[Federal Register Volume 68, Number 154 (Monday, August 11, 2003)]
[Notices]
[Pages 47619-47620]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 03-20363]


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

DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Mine Safety and Health Administration


Proposed Information Collection Request Submitted for Public 
Comment and Recommendations; Main Fan Operation and Inspection

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 57.22204, Main Fan Operation.

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

    Title 30, CFR 57.22204, which is applicable only to specific 
underground mines that are categorized as gassy requires main fans to 
have pressure-recording systems. Main fans are to be inspected daily 
while operating if persons are underground, and certification of the 
inspection is to be made by signature and date. When accumulations of 
explosive gases such as methane are not swept from the mine by the main 
fans, they may reasonably be expected to contact an ignition source. 
The results are usually disastrous and multiple fatalities may be 
expected to occur. The main fan requirements of this standard are 
significantly more stringent than those imposed on non-gassy 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,

[[Page 47620]]

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

    Information collected through the pressure recordings is used by 
the mine operator and MSHA for maintaining a constant vigil on mine 
ventilation, and to ensure that unsafe conditions are identified early 
and corrected. Technical consultants may occasionally review the 
information when solving problems.
    Type of Review: Extension.
    Agency: Mine Safety and Health Administration.
    Title: Main Fan Operation and Inspection.
    OMB Number: 1219-0030.
    Recordkeeping: Section 57.22204 requires that main fans are to be 
inspected daily while operating if persons are underground, and 
certification of the inspection is to be made by signature and date. 
Certifications and pressure recordings are to be kept for one year and 
made available to authorized representatives of the Secretary.
    Frequency: On occasion.
    Affected Public: Business or other for-profit.
    Respondents: 7.
    Total Responses: 3,465.
    Average Time Per Response: 30 minutes.
    Total Burden Hours: 1,733 hours.
    Total Burden Cost (capital/startup): $735.
    Total Burden Cost (operating/maintaining): $735.
    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. 03-20363 Filed 8-8-03; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4510-43-P