[Federal Register Volume 74, Number 40 (Tuesday, March 3, 2009)]
[Notices]
[Pages 9292-9293]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E9-4417]


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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 Roof Bolts in Metal 
and Nonmetal Mines and Underground Coal Mines

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 30 CFR Sections 56.3203(a), 57.3203(a), and 
75.204(a); Safety Standards for Roof Bolts in Metal and Nonmetal Mines 
and Underground Coal Mines.

DATES: Submit comments on or before May 4, 2009.

ADDRESSES: Send comments to Debbie Ferraro, Management Services 
Division, 1100 Wilson Boulevard, Room 2141, 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

    30 CFR 56/57.3203 and 75.204 address the quality of rock fixtures 
and their installation. Roof and rock bolts and accessories are an 
integral part of ground control systems and are used to prevent the 
fall of roof, face, and ribs. These standards require that metal and 
nonmetal and coal mine operators obtain a certification from the 
manufacturer that rock bolts and accessories are manufactured and 
tested in accordance with the 1995 American

[[Page 9293]]

Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) publication ``Standard 
Specification for Roof and Rock Bolts and Accessories'' (ASTM F432-95).

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 ADDRESSES section of 
this notice, or viewed on the internet by accessing the MSHA home page 
(http://www.msha.gov/) and selecting ``Rules & Regs'', and then 
selecting ``FedReg. Docs''. On the next screen, select ``Paperwork 
Reduction Act Supporting Statement'' to view documents supporting the 
Federal Register Notice.

III. Current Actions

    MSHA is seeking to continue the requirement for mine operators to 
obtain certification from the manufacturer that roof and rock bolts and 
accessories are manufactured and tested in accordance with the 
applicable American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) 
specifications and make that certification available to an authorized 
representative of the Secretary.
    Type of Review: Extension.
    Agency: Mine Safety and Health Administration.
    Title: Safety Standards for Roof Bolts in Metal and Nonmetal Mines 
and Underground Coal Mines.
    OMB Number: 1219-0121.
    Frequency: On occasion.
    Affected Public: Business or other for-profit.
    Respondents: 833.
    Responses: 3,292.
    Total Burden Hours: 165 hours.
    Total Burden Cost (capital/startup): $0.
    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 25th day of February, 2009.
John Rowlett.
Director, Management Services Division.
 [FR Doc. E9-4417 Filed 3-2-09; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4510-43-P