[Federal Register Volume 68, Number 143 (Friday, July 25, 2003)]
[Notices]
[Pages 44100-44101]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 03-18964]


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DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Office of the Secretary


Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request

July 15, 2003.
    The Department of Labor (DOL) has submitted the following public 
information collection request (ICR) to the Office of Management and 
Budget (OMB) for review and approval in accordance with the Paperwork 
Reduction Act of 1995 (Pub. L. 104-13, 44 U.S.C. Chapter 35). A copy of 
this ICR, with applicable supporting documentation, may be obtained by 
calling the Department of Labor. To obtain documentation, contact 
Darrin King on (202) 693-4129 (this is not a toll-free number) or E-
Mail: [email protected].
    Comments should be sent to Office of Information and Regulatory 
Affairs, Attn: OMB Desk Officer for the Mine Safety and Health 
Administration (MSHA), Office of Management and Budget, Room 10235, 
Washington, DC

[[Page 44101]]

20503 (202-395-7316/this is not a toll-free number), within 30 days 
from the date of this publication in the Federal Register.
    The OMB 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 submission of responses.
    Type of Review: Extension of a currently approved collection.
    Agency: Mine Safety and Health Administration.
    Title: Fire Protection (Underground Coal Mines).
    OMB Number: 1219-0054.
    Affected Public: Business or other for-profit.
    Number of Respondents: 893.

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                                                                                            Average
                                                                                Annual     response     Annual
               Requirement                             Frequency               responses     time       burden
                                                                                            (hours)      hours
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Examine chemical fire extinguishers--30   Semi-annually.....................      36,840       0.033       1,216
 CFR 75.1100-3.
Program of instruction--30 CFR 75.1101-   On occasion.......................         248       0.500         124
 23(a).
Fire drill certifications--30 CFR         Quarterly.........................      10,716       0.500       5,358
 75.1101-23(c).
Inspect automatic fire sensors and
 warning devices--30 CFR 75.1103-8
    Weekly examinations.................  Weekly............................     123,760       0.250      30,940
    Weekly certification................  Weekly............................     123,760       0.170      21,039
    Annual function test................  Annually..........................       2,380       0.250         595
Test fire hydrant--30 CFR 75.1103-11....  Annually..........................      35,700       0.500      17,850
                                         -------------------------------------
        Total...........................  ..................................     333,404  ..........      77,122
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    Total Annualized Capital/Startup Costs: $0.
    Total Annual Costs (operating/maintaining systems or purchasing 
services): $1,240.
    Description: Section 311(a) of the Mine Safety and Health Act of 
1977 (Pub. L. 91-173) states that each coal mine shall be provided with 
suitable firefighting equipment adapted for the size and conditions of 
the mine. 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 section 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 section 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 section 
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 
section 75.1103-11, each fire hydrant and hose must be tested at least 
once a year, and the records of those tests shall be kept in an 
appropriate location.

Ira L. Mills,
Departmental Clearance Officer.
[FR Doc. 03-18964 Filed 7-24-03; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4510-30-P