[Federal Register Volume 68, Number 47 (Tuesday, March 11, 2003)]
[Notices]
[Pages 11591-11592]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 03-5726]


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DEPARTMENT OF LABOR


Mine Safety and Health Administration Proposed Information 
Collection Request Submitted for Public Comment and Recommendations; 
Identification of Independent Contractors

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 extension of the information 
collection related to the 30 CFR sections 45.3--Identification of 
Independent Contractors.

DATES: Submit comments on or before May 12, 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

    Title 30 CFR 45.3 provides that independent contractors may 
voluntarily obtain a permanent MSHA identification number by submitting 
to MSHA their trade name and business address, a telephone number, an 
estimate of the annual hours worked by the contractor on mine property 
for the previous calendar year, and the address of record for service 
of documents upon the contractor. Independent contractors performing 
services or construction at mines are subject to the Federal Mine 
Safety and Health Act of 1977 (Mine Act) and are responsible for 
violations of the Mine Act committed by them or their employees.
    Although Independent Contractors are not required to apply for the 
identification number, they will be assigned one by MSHA the first time 
they are cited for a violation of the Mine Act. MSHA uses the 
information to issue a permanent MSHA identification number to the 
independent contractor.

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

[[Page 11592]]

choosing ``Statutory and Regulatory Information'' and ``Federal 
Register Documents.''

III. Current Actions

    MSHA uses the information to issue a permanent MSHA identification 
number to the independent contractor. This number allows MSHA to keep 
track of a contractor's violation history so that appropriate civil 
penalties can be assessed for violations of the Mine Act or its 
accompanying mandatory health and safety standards.
    Type of Review: Extension.
    Agency: Mine Safety and Health Administration.
    Title: Identification of Independent Contractors.
    OMB Number: 1219-0043.
    Recordkeeping: Sec.  45.3 states that independent contractors may 
voluntarily obtain a permanent MSHA identification number by submitting 
to MSHA their trade name and business address, a telephone number, an 
estimate of the annual hours worked by the contractor on mine property 
for the previous calendar year, and the address of record for service 
of documents upon the contractor.
    Independent contractors performing services or construction at 
mines are subject to the Federal Mine Safety and Health Act of 1977 
(Mine Act) and are responsible for violations of the Mine Act committed 
by them or their employees.
    Although Independent Contractors are not required to apply for the 
identification number, they will be assigned one by MSHA the first time 
they are cited for a violation of the Mine Act. MSHA uses the 
information to issue a permanent MSHA identification number to the 
independent contractor.
    Frequency: On Occasion.
    Affected Public: Business or other for-profit.
    Respondents: 2,229.
    Estimated Time Per Respondent: 7.2 minutes.
    Total Burden Hours: 275 hours.
    Total Burden Cost (capital/startup): $0.
    Total Burden Cost (operating/maintaining): $601.
    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; the comments will also 
become a matter of public record.

    Dated at Arlington, VA, this third day of March, 2003.
Lynnette Haywood,
Deputy Director, Office of Administration and Management.
[FR Doc. 03-5726 Filed 3-10-03; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4510-43-P