[Federal Register Volume 68, Number 154 (Monday, August 11, 2003)]
[Notices]
[Pages 47617-47618]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 03-20361]


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DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Mine Safety and Health Administration


Proposed Information Collection Request Submitted for Public 
Comment and Recommendations; Explosive Materials and Blasting Units

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: The Department of Labor, as part of its continuing effort to 
reduce

[[Page 47618]]

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 30 CFR 57.22606(a); Explosive Materials and 
Blasting Units.

DATES: Submit comments on or before October 10, 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

    MSHA evaluates and approves explosive materials and blasting units 
as permissible for use in the mining industry. However, since there are 
no permissible explosives or blasting units available that have 
adequate blasting capacity for some metal and nonmetal gassy mines, 
Standard 57.22606(a) was promulgated to provide procedures for mine 
operators to follow for the use of non-approved explosive materials and 
blasting units. Mine operators must notify MSHA in writing, of all non-
approved explosive materials and blasting units to be used prior to 
their use. MSHA evaluates the non-approved explosive materials and 
determines if they are safe for blasting in a potentially gassy 
environment.

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 uses the information to determine that the explosives and 
blasting procedures to be used in a gassy underground mine are safe. 
Federal inspectors use the notification to ensure that safe procedures 
are followed.
    Type of Review: Extension.
    Agency: Mine Safety and Health Administration.
    Title: Explosive Materials and Blasting Units.
    OMB Number: 1219-0095.
    Frequency: On occasion.
    Affected Public: Business or other for-profit.
    Respondents: 2.
    Average Time Per Respondent: 1 hour.
    Total Burden Hours: 2 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 first day of August 2003.
David L. Meyer,
Director, Office of Administration and Management.
[FR Doc. 03-20361 Filed 8-8-03; 8:45 am]
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