[Federal Register Volume 74, Number 127 (Monday, July 6, 2009)]
[Notices]
[Pages 31977-31978]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E9-15792]


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DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Mine Safety and Health Administration


Proposed Information Collection Request Submitted for Public 
Comment and Recommendations; Fire Protection (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 75.1100-3, 75.1103-8, 
75.1103-11, 75.1501(a)(3), 75.1502; Fire Protection (Underground Coal 
Mines) and Mine Emergency Evacuation.

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

ADDRESSES: Send comments to U.S. Department of Labor, Mine Safety and 
Health Administration, John Rowlett, Director, Management Services 
Division, 1100 Wilson Boulevard, Room 2134, Arlington, VA 22209-3939. 
Commenters are encouraged to send their comments on a computer disk, or 
via Internet E-mail to [email protected], along with an original 
printed copy. Mr. Rowlett can be reached at (202) 693-9827 (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

    Under 30 CFR 75.1100-3, chemical fire extinguishers must be 
examined every 6 months and the date of the examination recorded on a 
permanent tag attached to the extinguisher. Under Sec.  75.1103-8, a 
qualified person must examine the automatic fire sensor and warning 
device systems on a weekly basis, and must conduct a functional test of 
the complete system at least once a year. Under Sec.  75.1103-11, each 
fire hydrant and hose must be tested at least once a year, and the 
records of those tests shall be kept in an appropriate location. Under 
Sec.  75.1501(a)(3), the operator must certify that each responsible 
person is trained and that the certification is maintained at the mine 
for at least one year. Under Sec.  75.1502, the program of instruction 
requires revisions to existing fire-fighting and evacuation plans to 
address emergencies, and requires training of miners regarding the mine 
emergency evacuation fire-fighting plan for all emergencies created as 
a result of a fire, an explosion, or a gas or water inundation.

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 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

    30 CFR 75.1100-3, 75.1103-8, 75.1103-11, 75.1501(a)(3) and 75.1502 
requires chemical fire extinguishers to be examined every 6 months; 
requires operators to establish a program for the instruction of all 
miners in the proper fire fighting and evacuation procedures in the 
event of an emergency; requires operators to conduct fire drills; 
requires a qualified person to examine the automatic fire sensor and 
warning device systems; and requires that each fire hydrant and hose be 
tested; requires the mine operator to train all miners about the 
requirements of this section and the identity of the responsible 
person(s) designated by the operator for the work-shift. The operator 
also is required to instruct miners of any change in the identity of 
the responsible person before the start of their work-shift and any 
change during the shift; includes all mine emergencies created as a 
result of a fire, an explosion, or a gas or water inundation in the 
program of instruction. This section required revisions to existing 
fire-fighting and evacuation plans to address these emergencies, 
required training of miners regarding the mine emergency evacuation 
fire-fighting plan, and requires that mine operators train miners in 
any revisions to the plan after its submission to MSHA for approval.
    Type of Review: Extension.
    Agency: Mine Safety and Health Administration.
    Title: Fire Protection (Underground Coal Mines).
    OMB Number: 1219-0054.
    Frequency: On Occasion.
    Affected Public: Business or other for-profit.
    Respondents: 622.
    Responses: 339,768.
    Total Burden Hours: 75,729 hours.
    Total Burden Cost (operating/maintaining): $1,344.

[[Page 31978]]

    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 29th day of June 2009.
John Rowlett,
Director, Management Services Division.
[FR Doc. E9-15792 Filed 7-2-09; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4510-43-P