[Federal Register Volume 68, Number 74 (Thursday, April 17, 2003)]
[Notices]
[Pages 19034-19035]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 03-9446]


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

DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Mine Safety and Health Administration


Proposed Information Collection Request Submitted for Public 
Comment and Recommendations; Safety Standards for Roof Bolts in Metal 
and Nonmetal Mines and Underground Coal Mines

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 56.3203(a), 57.3203(a), and 
75.204(a); Safety Standards for Roof Bolts in Metal and Nonmetal Mines 
and Underground Coal Mines.

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

    30 CFR 56/57.3203 and 75.204 address the quality of rock fixtures 
and their installation. Roof and rock bolts and accessories are an 
integral part of ground control systems and are used to prevent the 
fall of roof, face, and ribs. These standards require that metal and 
nonmetal and coal mine operators obtain a certification from the 
manufacturer that rock bolts and accessories are manufactured and 
tested in accordance with the 1995 American Society for Testing and 
Materials (ASTM) publication ``Standard Specification for Roof and Rock 
Bolts and Accessories'' (ASTM F432-95).

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 to continue the requirement for mine operators to 
obtain certification from the manufacturer that roof and rock bolts and 
accessories are manufactured and tested in accordance with the 
applicable American Society for testing and Materials (ASTM) 
specifications and make that certification available to an authorized 
representative of the Secretary.
    Type of Review: Extension.
    Agency: Mine Safety and Health Administration.
    Title: Safety Standards for Roof Bolts in Metal and Nonmetal Mines 
and Underground Coal Mines.
    OMB Number: 1219-0121.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                                  Avg. time/response
                       Section                         Total respondents       Frequency        Total responses          (hrs)           Burden hours
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
56/57.3203(a); M/NM Surface.........................                  20         On Occasion                  40                0.05                   2
M/NM Underground....................................                 180         On Occasion                 720                0.05                  36
75.204(a); Coal Underground.........................                 893         On Occasion               3,572                0.05                 179
                                                     ---------------------
    Total...........................................               1,093  ..................               4,332  ..................                 217
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Frequency: On Occasion.
    Affected Public: Business or other for-profit.
    Respondents: 1,093.
    Estimated Time Per Respondent: .2 hours.
    Total Burden Hours: 217 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

[[Page 19035]]

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. 03-9446 Filed 4-16-03; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4510-43-P