[Federal Register Volume 69, Number 159 (Friday, October 8, 2004)]
[Notices]
[Pages 60437-60438]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 04-22682]


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DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Mine Safety and Health Administration


Proposed Information Collection Request Submitted for Public 
Comment and Recommendations; Rock Burst Control Plan

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

[[Page 60438]]

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 ensure that 
requested data is 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 December 7, 2004.

ADDRESSES: Send comments to Melissa Stoehr, Acting Chief, Records 
Management Branch, 1100 Wilson Boulevard, Room 2134, Arlington, VA 
22209-3939. Commenters are encouraged to send their comments on 
computer disk, or via e-mail to [email protected]. Ms. Stoehr can 
be reached at (202) 693-9837 (voice), or (202) 693-9801 (facsimile).

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Contact the employee listed in the 
ADDRESSES section of this notice.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Background

    When rock bursts occur in an underground mine, they pose a serious 
threat to the safety of miners in the area affected by the burst. These 
bursts may reasonably be expected to result in the entrapment, serious 
physical harm, or death, of miners. Recently developed mining 
technology now permits mine operators to monitor rock stresses, which 
helps predict an impending burst. These predictions can be used by a 
mine operator to move miners to safer locations and to establish areas 
that need relief drilling. Title 30, Section 57.3461 requires operators 
of underground metal and nonmetal mines to develop a rock burst control 
plan within 90 days after a rock burst has occurred.

II. Desired Focus of Comments

    Currently, the Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) is 
soliciting comments concerning the proposed extension of the 
information collection requirement related to the Rock Burst Control 
Plans. MSHA is particularly interested in comments that:
    * Evaluate whether the proposed collection of information is 
necessary for the proper performance of MSHA's functions, including 
whether the information has practical utility;
    * Evaluate the accuracy of MSHA's estimate of the burden of the 
proposed collection of information, including the validity of the 
methodology and assumptions used;
    * Suggest methods to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of 
the information to be collected; and
    * Address 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)to minimize the burden of the collection of information on 
those who are to respond.
    A copy of the proposed information collection request can be 
obtained by contacting the employee listed in the ADDRESSES 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

    This information collection needs to be extended to protect miners 
from entrapment, serious physical harm, or death, in metal and nonmetal 
underground mines with a history of rock bursts.
    Type of Review: Extension.
    Agency: Mine Safety and Health Administration.
    Title: Rock Burst Control Plans.
    OMB Number: 1219-0097.
    Recordkeeping: The control plan must be maintained at all times and 
updated as conditions warrant.
    Affected Public: Business or other for-profit.
    Frequency: On occasion.
    Cite/Reference/Form/etc: 30 CFR 57.3461.
    Total Respondents: 2.
    Total Responses: 2.
    Average Time per Response: 12 hours.
    Estimated Total Burden Hours: 24 hours.
    Total Annualized Capital/Startup Costs: $0.
    Total Operating and Maintenance Costs: $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 October, 2004.
David L. Meyer,
Director, Office of Administration and Management.
[FR Doc. 04-22682 Filed 10-7-04; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4510-43-P