[Federal Register Volume 72, Number 50 (Thursday, March 15, 2007)]
[Notices]
[Page 12200]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E7-4723]


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DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Mine Safety and Health Administration


Proposed Information Collection Request Submitted for Public 
Comment and Recommendations; Safety Standards for Underground Coal Mine 
Ventilation--Belt Entry Used as an Intake Air Course To Ventilate 
Working Sections and Areas Where Mechanized Mining Equipment Is Being 
Installed or Removed

ACTION: Notice.

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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 30 CFR Sections 75.350, 75.351, 75.352 and 
75.371.

DATES: Submit comments on or before May 14, 2007.

ADDRESSES: Send comments to, Debbie Ferraro, Management Services 
Division, 1100 Wilson Boulevard, Room 2171, Arlington, VA 22209-3939. 
Commenters are encouraged to send their comments on computer disk, or 
via Internet E-mail to [email protected]. 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

    The Safety Standards for Underground Coal Mine Ventilation--Belt 
Entry rule provides safety requirements for the use of the conveyor 
belt entry as a ventilation intake to course fresh air to working 
sections and areas where mechanized mining equipment is being installed 
or removed in mines with three or more entries. This rule is a 
voluntary standard. If the mine operators choose to use belt air to 
ventilate working places, the provisions will maintain the level of 
safety in underground mines while allowing them to implement advances 
in mining atmospheric monitoring technology. This rule offers alternate 
provisions that mine operators need to follow if they want to use belt 
air to ventilate working sections.

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

    This request for collection of information from mine operators that 
elect to use belt air to ventilate working sections and areas where 
mechanized equipment is being installed or removed will be used by coal 
mine supervisors and employees, State mine inspectors, and Federal mine 
inspectors. The information will provide 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 miners working in belt air mines.
    Type of Review: Extension.
    Agency: Mine Safety and Health Administration.
    Title: Safety Standards for Underground Coal Mine Ventilation--Belt 
Entry Used as an Intake Air Course to Ventilate Working Sections and 
Areas Where Mechanized Mining Equipment Is Being Installed or Removed.
    OMB Number: 1219-0138.
    Frequency: On Occasion.
    Affected Public: Business or other for-profit.
    Respondents: 45.
    Total Burden Hours: 9758.
    Total Burden Cost (operating/maintaining): $87,137.
    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 9th day of March, 2007.
David L. Meyer,
Director, Office of Administration and Management.
[FR Doc. E7-4723 Filed 3-14-07; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4510-43-P