[Federal Register Volume 69, Number 43 (Thursday, March 4, 2004)]
[Notices]
[Pages 10265-10266]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 04-4837]


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DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Mine Safety and Health Administration


Proposed Information Collection Request Submitted for Public 
Comment and Recommendations; Applications for a Permit to Fire More 
Than 20 Boreholes, for the Use of Nonpermissible Blasting Units, 
Explosives, and Shot-firing Units

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 preclearance 
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 proposed extension of the 
information collection related to the application for a permit to fire 
more than 20 boreholes, for the use of nonpermissible blasting units, 
and for the use of nonpermissible explosives and nonpermissible shot-
firing units, and posting of warning notices with regard to mis-fired 
explosives.

DATES: Submit comments on or before May 3, 2004.

ADDRESSES: Send comments to Darrin King, Chief, Records Management 
Division, 1100 Wilson Boulevard, Room 2139, Arlington, VA 22209-3939. 
Commenters are encouraged to send their comments on a computer disk, or 
via e-mail to [email protected], along with an original printed copy. 
Mr. King can be reached at (202) 693-9838 (voice) or 202-693-9801 
(facsimile).

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: A copy of the proposed information 
collection request and further information may be obtained by 
contacting Darrin King, Chief, Records Management Division, U.S. 
Department of Labor, Mine Safety and Health Administration, 1100 Wilson 
Boulevard, Room 2139, Arlington, VA 22209-3939. Mr. King can be reached 
at [email protected] (Internet e-mail), (202) 693-9838 (voice), or 
(202) 693-9801(facsimile).

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Background

    Under section 313 of the Federal Mine Safety and Health Act of 1977 
(Mine Act), 30 U.S.C. 873, a mine operator is required to use 
permissible explosives in underground coal mines. The Mine Act also 
provides that under safeguards prescribed by the Secretary of Labor, a 
mine operator may permit the firing of more than 20 shots and the use 
of nonpermissible explosives in sinking shafts and slopes from the 
surface in rock. Title 30 CFR 75.1321 outlines the procedures by which 
a permit may be issued for the firing of more than 20 boreholes and/or 
the use of nonpermissible shot-firing units in underground coal mines. 
In those instances in which there is a misfire of explosives, 30 CFR 
75.1327 requires that a qualified person post each accessible entrance 
to the affected area with a warning to prohibit entry. Title 30 CFR 
77.1909-1 outlines the procedures by which a coal mine operator may 
apply for a permit to use nonpermissible explosives and/or shot-firing 
units in the blasting of rock while sinking shafts or slopes for 
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.

III. Current Actions

    Title 30 CFR 75.1321, 75.1327 and 77.1901-1 provide MSHA District 
Managers with the authority to address unusual but reoccurring blasting 
practices needed for breaking rock types more resilient than coal and 
for misfires in blasting coal. MSHA uses the information requested to 
issue permits to mine operators or shaft and slope

[[Page 10266]]

contractors for the use of nonpermissible explosives and/or shot-firing 
units under 30 CFR part 77, subpart T--Slope and Shaft Sinking. Similar 
permits are issued by MSHA to underground coal mine operators for 
shooting more than 20 bore holes and/or for the use of nonpermissible 
shot firing units when requested under 30 CFR part 75, subpart N--
Explosives and Blasting. The approved permits allow the use of specific 
equipment and explosives in limited applications and under exceptional 
circumstances where standard coal blasting techniques or equipment is 
inadequate to the task. These permits inform mine management and the 
miners of the steps to be employed to protect the safety of any person 
exposed to such blasting while using nonpermissible items. Also, the 
posting of danger/warning signs at entrances to locations where an 
misfired blast hole or round remains indisposed is a safety precaution 
predating the Coal Mine Safety and Health Act.
    Type of Review: Extension (without change).
    Agency: Mine Safety and Health Administration.
    Title: Application for a Permit to Fire More than 20 Boreholes for 
the use of Nonpermissible Blasting Units, Explosives, and Shot-firing 
Units.
    OMB Number: 1219-0025.
    Affected Public: Business or other for-profit institutions.

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                                     Total                                 Total       Average time per   Burden
        Cite/reference            respondents         Frequency          responses         response      (hours)
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75.1321 Permit Appl...........              19  On Occasion.........              19  1 hour...........     19
75.1327 Misfire Notices Posted              57  On Occasion.........              57  20 minutes.......     19
77.1909-1 Permit APL..........              29  On Occasion.........              29  1 hour...........     29
                               -----------------
    Totals....................  ..............  ....................             105  .................     67
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    Total Burden Cost (capital/startup): $0.
    Total Burden Cost (operating/maintaining): $588.
    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 26th day of February, 2004.
David L. Meyer,
Director, Office of Administration and Management.
[FR Doc. 04-4837 Filed 3-3-04; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4510-43-P