[Federal Register Volume 68, Number 137 (Thursday, July 17, 2003)]
[Notices]
[Pages 42427-42428]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 03-18091]


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DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Mine Safety and Health Administration


Proposed Information Collection Request Submitted for Public 
Comment and Recommendations; Escape and Evacuation Plans

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

[[Page 42428]]

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 77.1101; Escape and 
Evacuation Plans.

DATES: Submit comments on or before September 15, 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

    Section 77.1101(a) requires operators of surface coal mines and 
surface work areas of underground coal mines to establish and keep 
current a specific escape and evacuation plan to be followed in the 
event of a fire. Section 77.1101(b) requires that all employees be 
instructed in current escape and evacuation plans, fire alarm signals, 
and applicable procedures to be followed in case of fire. The training 
and record keeping requirements associated with this standard are 
addressed under OMB No. 1219-0070 (Certificate of Training, MSHA Form 
5000-23).
    Section 77.1101(c) requires escape and evacuation plans to include 
the designation and proper maintenance of an adequate means for exiting 
areas where persons are required to work or travel, including 
buildings, equipment, and areas where persons normally congregate 
during the work shift.
    While escape and evacuation plans are not subject to approval by 
MSHA district managers, MSHA inspectors evaluate the adequacy of the 
plans during their inspections of surface coal mines and surface work 
areas of underground coal mines.

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 proposes to continue the information collection requirement 
related to escape and evacuation plans for surface coal mines and 
surface work areas of underground coal mines for an additional 3 years. 
MSHA believes that eliminating these requirements would expose miners 
to unnecessary risk of injury or death should a fire occur at or near 
their work location.
    Type of Review: Extension.
    Agency: Mine Safety and Health Administration.
    Title: Escape and Evacuation Plans.
    OMB Number: 1219-0051.
    Recordkeeping: Indefinite.
    Frequency: On occasion.
    Affected Public: Business or other for-profit.
    Respondents: 183.
    Average Time Per Respondent: 4.8 hours.
    Total Burden Hours: 878 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, VA, this 8th day of July, 2003.
David L. Meyer,
Director, Office of Administration and Management.
[FR Doc. 03-18091 Filed 7-16-03; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4510-43-P