduled as recommended by the fan manufacturers. Regardless of 
regularity, based on the loads of individual fans, the records assure 
compliance with the standard and may serve as a warning device for 
possible ventilation problems before they occur.
    Type of Review: Extension.
    Agency: Mine Safety and Health Administration.
    Title: Main Fan Maintenance Record.
    OMB Number: 1219-0012.
    Recordkeeping: If the operator produces a mine-specific fan 
maintenance schedule, it must be made available for review by an 
unthorized Representative of the Secretary of Labor.
    Frequency: On Occasion.
    Affected Public: Business or other for-profit.
    Respondents: 8.
    Estimated Time Per Respondent: 1.5 hours.
    Total Burden Hours: 12 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 third day of February, 2003
David L. Meyer,
Director, Office of Administration and Management.
[FR Doc. 03-3055 Filed 2-6-03; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4510-43-M