[Federal Register Volume 69, Number 216 (Tuesday, November 9, 2004)]
[Notices]
[Pages 64979-64980]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 04-24900]


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DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Mine Safety and Health Administration


Proposed Information Collection Request Submitted for Public 
Comment and Recommendations; Records of Tests and Examinations of 
Personnel Hoisting Equipment

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 
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 January 10, 2005.

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

    These requirements provide for a record of specific test and 
inspections of a mine's personnel hoisting systems, including the wire 
rope, to ensure that the system remains safe to operate. Review of the 
record indicates whether deficiencies are developing in the equipment, 
in particular the wire rope, so that corrective action may be taken 
before an accident occurs. The requirements also provide for a 
systematic procedure for the inspection, testing, and maintenance of 
shaft and hoisting equipment. The mine operator must certify that the 
required inspections, tests, and maintenance have been made then record 
any unsafe condition identified during the examination or test.
    The precise format in which the record is kept is left to the 
discretion of the mine operator. All records are made by the person 
conducting the required examination or test. Unless otherwise noted 
below, these records are to be retained for one year at the mine site.

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 Records of Tests and 
Examinations of Personnel Hoisting Equipment. 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

[[Page 64980]]

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

    The information is used by industry management and maintenance 
personnel to project the expected safe service performance of hoist and 
shaft equipment; to indicate when maintenance and specific tests need 
to be performed; and to ensure that wire rope attached to the personnel 
conveyance is replaced in time to maintain the necessary safety for 
miners. Federal inspectors use the records to ensure that inspections 
are conducted, unsafe conditions identified early and corrected. The 
consequence of hoist or shaft equipment malfunctions or wire rope 
failures can result in serious injuries and fatalities. It is essential 
that MSHA inspectors be able to verify that mine operators are properly 
inspecting their hoist and shaft equipment and maintaining it in safe 
condition.
    Type of Review: Extension.
    Agency: Mine Safety and Health Administration.
    Title: Record of Tests and Examinations of Personnel Hoisting 
Equipment.
    OMB Number: 1219-0034.
    Affected Public: Business or other for-profit.
    Frequency: Daily, Bi-weekly, Bi-monthly, Semi-annually, On 
occasion.
    Recordkeeping: One year.
    Number of Respondents: 249.
    Number of Responses: 252,484.
    Estimated Time per Response: .27 hours.
    Total Burden Hours: 67,698.
    Total Annualized Capital/Startup Costs: $0.
    Total Operating and Maintenance Costs: $298,800.
    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 22nd day of October 2004.
David L. Meyer,
Director, Office of Administration and Management.
[FR Doc. 04-24900 Filed 11-8-04; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4510-43-P