[Federal Register Volume 69, Number 223 (Friday, November 19, 2004)]
[Notices]
[Pages 67763-67764]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 04-25687]


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DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Mine Safety and Health Administration


Proposed Information Collection Request Submitted for Public 
Comment and Recommendations; Examinations & Testing of Electrical 
Equipment Including Exam, Testing, and Maintenance of High Voltage 
Longwalls

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,

[[Page 67764]]

collection instruments are clearly understood, and the impact of 
collection requirements on respondents can be properly assessed.

DATES: Submit comments on or before January 18, 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) 693-9827 (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

    It has long been known that inadequate maintenance of electric 
equipment is a major cause of serious electrical accidents in the coal 
mining industry. Improperly maintained electric equipment has also been 
responsible for many disastrous mine fires and explosions. The 
regulations also contain recordkeeping requirements which may in some 
instances help operators in implementing an effective maintenance 
program. The subject records of tests and examinations are examined by 
coal miners, coal mine officials, and MSHA inspectors. MSHA inspectors 
examine the records to determine if the required tests and examinations 
have been conducted, to identify units of electric equipment that may 
pose a potential safety hazard, to determine the probable cause of 
accidents during accident investigations, and to evaluate the 
effectiveness of the coal mine operator's electrical maintenance 
programs. By comparing the records with the actual condition of 
electric equipment, MSHA inspectors may in some cases be able to 
identify weaknesses in the coal mine operator's electrical maintenance 
programs and require that the weaknesses be corrected.

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 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 subject regulations require the mine operator to establish an 
electrical maintenance program by specifying minimum requirements for 
the examination, testing, and maintenance of electric equipment. It is 
imperative that mine operators adopt and follow an effective 
maintenance program to ensure that electric equipment is maintained in 
a safe operating condition if electrocutions, mine fires, and mine 
explosions are to be prevented. Because of fire, electrocution and 
explosion hazards in coal mines, mine operators are required to comply 
with these paperwork provisions. Reduction of these requirements could 
result in increased hazards to miners. A reduction in the frequency of 
examinations and tests could allow existing unsafe conditions to 
develop, jeopardizing the safety of miners.
    Type of Review: Extension.
    Agency: Mine Safety and Health Administration.
    Title: Examinations & Testing of Electrical Equipment Including 
Exam, Testing, and Maintenance of High Voltage Longwalls.
    OMB Number: 1219-0116.
    Frequency: Annually; Monthly; Weekly; On occasion.
    Affected Public: Business or other for-profit.

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                                                                      Total       Response time
            Cite/reference                     Frequency            responses        (hours)       Burden hours
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18.53(h).............................  Annual..................               3           1.1                3.3
75.820(b) and (e)....................  Annual..................          17,500            .083          1,453
78.821(d)............................  Annual..................           2,500           1.5            3,750
75.512 and 75.703 3(d)(11)...........  Weekly..................         760,100           0.5          380,050
77.502...............................  Monthly.................         271,272           1.25         339,090
75.800--3 & 4 and 77.800--1 & 2......  Monthly.................          31,188           0.75          23,391
75.900--3 & 4........................  Monthly.................          65,760           1.5           98,640
77.900--1 & 2........................  Monthly.................          18,084           0.75          13,563
75.1001--1(b) & (c)..................  6 Months................           1,836           1.5            2,754
75.351...............................  Monthly.................           7,128           1.25           8,910
                                      ---------------------------
    Total............................  ........................       1,175,371  ..............        871,604.3
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    Respondents: 1,600.
    Responses: 1,175,371.
    Total Burden Hours: 871,604.
    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 10th day of November, 2004.
David L. Meyer,
Director, Office of Administration and Management.
[FR Doc. 04-25687 Filed 11-18-04; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4510-43-P