[Federal Register Volume 68, Number 74 (Thursday, April 17, 2003)]
[Notices]
[Pages 19033-19034]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 03-9445]


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DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Mine Safety and Health Administration


Proposed Information Collection Request Submitted for Public 
Comment and Recommendations; Notification of Methane Detected in Mine 
Atmosphere

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 57.22004(c), 57.22229, 
5722230, 5722231, and 57.22239; Methane Detected in Mine Atmosphere.

DATES: Submit comments on or before June 16, 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

    Sections 103(c), (I), and (j) of the Federal Mine Safety and Health 
Act of 1977 authorizes the inspection, recordkeeping and reporting 
requirements implemented in 30 CFR 57, Subpart T-Safety Standards for 
Methane in Metal and Nonmetal mines. Methane is a flammable gas found 
in underground mining. Methane is a colorless, odorless, tasteless gas, 
and it tends to rise to the roof of a mine because it is lighter than 
air. Although methane itself is nontoxic, its presence reduces oxygen 
content by dilution when mixed with air, and consequently can act as an 
asphyxiant when present in large quantities. Methane mixed with air is 
explosive in the range of 5 to 15 percent, provided that 12 percent or 
more oxygen is present. The presence of dust containing volatile matter 
in the mine atmosphere may further enhance the explosion potential of 
methane in a mine.
    Metal and Nonmetal mine operators are required to notify MSHA as 
soon as possible if any of the following events occur: (a) There is an 
outburst that results in 0.25 percent or more methane in the mine 
atmosphere; (b) there is a blowout that results in 0.25 percent or more 
methane in the mine atmosphere; (c) there is an ignition of methane; 
(d) air sample results indicate 0.25 percent or more methane in the 
mine atmosphere of a Subcategory I-B, I-C, II-B, V-B, or Category VI 
mine. If methane reaches 2.0 percent in a Category IV mine; or methane 
reaches 0.25 percent in the mine atmosphere of a Subcategory I-B, II-B, 
V-B, and VI mines, MSHA shall be notified immediately. MSHA 
investigates these occurrences to determine that the mine is placed in 
the proper category.

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

    MSHA is seeking an extension of the information collection related 
to certification and notification of methane detected in mine 
atmosphere.
    Type of Review: Extension.
    Agency: Mine Safety and Health Administration.
    Title: Methane Detected in Mine Atmosphere.
    OMB Number: 1219-0103.
    Recordkeeping: Certification of examinations shall be kept for at 
least one year.
    Frequency: On Occasion.
    Affected Public: Business or other for-profit.
    Respondents: 8.

[[Page 19034]]

    Estimated Time Per Respondent: 3.88 hours.
    Total Burden Hours: 31 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 April, 2003.
David L. Meyer,
Director, Office of Administration and Management.
[FR Doc. 03-9445 Filed 4-16-03; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4510-43-P