[Federal Register Volume 71, Number 204 (Monday, October 23, 2006)]
[Notices]
[Pages 62123-62124]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E6-17672]


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DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Office of the Secretary


Submission for OMB Review: Comment Request

October 17, 2006.
    The Department of Labor (DOL) has submitted the following public 
information collection requests (ICR) to the Office of Management and 
Budget (OMB) for review and approval in accordance with the Paperwork 
Reduction Act of 1995 (Pub. L. 104-13, 44 U.S.C. chapter 35). A copy of 
each ICR, with applicable supporting documentation, may be obtained 
from RegInfo.gov at http://www.reginfo.gov/public/do/PRAMain or by 
contacting Darrin King on 202-693-4129 (this is not a toll-free number) 
/ e-mail: [email protected].
    Comments should be sent to Office of Information and Regulatory 
Affairs, Attn: OMB Desk Officer for the Mine Safety and Health 
Administration (MSHA), Office of Management and Budget, Room 10235, 
Washington, DC 20503, telephone: 202-395-7316 / Fax: 202-395-6974 
(these are not a toll-free numbers), within 30 days from the date of 
this publication in the Federal Register.
    The OMB is particularly interested in comments which:
     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 submission of responses.
    Agency: Mine Safety and Health Administration.
    Type of Review: Extension without change of currently approved 
collection.
    Title: Main Fan Operation and Inspection.
    OMB Number: 1219-0030.
    Type of Response: Recordkeeping.
    Affected Public: Private Sector: Business or other for-profit.
    Number of Respondents: 8.
    Estimated Number of Annual Responses: 5,280.
    Average Response Time: 30 minutes.
    Estimated Annual Burden Hours: 2,640.
    Total Annualized Capital/Startup Costs: $0.
    Total Annual Costs (Operating/Maintaining Systems or Purchasing 
Services): $1,120.
    Description: Title 30, Code of Federal Regulations, Sec.  57.22204, 
which is applicable only to specific metal and nonmetal underground 
mines that are categorized as gassy, requires main fans to have 
pressure recording systems. Main fans are to be inspected daily while 
operating if persons are underground, and certification of the 
inspection is to be made by signature and date. Certifications and 
pressure recordings are to be kept for one year and made available to 
authorized representatives of the Secretary. Potentially gassy 
(explosive) conditions underground are largely controlled by the main 
fans. When accumulations of explosive gases such as methane are not 
swept from the mine by the main fans, they may reasonably be expected 
to contact an ignition source. The results are usually disastrous and 
multiple fatalities may be expected to occur. The main fan requirements 
of this standard are significantly more stringent than those imposed on 
nongassy mines. Information collected through the pressure recordings 
is used by the mine operator and MSHA to ensure that unsafe conditions 
are identified early and corrected.
    Agency: Mine Safety and Health Administration.
    Type of Review: Extension without change of currently approved 
collection.
    Title: Escape and Evacuation Plan (Pertains to Surface Coal Mines & 
Surface Work Areas of Underground Coal Mines).
    OMB Number: 1219-0051.
    Type of Response: Recordkeeping.
    Affected Public: Private Sector: Business or other for-profit.
    Number of Respondents: 348.
    Estimated Number of Annual Responses: 348.
    Average Response Time: approximately 5 hours for new plans and 2.5 
hours for revised plans.
    Estimated Annual Burden Hours: 1,680.

[[Page 62124]]

    Total Annualized Capital/Startup Costs: $0.
    Total Annual Costs (Operating/Maintaining Systems or Purchasing 
Services): $0.
    Description: Title 30, Code of Federal Regulations, Sec.  
77.1101(a) requires operators of surface coal mines, including surface 
facilities, and surface work areas of underground coal mines to 
establish and keep current a specific escape and evacuation plan to be 
followed in the event of a fire.
    Section 77.1101(b) requires that all employees be instructed in 
current escape and evacuation plans, fire alarm signals, and applicable 
procedures to be followed in case of fire. The training and record 
keeping requirements associated with this standard are addressed under 
OMB No. 1219-0009 (Training Plan Regulations).
    Section 77.1101(c) requires that escape and evacuation plans 
include the designation and proper maintenance of adequate means for 
exiting areas where persons are required to work or travel including 
buildings, equipment, and in areas where persons normally congregate 
during the work shift.
    The escape and evacuation plan is prepared by the mine operator and 
is used by mines, MSHA, and persons involved in rescue and recovery. 
The plan is used to instruct employees in the proper methods of exiting 
structures in the event of a fire. MSHA inspection personnel use the 
plan to determine compliance with the standard requiring a means of 
escape and evacuation be established and the requirement that employees 
be instructed in the procedures to follow should a fire occur.
    Agency: Mine Safety and Health Administration.
    Type of Review: Extension without change of currently approved 
collection.
    Title: Records of Preshift and Onshift Inspections of Slope and 
Shaft Areas. (Pertains to slope and shaft sinking operations at coal 
mines).
    OMB Number: 1219-0082.
    Type of Response: Recordkeeping.
    Affected Public: Private Sector: Business or other for-profit.
    Number of Respondents: 35.
    Estimated Number of Annual Responses: 11,858.
    Average Response Time: Approximately 1.25 hours.
    Estimated Annual Burden Hours: 14,823.
    Total Annualized Capital/Startup Costs: $0.
    Total Annual Costs (Operating/Maintaining Systems or Purchasing 
Services): $0.
    Description: Title 30, Code of Federal Regulations, 77.1901 
requires operators to conduct examinations of slope and shaft areas for 
hazardous conditions, including tests for methane and oxygen 
deficiency, within 90 minutes before each shift, once during each 
shift, and before and after blasting. The surface area surrounding each 
slope and shaft is also required to be inspected for hazards.
    The standard also requires that a record be kept of the results of 
the inspections. The record includes a description of any hazardous 
condition found and the corrective action taken to abate it. The record 
is necessary to ensure that the inspections and tests are conducted in 
a timely fashion and that corrective action is taken when hazardous 
conditions are identified, thereby ensuring a safe working environment 
for the slope and shaft sinking employees. The record is maintained at 
the mine site for the duration of the operation.
    The records are used by slope and shaft supervisors and employees, 
State mine inspectors, and Federal mine inspectors. The records show 
that the examinations and tests were conducted and give insight into 
the hazardous conditions that have been encountered and those that may 
be encountered. The records of inspections greatly assist those who use 
them in making decisions that will ultimately affect the safety and 
health of slope and shaft sinking employees.

Ira L. Mills,
Departmental Clearance Officer.
 [FR Doc. E6-17672 Filed 10-20-06; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4510-43-P