[Federal Register Volume 72, Number 126 (Monday, July 2, 2007)]
[Notices]
[Pages 36063-36064]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E7-12671]


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DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Mine Safety and Health Administration


Proposed Information Collection Request; Submitted for Public 
Comment and Recommendations; Qualification/Certification Program 
Request for MSHA; Individual Identification Number (MIIN)

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 preclearance 
consultation program to provide the general public and Federal agencies 
with an opportunity to comment on proposed and/or containing 
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.

DATES: Submit comments on or before August 31, 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 e-mail to [email protected]. Ms. Ferraro can be reached at 
(202) 693-9821 (voice), or (202) 693-9801 (facsimile).

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

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Background

    MSHA currently uses qualification and certification information on 
miners who have satisfactorily completed required training and 
examinations to issue cards indicating the licensure of that miner. 
MSHA inspectors, during inspections, review these cards to determine 
compliance with regulations. In addition, miners, when applying for a 
job, use these cards as a part of their resumes. Mine operators needing 
people with specific certifications, qualifications and approvals hire 
and assign work relying on the information provided on the cards.
    The information is also used to determine mine operators' 
compliance with approved training plans and to monitor safety-training 
programs and during investigations including accident and legal 
proceedings to revoke the qualifications/certifications and approvals 
of individuals based on a fraudulent reporting of training or 
performance. Upon request, MSHA furnishes information on specific 
miners to mine operators and representatives of miners.
    The information also is used to verify whether individuals who 
complete and sign dust data cards that accompany dust samples collected 
fulfill the sampling requirements of 30 CFR part 70, 71 or 90. It also 
enables the Agency to track underground miners who show early evidence 
of the development of pneumoconiosis and have exercised their option to 
work in a low dust environment under 30 CFR part 90 to determine if 
they have been adequately sampled by mine operators and are in 
compliance with federal dust standards.

II. Desired Focus of Comments

    Currently, the Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) is 
soliciting comments concerning the proposed extension of the 
information collection requirement related to conversion of Social 
Security Numbers to MSHA Individual Identification Numbers. MSHA is 
particularly interested in comments that:
    * Evaluate whether the proposed collection of information is 
necessary for the proper performance of MSHA's functions, including 
whether the information has practical utility;
    * Evaluate the accuracy of MSHA's estimate of the burden of the 
proposed collection of information, including the validity of the 
methodology and assumptions used;
    * Suggest methods to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of 
the information to be collected; and
    * Address 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)to minimize the burden of the collection of information on 
those who are to respond.
    A copy of the proposed information collection request can be 
obtained by contacting the employee listed in the ADDRESSES section of 
this notice or viewed on the internet by accessing the MSHA home page 
(http://www.msha.gov./) and selecting ``Rules and Regs'', then 
selecting ``Fed Reg Docs.''

III. Current Actions

    The Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) issues 
certifications, qualifications and approvals (licenses) to the nation's 
miners to conduct specific work within the mines. Currently, Social 
Security Numbers (SSNs) are utilized for tracking purposes within 
MSHA's data processing systems, in the absence of other reliable 
identification systems. In an effort to reduce use of SSNs both by MSHA 
and third parties, MSHA is changing the process to one in which miners 
requiring a license or benefit from MSHA will register for an ``MSHA 
Individual Identification Number'' (MIIN). This unique number will be 
used in place of individual SSNs for all licensing requirements within 
MSHA. This new process will allow MSHA to discontinue the past practice 
of individuals supplying their personally identifiable information to 
instructors, states or other entities, which in turn supply that 
information to MSHA. Miners needing a license or benefit from MSHA will 
need to register only one time to obtain their MIINs from MSHA.
    Type of Review: New Collection.
    Agency: Mine Safety and Health Administration.
    Title: Qualification/Certification Program Request for MSHA 
Individual Identification Number (MIIN).
    OMB Number: 1219-0NEW.
    Recordkeeping: 3 years.
    Frequency: On Occasion.
    Affected Public: Business or other for profit.
    Total Respondents: 40,000 first year; 10,000 thereafter.
    Total Responses: 40,000 first year; 10,000 thereafter.
    Estimated Total Burden Hours: 3,332 first year; 2,083 second year; 
833 thereafter.
    Total Burden Cost (capital/startup): $10,881 first year.
    Total Burden Cost (operating/ maintaining): $7,293 second year; 
$2,900 thereafter.
    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.


[[Page 36064]]


    Dated at Arlington, Virginia, this 26th day of June, 2007.
David L. Meyer,
Director, Office of Administration and Management.
[FR Doc. E7-12671 Filed 6-29-07; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4510-43-P