[Federal Register Volume 72, Number 37 (Monday, February 26, 2007)]
[Notices]
[Pages 8402-8403]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E7-3141]


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DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Office of the Secretary


Submission for OMB Review: Comment Request

February 20, 2007.

    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 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 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: Ventilation Plans, Tests and Examinations in Underground 
Coal Mines.
    OMB Number: 1219-0088.
    Type of Response: Recordkeeping and Reporting.
    Affected Public: Private Sector: Business or other for-profit.
    Number of Respondents: 612.
    Estimated Number of Annual Responses: 1,848,393.
    Average Response Time: varies by task and size of mine.
    Estimated Annual Burden Hours: 1,824,456.
    Total Annualized capital/startup costs: $0.
    Total Annual Costs (operating/maintaining systems or purchasing 
services): $160,203.
    Description: Section 303 of the Federal Mine Safety and Health Act 
of 1977 requires that all coal mines shall be ventilated by mechanical 
ventilation equipment installed and operated in a manner approved by an 
authorized representative of the Secretary and such equipment shall be 
examined daily and a record shall be kept of such examination.
    Underground coal mines usually present harsh and hostile working 
environments. The ventilation system is the most vital life support 
system in underground mining and a properly operating ventilation 
system is essential for maintaining a safe and healthful working 
environment. Lack of adequate ventilation in underground mines has 
resulted in fatalities from asphyxiation and explosions.
    An underground mine is a maze of tunnels that must be adequately

[[Page 8403]]

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, 
reporting and recordkeeping 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 caused numerous fatalities if not properly maintained 
and operated.
    The records give notice to mine management and the miners on the 
oncoming shift of mine conditions, identify hazards on working sections 
during the previous shift, and verify that proper ventilation is being 
maintained. The information is available to all interested persons at 
the mine to assure them that the integrity of the ventilation system is 
being provided for the miners. MSHA inspectors use the records to 
determine that tests and examinations, required by the standards, are 
made.

Darrin A. King,
Acting Departmental Clearance Officer.
 [FR Doc. E7-3141 Filed 2-23-07; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4510-43-P