[Federal Register Volume 71, Number 41 (Thursday, March 2, 2006)]
[Notices]
[Page 10719]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E6-2982]


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DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Mine Safety and Health Administration


Proposed Information Collection Request Submitted for Public 
Comment and Recommendations; Safety Standards for Roof Bolts in Metal 
and Nonmetal Mines and Underground Coal Mines

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 30 CFR 56.3203(a), 57.3203(a), and 75.204(a); 
Safety Standards for Roof Bolts in Metal and Nonmetal Mines and 
Underground Coal Mines.

DATES: Submit comments on or before May 1, 2006.

ADDRESSES: Send comments to U.S. Department of Labor, Mine Safety and 
Health Administration, John Rowlett, Director, Management Services 
Division, 1100 Wilson Boulevard, Room 2134, 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. Rowlett can be reached at (202) 693-9827 (voice), or 
(202) 693-9801 (facsimile).

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

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Background

    30 CFR 56/57.3203 and 75.204 address the quality of rock fixtures 
and their installation. Roof and rock bolts and accessories are an 
integral part of ground control systems and are used to prevent the 
fall of roof, face, and ribs. These standards require that metal and 
nonmetal and coal mine operators obtain a certification from the 
manufacturer that rock bolts and accessories are manufactured and 
tested in accordance with the 1995 American Society for Testing and 
Materials (ASTM) publication ``Standard Specification for Roof and Rock 
Bolts and Accessories'' (ASTM F432-95).

II. Desired Focus of Comments

    MSHA is particularly interested in comments that:
     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 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

    MSHA is seeking to continue the requirement for mine operators to 
obtain certification from the manufacturer that roof and rock bolts and 
accessories are manufactured and tested in accordance with the 
applicable American Society for testing and Materials (ASTM) 
specifications and make that certification available to an authorized 
representative of the Secretary.
    Type of Review: Extension.
    Agency: Mine Safety and Health Administration.
    Title: Safety Standards for Roof Bolts in Metal and Nonmetal Mines 
and Underground Coal Mines.
    OMB Number: 1219-0121.
    Frequency: On Occasion.
    Affected Public: Business or other for-profit.
    Respondents: 854.
    Estimated Time Per Respondent: .05 hours.
    Responses: 3,376.
    Total Burden Hours: 169 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 24th day of February, 2006.
David L. Meyer,
Director, Office of Administration and Management.
 [FR Doc. E6-2982 Filed 3-1-06; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4510-43-P