[Federal Register Volume 68, Number 90 (Friday, May 9, 2003)]
[Notices]
[Pages 25066-25067]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 03-11540]


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DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Mine Safety and Health Administration


Proposed Information Collection Request Submitted for Public 
Comment and Recommendations; Fire Protection (Underground Coal Mines)

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 75.1100-3, 75.1101-23, 
75.1103-8, & 75.1103-11; Fire Protection (Underground Coal Mines).

DATES: Submit comments on or before July 8, 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

    Under 30 CFR 75.1100-3, chemical fire extinguishers must be 
examined every 6 months and the date of the examination recorded on a 
permanent tag attached to the extinguisher. Under Sec.  75.1101-23(a), 
operators of underground coal mines are required to establish a program 
for the instruction of all miners in the proper fire fighting and 
evacuation procedures to be followed in event of an emergency. The 
program includes a specific fire fighting and evacuation plan designed 
to acquaint miners on all shifts with procedures for: (i) Evacuation of 
all miners not required for fire fighting activities; (ii) rapid 
assembly and transportation of necessary people, fire suppression 
equipment, and rescue apparatus to the scene of the fire; and (iii) 
operation of the fire suppression equipment available in the mine. 
Under 75-1101-23(c), an underground coal mine operator is required to 
conduct fire drills at intervals of not more than 90 days. The operator 
is to certify by signature and date that fire drills were conducted in 
accordance with the approved program. Under Sec.  75.1103-8, a 
qualified person must examine the automatic fire sensor and warning 
device systems on a weekly basis, and must conduct a functional test of 
the complete system at least once a year. Under Sec.  75.1103-11, each 
fire hydrant and hose must be tested at least once a

[[Page 25067]]

year, and the records of those tests shall be kept in an appropriate 
location.

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

    30 CFR 75.1100-3, 1101-23, 1103-8 & 11, requires chemical fire 
extinguishers to be examined every 6 months; requires operators to 
establish a program for the instruction of all miners in the proper 
fire fighting and evacuation procedures in the event of an emergency; 
requires operators to conduct fire drills; requires a qualified person 
to examine the automatic fire sensor and warning device systems; and 
requires that each fire hydrant and hose be tested.
    Type of Review: Extension.
    Agency: Mine Safety and Health Administration.
    Title: Fire Protection (Underground Coal Mines).
    OMB Number: 1219-0054.
    Recordkeeping: Sec.  75.1100-3 requires that after the examination 
of chemical fire extinguishers, the date of the examination be recorded 
on a permanent tag attached to the extinguisher. Sec.  75.1101-23(c), 
requires that after conducting fire drills the operator must certify by 
signature and date that the fire drills were conducted. Sec.  75.1103-8 
requires the mine operator to maintain records of the annual functional 
test of the automatic fire sensor and warning device systems. And Sec.  
75.1103-11 requires that records be kept of each fire hydrant and hose 
test.
    Frequency: On occasion.
    Affected Public: Business or other for-profit.
    Respondents: 893.
    Estimated Time Per Response: 14 minutes.
    Total Burden Hours: 77,122 hours.
    Total Burden Cost (in thousands) (capital/startup): $0.
    Total Burden Cost (operating/maintaining): $1.
    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 2nd day of May, 2003.
David L. Meyer,
Director, Office of Administration and Management.
[FR Doc. 03-11540 Filed 5-8-03; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4510-43-U