[Federal Register Volume 72, Number 67 (Monday, April 9, 2007)]
[Notices]
[Page 17590]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E7-6605]


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DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Mine Safety and Health Administration


Proposed Information Collection Request Submitted for Public 
Comment and Recommendations; Program to Prevent Smoking in Hazardous 
Areas

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 the Sections 317(c) of the Federal Mine Safety 
and Health Act of 1977 (Mine Act), 30 U.S.C. 877(c), and 30 CFR 75.1702 
which prohibits persons from smoking or carrying smoking materials 
underground or in places where there is a fire or explosion hazard. 
Section 75.1702-1 requires that the mine operator submit the program 
plan to MSHA for approval.

DATES: Submit comments on or before June 8, 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

    Under the Mine Act and Sec.  75.1702, coal mine operators are 
required to develop programs to prevent persons from carrying smoking 
materials, matches, or lighters underground and to prevent smoking in 
hazardous areas, such as in or around oil houses, explosives magazines, 
etc. The Mine Act and the standard further require that the mine 
operator submit the program plan to MSHA for approval. The purpose of 
the program is to insure that a fire or explosion hazard does not 
occur.
    MSHA's investigation determined that the most likely source of 
ignition for several fatal explosions in the past was the open flame of 
a cigarette lighter or match.

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 choosing 
``Rules and Regs'', then choosing ``Fed Reg Docs.''

III. Current Actions

    The mine operator uses the information to conduct the program. MSHA 
uses the information to determine the mine operator's compliance with 
the standard and that a program is developed and implemented to prevent 
smoking in hazardous areas.
    Type of Review: Extension.
    Agency: Mine Safety and Health Administration.
    Title: Program to Prevent Smoking in Hazardous Areas.
    OMB Number: 1219-0041.
    Frequency: On Occasion.
    Affected Public: Business or other for-profit.
    Respondents: 492.
    Responses: 101.
    Estimated Time Per Respondent: .5 hours.
    Total Burden Hours: 50.5 hours.
    Total Burden Cost (operating/maintaining): $0.
    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 4th day of April, 2007.
David L. Meyer,
Director, Office of Administration and Management.
 [FR Doc. E7-6605 Filed 4-6-07; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4510-43-P