[Federal Register Volume 71, Number 221 (Thursday, November 16, 2006)]
[Notices]
[Pages 66801-66802]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E6-19393]


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DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Mine Safety and Health Administration


Notice Proposed Information Collection Request; Submitted for 
Public Comment and Recommendations; Ventilation Plans, Tests, and 
Examinations in Underground Coal Mines

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 Sections 75.310, 312, 342, 351, 360, 
361, 362, 363, 364, 370, 371, and 382.

DATES: Submit comments on or before January 16, 2007.

ADDRESSES: Send comments to Debbie Ferraro, Management Analyst, 
Administration and Management, 1100 Wilson Boulevard, Room 2171, 
Arlington, VA 22209-3939. Commenters are encouraged to send their 
comments on computer disk or via E-mail to [email protected], 
along with an original printed copy. Ms. Ferraro can be reached at 
(202) 693-9821 (voice), or (202) 693-9801 (facsimile).

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

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Background

    An underground mine is a maze of tunnels that must be adequately 
ventilated with fresh air to provide a safe environment for miners. 
Methane is liberated from the strata, and noxious gases and dusts from 
blasting and other mining activities may be present. The explosive and 
noxious gases and dusts must be diluted, rendered harmless, and carried 
to the surface by the ventilating currents.
    Sufficient air must be provided to maintain the level of respirable 
dust at or below 2 milligrams per cubic meter of air and air quality 
must be maintained in accordance with MSHA standards. Mechanical 
ventilation equipment of sufficient capacity must operate at all times 
while miners are in the mine. Ground conditions are subject to frequent 
changes, thus sufficient tests and examinations are necessary to ensure 
the integrity of the ventilation system and to detect any changes that 
may require adjustments in the system. Records of tests and 
examinations are necessary to ensure that the ventilation system is 
being maintained and that changes which could adversely affect the 
integrity of the system or the safety of the miners are not occurring. 
These examination requirements of Sec. Sec.  75.310, 75.312, 75.342, 
75.351, 75.360 through 75.364, 75.370, 75.371, and 75.382 also 
incorporate examinations of other critical aspects of the underground 
work environment such as roof conditions and electrical equipment which 
have historically cased numerous fatalities if not properly maintained 
and operated.

II. Desired Focus of Comments

    Currently, the Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) is 
soliciting comments concerning the proposed extension of the 
information collection 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

[[Page 66802]]

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

    Records of tests and examinations are necessary to ensure that the 
ventilation system is being maintained and that changes which could 
adversely affect the integrity of the system or the safety of the 
miners are not occurring.
    Type of Review: Extension.
    Agency: Mine Safety and Health Administration.
    Title: Ventilation Plans, Tests, and Examinations in Underground 
Coal Mines.
    OMB Number: 1219-0088.
    Frequency: On Occasion.
    Affected Public: Business or other for-profit.
    Respondents: 612.
    Responses: 300,162.
    Total Burden Hours: 1,824,456.
    Total Burden Cost (operating/maintaining): $160,203.
    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 8th day of November, 2006.
David L. Meyer,
Director, Office of Administration and Management.
 [FR Doc. E6-19393 Filed 11-15-06; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4510-43-P