[Federal Register Volume 74, Number 29 (Friday, February 13, 2009)]
[Notices]
[Page 7265]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E9-3065]



[[Page 7265]]

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DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Office of the Secretary


Submission for OMB Review: Comment Request

February 9, 2009.
    The Department of Labor (DOL) hereby announces the submission of 
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; including among other things a description of the likely 
respondents, proposed frequency of response, and estimated total burden 
may be obtained from the RegInfo.gov Web site at http://www.reginfo.gov/public/do/PRAMain or by contacting Darrin King on 202-
693-4129 (this is not a toll-free number)/e-mail: [email protected].
    Interested parties are encouraged to send comments to the Office of 
Information and Regulatory Affairs, Attn: OMB Desk Officer for the Mine 
Safety and Health Administration (MSHA), Office of Management and 
Budget, 725 17th Street, NW., Room 10235, Washington, DC 20503, 
Telephone: 202-395-4816/Fax: 202-395-6974 (these are not toll-free 
numbers), e-mail: [email protected] within 30 days from the 
date of this publication in the Federal Register. In order to ensure 
the appropriate consideration, comments should reference the applicable 
OMB Control Number (see below).
    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 of Collection: Record of Mine Closures, Opening and Reopening 
of Mines.
    OMB Control Number: 1219-0073.
    Form Number: None.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 1,453.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 14,572.
    Estimated Total Annual Cost Burden: $18,221,257.
    Affected Public: Business or other for profits (underground and 
surface coal mines).
    Description: The Department's regulations at 30 CFR 75.372, 75.373, 
75.1200, 75.1200-1, 75.1201, 75.1202, 75.1202-1, 75.1203, 75.1204, 
75.1204-1, 75.1721, 77.1200, 77.1201, 77.1202 contain requirements 
regarding the preparation and maintenance of accurate and up-to-date 
mine maps as well as requirements with respect to reporting to MSHA the 
opening or closing of mines. The information is used by operators of 
coal mines for effective and safe mine planning and when approaching 
abandoned underground mines or the mined-out and inaccessible areas of 
an active underground or surface mine. The abandoned mine or 
inaccessible areas of an active mine could be flooded with water or 
contain explosive amounts of methane or harmful gases. If the operator 
were to mine into such an area, unaware of the hazards, miners could be 
killed or seriously injured. The requirements to provide MSHA with 
certified underground mine maps annually, access for inspection of 
surface mine maps and the filing of mine closure maps provide essential 
information for MSHA to plan and conduct mandatory inspections and 
review and approve mandatory mine plans and permits. The required 
notifications prior to opening new mines and reopening abandoned mines 
provide information for the same purpose. Accurate and up-to-date mine 
maps are essential to the engineering plans and safe operation of mines 
and to the health and safety of the miners, including in mine rescue 
and/or firefighting situations. In addition, the mine closure maps also 
provide information essential to protecting public safety in the future 
land uses of the abandoned mine sites. For additional information, see 
related notice published at Vol. 73 FR 64985 on October 31, 2008.
    Agency: Mine Safety and Health Administration.
    Type of Review: Extension without change of currently approved 
collection.
    Title of Collection: Approval, Exhaust Gas Monitoring, and Safety 
Requirements for the Use of Diesel-Powered Equipment in Underground 
Coal Mines.
    OMB Control Number: 1219-0119.
    Form Number: None.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 213.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 42,825.
    Estimated Total Annual Cost Burden: $428,272.
    Affected Public: Business or other for profits (underground coal 
mines).
    Description: The information collection requirements contained in 
the Department's standards at 30 CFR Part 75, Safety Requirements for 
the Use of Diesel-Powered Equipment in Underground Coal Mines, serve to 
protect miners' health. The records are required to document that 
essential testing and maintenance of the equipment is done regularly 
and by qualified persons. The recordkeeping requirements are necessary 
not only to assist MSHA in determining compliance, but also to provide 
useful information to mine operators and miners' representatives about 
the performance of diesel engines and any deterioration or defective 
condition needing corrective action. For additional information, see 
related notice published at Vol. 73 FR 64986 on October 31, 2008.

Darrin A. King,
Departmental Clearance Officer.
 [FR Doc. E9-3065 Filed 2-12-09; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4510-43-P