[Federal Register Volume 69, Number 54 (Friday, March 19, 2004)]
[Notices]
[Pages 13071-13072]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 04-6179]


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

DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Mine Safety and Health Administration


Proposed Information Collection Request Submitted for Public 
Comment and Recommendations; Safety Defects, Examination, Correction, 
and Records

ACTION: Notice.

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

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.

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

ADDRESSES: Send comments to Darrin King, Chief, Records Management 
Branch, 1100 Wilson Boulevard, Room 2139, Arlington, VA 22209-3939. 
Commenters are encouraged to send their comments on a computer disk, or 
via Internet e-mail to [email protected], along with an original 
printed copy. Mr. King can be reached at (202) 693-9838 (voice), or 
(703) 693-9801 (facsimile).

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: The proposed information collection 
request may be viewed on the Internet by accessing the MSHA Home page 
(http://www.msha.gov) and selecting Statutory and Regulatory 
Information then Paperwork Reduction Act submission (http://www.msha.gov/regspwork.htm), or by contacting Darrin King, Records 
Management Branch, U.S. Department of Labor, Mine Safety and Health 
Administration, Room 2139, 1100 Wilson Boulevard, Arlington, VA 22209-
3939. Mr. King can be reached at [email protected] (Internet e-mail), 
(703) 693-9838 (voice), or (703) 693-9801 (facsimile).

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Background

    Title 30 CFR 56.13015 and 57.13015 require that compressed-air 
receivers and other unfired pressure vessels be inspected by inspectors 
holding a valid National Board Commission and in accordance with the 
applicable chapters of the National Board Inspection Code, a manual for 
Boiler and Pressure Vessels Inspectors, 1979.
    Title 30 CFR 56.13030 and 57.13030 require that fired pressure 
vessels (boilers) be equipped with safety devices approved by the 
American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) to protect against 
hazards from overpressure, flameouts, fuel interruptions and low water 
level. 56/57.13030 requires that records of inspections and repairs be 
retained by the mine operator in accordance with the requirements of 
the ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code and the National Board 
Inspection Code (progressive records--no limit on retention time) and 
made available to the Secretary or his/her authorized representative.
    Title 30 CFR 56.14100 and 57.14100 require equipment operators to 
inspect equipment, machinery, and tools that are to be used during a 
shift for safety defects before the equipment is placed in operation. 
Defects affecting safety are required to be corrected in a timely 
manner. In instances where the defect makes continued operation of the 
equipment unsafe, the standards require removal from service, tagging 
to identify that it is out of use, and repair before use is resumed.
    Title 30 CFR 56.18002 and 57.18002 require that a competent person 
designated by the operator shall examine each working place at least 
once each shift for conditions which may adversely affect safety or 
health. A record that such examinations were conducted shall be kept by 
the operator for a period of one year, and shall be made available for 
review by the Secretary or his/her authorized representative.

II. Desired Focus of Comments

    Currently, the Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) is 
soliciting comments concerning the proposed extension of the 
information collection related to the Safety Defects, Examination, 
Correction, and Records. 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;

[[Page 13072]]

     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.
    The proposed information collection request may be viewed on the 
Internet by accessing the MSHA home page (http://www.msha.gov), 
selecting ``Statutory and Regulatory Information,'' then ``Paperwork 
Reduction Act Submission,'' or by contacting the person listed in the 
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT section of this notice for a hard copy 
of this request.

III. Current Actions

    Inspection records denote any hazards that were discovered and how 
the hazards or unsafe conditions were abated. Federal inspectors use 
the records to ensure that unsafe conditions are identified early and 
corrected.
    Currently, the Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) is 
soliciting comments concerning the proposed extension of the 
information collection related to the Safety Defects, Examination, 
Correction, and Records.
    Type of Review: Extension.
    Agency: Mine Safety and Health Administration.
    Title: Safety Defects; Examination, Correction and Records.
    OMB Number: 1219-0089.
    Number of Respondents: 12,163.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                          Annual                                      Average     Annual  burden
           Cite/Reference                responses             Frequency          response  time       hours
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
30 CFR 56/57.13015..................           3,238  Annually..................            0.17             540
30 CFR 56/57.13030..................             488  Annually..................            0.17              81
30 CFR 56/57.14100..................       8,999,857  Per shift.................            0.08         719,989
30 CFR 56/57.18002..................       2,438,987  Per shift.................            0.20         487,797
                                     ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Grand Total:....................      11,442,570  ..........................  ..............       1,208,407
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    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 in Arlington, Virginia, this 12th day of March, 2004.
David L. Meyer,
Director, Office of Administration and Management.
[FR Doc. 04-6179 Filed 3-18-04; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4510-43-P