[Federal Register Volume 75, Number 121 (Thursday, June 24, 2010)]
[Notices]
[Pages 36121-36122]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2010-15270]



[[Page 36121]]

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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 Underground Coal Mine 
Ventilation--Belt Entry Used as an Intake Air Course To Ventilate 
Working Sections and Areas Where Mechanized Mining Equipment Is Being 
Installed or Removed

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 75.350, 75.351, 75.352, 75.371.

DATES: All comments must be received by midnight Eastern Daylight 
Savings Time on August 23, 2010.

ADDRESSES: Comments must clearly be identified with the rule title and 
may be submitted to MSHA by any of the following methods:
    (1) Electronic mail: [email protected].
    (2) Facsimile: (202) 693-9441.
    (3) Regular Mail: MSHA, Office of Standards, Regulations, and 
Variances, 1100 Wilson Blvd., Room 2350, Arlington, VA 22209-3939.
    (4) Hand Delivery or Courier: MSHA, Office of Standards, 
Regulations, and Variances, 1100 Wilson Blvd., Room 2350, Arlington, VA 
22209-3939. Sign in at the receptionist's desk on the 21st floor.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mario Distasio, Chief of the Economic 
Analysis Division, Office of Standards, Regulations, and Variances, 
MSHA, at [email protected] (e-mail), 202-693-9445 (voicemail), 
202-693-9441 (facsimile).

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Background

    The Safety Standards for Underground Coal Mine Ventilation Belt 
Entry rule provides safety requirements for the use of the conveyor 
belt entry as a ventilation intake to course fresh air to working 
sections and areas where mechanized mining equipment is being installed 
or removed in mines with three or more entries. This rule establishes 
additional protective provisions that mine operators must follow if 
they want to use belt air to ventilate working sections.
     75.351(b)(3) requires posting at the surface location of 
an up-to-date map or schematic showing air flow directions and the 
location and type of all Atmospheric Monitoring System (AMS) sensors.
     75.351(n)(1) requires that sensors used to detect CO or 
smoke be visually examined at least once each shift, when belts are 
operated as part of a production shift. If hazardous conditions are 
found during the visual exam, then a log of such conditions must be 
filed under existing section 75.363(b)--Hazardous conditions; posting, 
correcting and recording (OMB approval 1219-0088).
     75.351(n)(2) and 75.351(n)(3) require that alarms for AMS 
be tested every seven days and that CO, smoke, or methane sensors be 
calibrated, every 31 days respectively.
     75.351(o)(1)(i) requires that a record be made if the AMS 
emits an alert or alarm signal.
     75.351(o)(1)(ii) requires that, if a malfunction in the 
system occurs, a record be made of the malfunction and the corrective 
action to return the system to proper operating condition.
     75.351(o)(1)(iii) requires that the persons doing the 
weekly test of alert and alarm signals, the monthly calibration, or 
maintenance of the system make a record of these tests, calibrations, 
or maintenance.
     75.351(o)(3) requires that all records concerning the AMS 
be kept in a book or electronically in a computer system that is secure 
and not susceptible to alteration.
     75.351(p) requires the mine operator to keep these records 
for at least one year at a surface location and to make them available 
for inspection by authorized representatives of the Secretary and 
representatives of miners.
     75.351(q) requires that a record of the annual AMS 
operator training be kept. The record will include the content of 
training, the person conducting the training, and the date the training 
is conducted.
     75.352(a) and 75.352(b) require the designated AMS 
operator or other appropriate personnel to take actions promptly when 
malfunction, alert, or alarm signals are received.

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 selecting ``Rules & Reg'', 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

    This request for collection of information contains recordkeeping 
provisions for 30 CFR 75.350, 75.351, 75.352, 75.371 Safety Standards 
for Underground Coal Mine Ventilation--Belt Entry Used as an Intake Air 
Course To Ventilate Working Sections and Areas Where Mechanized Mining 
Equipment Is Being Installed or Removed. MSHA does not intend to 
publish the results of this information collection and is not seeking 
approval to not display the expiration date or OMB approval number for 
this collection of information.
    There are no certification exceptions identified with this 
information collection and the collection of this information does not 
employ statistical methods.
    Type of Review: Extension.
    Agency: Mine Safety and Health Administration.
    OMB Number: 1219-0138.

[[Page 36122]]

    Frequency: On Occasion.
    Affected Public: Business or other for-profit.
    Cost to Federal Government: No cost to Federal Government.
    Total Burden Respondents: 21.
    Total Number of Responses: 251.
    Total Burden Hours: 4,255.
    Total Hour Burden Cost (operating/maintaining): $303,512.
    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: June 18, 2010.
Patricia W. Silvey,
Director, Office of Standards, and Regulations, and Variances.
[FR Doc. 2010-15270 Filed 6-23-10; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4510-43-P