[Federal Register Volume 71, Number 209 (Monday, October 30, 2006)]
[Notices]
[Page 63359]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E6-18160]


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DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Office of the Secretary


Submission for OMB Review: Comment Request

October 23, 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: Daily Inspection of Surface Coal Mines; Certified Person; 
Reports of Inspection (Pertains to Surface Coal Mines).
    OMB Number: 1219-0083.
    Type of Response: Recordkeeping.
    Affected Public: Private Sector: Business or other for-profit.
    Number of Respondents: 1,620.
    Estimated Number of Annual Responses: 492,480.
    Average Response Time: Approximately 1.5 hours.
    Estimated Annual Burden Hours: 738,720.
    Total Annualized capital/startup costs: $0.
    Total Annual Costs (operating/maintaining systems or purchasing 
services): $0.
    Description: Section 77.1713, Title 30 of the Code of Federal 
Regulations requires coal mine operators to conduct examinations of 
each active working area of surface mines, active surface installations 
at these mines, and preparation plants not associated with underground 
coal mines for hazardous conditions during each shift. A report of 
hazardous conditions detected must be entered into a record book along 
with a description of any corrective actions taken.
    The records are used by MSHA inspectors to determine compliance 
with the standard, and that any hazards found have either been 
corrected or barricaded. These records are used by mine operators to 
identify areas of the mine or equipment that present hazards to miners 
and, therefore, must be corrected to prevent miner injuries or death. 
Repeated hazardous conditions in any area or involving a particular 
piece of equipment would indicate to the operator the need for 
modification of operating procedures or replacement or repair of 
equipment.
    Agency: Mine Safety and Health Administration.
    Type of Review: Extension without change of currently approved 
collection.
    Title: Explosive Materials and Blasting Units (pertains to metal 
and nonmetal underground mines deemed to be gassy).
    OMB Number: 1219-0095.
    Type of Response: Reporting.
    Affected Public: Private Sector: Business or other for-profit.
    Number of Respondents: 1.
    Estimated Number of Annual Responses: 1.
    Average Response Time: 1 hour.
    Estimated Annual Burden Hours: 1.
    Total Annualized capital/startup costs: $0.
    Total Annual Costs (operating/maintaining systems or purchasing 
services): $0.
    Description: Under Title 30 U.S. Code of Federal Regulations Parts 
7 and MSHA evaluates and approves explosive materials and blasting 
units as permissible for use in the mining industry. However, since 
there are no permissible explosives or blasting units available that 
have adequate blasting capacity for some metal and nonmetal gassy 
mines, 30 CFR 57.22606(a) outlines the procedures for mine operators to 
follow when using non-approved explosive materials and blasting units. 
The standard provides that mine operators of metal or nonmetal gassy 
mines must notify MSHA in writing prior to their use of non-approved 
explosive materials and blasting units. MSHA then evaluates the non-
approved explosive materials and determines whether they are safe for 
use in a potentially gassy environment.
    MSHA uses the information provided by the mine operator to 
determine whether non-approved blasting materials and explosives and 
procedures are safe for use in a gassy underground metal or nonmetal 
mine. Without such determinations, miners may be exposed to significant 
safety risks.

Ira L. Mills,
Departmental Clearance Officer.
[FR Doc. E6-18160 Filed 10-27-06; 8:45 am]
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