[Federal Register Volume 69, Number 54 (Friday, March 19, 2004)]
[Notices]
[Pages 13069-13070]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 04-6177]


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DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Mine Safety and Health Administration


Proposed Information Collection RequestSubmitted for Public 
Comment and Recommendations; Qualification and Certification Program

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 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 Sections 317(c) of the Federal Mine Safety 
and Health Act of 1977 (Mine Act), 30 U.S.C. 877(c), and 30 CFR 75.1702 
which prohibits persons from smoking or carrying smoking materials 
underground or in places where there is a fire or explosion hazard.

DATES: Submit comments on or before May 18, 2004.

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

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: , Darrin King, Chief, Records 
Management Division, U.S. Department of Labor, Mine Safety and Health 
Administration, Room 2139, 1100 Wilson Boulevard, Arlington, VA

[[Page 13070]]

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 the Mine Act and Sec.  75.1702, coal mine operators are 
required to develop programs to prevent persons from carrying smoking 
materials, matches, or lighters underground and to prevent smoking in 
hazardous areas, such as in or around oil houses, explosives magazines, 
etc. The Mine Act and the standard further require that the mine 
operator submit the program plan to MSHA for approval. The purpose of 
the program is to insure that a fire or explosion hazard does not 
occur.
    A cigarette lighter was found to be the cause of a mine explosion 
that took the lives of 13 men in December 1981 and there have been many 
other similar occurrences in the past. As recently as May 1994, a mine 
explosion resulted in two fatalities, serious injuries to other 
survivors and severe damage to the mine. MSHA's investigation 
determined that the explosion's most likely source of ignition was the 
open flame of a cigarette lighter or match.

II. Desired Focus of Comments

    MSHA is particularly interested in comments which:

     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;
     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;
     Enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the 
information to be collected; and
     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

    The mine operator uses the information to conduct the program. MSHA 
uses the information to determine the mine operator's compliance with 
the standard and that a program is developed and implemented to prevent 
smoking in hazardous areas.
    Type of Review: Extension.
    Agency: Mine Safety and Health Administration.
    Title: Program to Prevent Smoking in Hazardous Areas.
    OMB Number: 1219-0041.
    Recordkeeping: While there is no specific requirement that records 
be maintained for more than three years, all underground coal mines 
must have an approved smoking materials search plan in effect during 
the entire time they are operating.
    Frequency: On occasion.
    Affected Public: Business or other for-profit.
    Respondents: 184.
    Estimated Time Per Respondent: .5 hours.
    Total Burden Hours: 92 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 12th day of March, 2004.
David L. Meyer,
Director, Office of Administration and Management.
[FR Doc. 04-6177 Filed 3-18-04; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4510-43-P