[Federal Register Volume 71, Number 175 (Monday, September 11, 2006)]
[Notices]
[Pages 53480-53481]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E6-14915]


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DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Mine Safety and Health Administration


Proposed Information Collection Request Submitted for Public 
Comment and Recommendations; Mine Rescue Teams; Arrangements for 
Emergency Medical Assistance; and Arrangements for Transportation for 
Injured Persons

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: The Department of Labor, as part of its continuing effort to 
reduce

[[Page 53481]]

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 Sections 49.2 through 49.4, 49.6 
through 49.9, 75.1713-1, and 77.1702; Mine Rescue Teams; Arrangements 
for Emergency Medical Assistance; and Arrangements for Transportation 
for Injured Persons.

DATES: Submit comments on or before November 13, 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 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: Contact the employee listed in the 
ADDRESSES section of this notice.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

 I. Background

    Section 115(e) of the Federal Mine Safety and Health Act of 1977 
(Mine Act) required the Secretary of Labor (Secretary) to publish 
proposed regulations which provide that mine rescue teams be available 
for rescue and recovery work to each underground mine in the event of 
an emergency. In addition, the costs of making advance arrangements for 
such teams are to be borne by the operator of each such mine.
    Congress considered the ready availability of mine rescue in the 
event of an accident to be vital protection for miners. Congress was 
concerned that too often in the past, rescue efforts at a disaster site 
have had to await the delayed arrival of skilled mine rescue teams. In 
responding to Congressional concerns, the Mine Safety and Health 
Administration (MSHA) promulgated 30 CFR Part 49, Mine Rescue Teams. 
The regulations set standards related to the availability of mine 
rescue teams; alternate mine rescue capability for small and remote 
mines and mines with special mining conditions; inspection and 
maintenance records of mine rescue equipment and apparatus; physical 
requirements for mine rescue team members and alternates; and 
experience and training requirements for team members and alternates.

 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 FOR FURTHER 
INFORMATION CONTACT 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

    Under 30 CFR 49, Mine Rescue Teams, the regulations set standards 
related to the availability of mine rescue teams; alternate mine rescue 
capability for small and remote mines and mines with special mining 
conditions; inspection and maintenance records of mine rescue equipment 
and apparatus; physical requirements for mine rescue team members and 
alternates; and experience and training requirements for team members 
and alternates. Parts 75 and 77 requires that coal mine operators make 
arrangements with a licensed physician, medical service, medical 
clinic, or hospital and with an ambulance service to provide 24-hour 
emergency medical assistance and transportation. That information is to 
be posted at the mine.
    Type of Review: Extension.
    Agency: Mine Safety and Health Administration.
    Title: Mine Rescue Teams; Arrangements for Emergency Medical 
Assistance; and Arrangements for Transportation for Injured Persons.
    OMB Number: 1219-0078.
    Recordkeeping: Sec.  49.6 states that rescue apparatus and 
equipment shall be maintained and that a person trained in the use and 
care of breathing apparatus shall inspect and test the apparatus at 
lease every 30 days and shall certify by signature and date that the 
inspections and tests were done. The certification and the record of 
corrective action taken, if any, shall be maintained at the mine rescue 
station for a period of one year. Sec.  49.7 requires that each team 
member and alternate be examined within 60 days of the beginning of the 
initial training, and annually thereafter by a physician who shall 
certify the physical fitness of the team member to perform mine rescue 
and recovery work for prolonged periods under strenuous conditions. The 
operator shall have MSHA Form 5000-3 on file for each team member. 
These forms shall be kept on file at either the mine or the mine rescue 
station for a period of one year. Sec.  49.8 requires that prior to 
serving on a mine rescue team, each member must complete an initial 20-
hour course of instruction and all team members are required to receive 
40 hours of refresher training annually. A record of the training 
received by each mine rescue team member is required to be on file at 
the mine rescue station for a period of one year.
    Frequency: On Occasion.
    Affected Public: Business or other for-profit.
    Respondents: 1,072.
    Responses: 45,270.
    Burden Hours: 24,366.
    Total Burden Cost: $648K.
    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 31st day of August, 2006.
David L. Meyer,
Director, Office of Administration and Management.
[FR Doc. E6-14915 Filed 9-8-06; 8:45 am]
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