[Federal Register Volume 75, Number 179 (Thursday, September 16, 2010)]
[Notices]
[Pages 56562-56563]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2010-23082]


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DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Mine Safety and Health Administration


Proposed Information Collection Request Submitted for Public 
Comment and Recommendations; Ventilation Plan and Main Fan Maintenance 
Record 30 CFR 57.8520, Sec.  57.8525 (Pertains to Metal and Nonmetal 
Underground Mines)

ACTION: Notice.

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[[Page 56563]]

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 [44 U.S.C. 3506(c)(2)(A)]. This program helps to assure 
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 for Ventilation 
Plan and Main Fan Maintenance Record 30 CFR 57.8520, Sec.  57.8525.

DATES: All comments must be received by midnight Eastern Daylight 
Saving Time on November 15, 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

    Section 103(h) of the Federal Mine Safety and Health Act of 1977 
(Mine Act), 30 U.S.C. 813, authorizes the Mine Safety and Health 
Administration (MSHA) to collect information necessary to carry out its 
duty in protecting the safety and health of miners.
    Underground mines usually present harsh and hostile working 
environments. The ventilation system is the most vital life support 
system in underground mining and a properly operating ventilation 
system is essential for maintaining a safe and healthful working 
environment. A well planned mine ventilation system is necessary to 
assure a fresh air supply to miners at all working places, to control 
the amounts of harmful airborne contaminants in the mine atmosphere, 
and to dilute possible accumulation of explosive gases.
    Lack of adequate ventilation in underground mines has resulted in 
fatalities from asphyxiation and/or explosions due to a buildup of 
explosive gases. Inadequate ventilation can be a primary factor for 
deaths caused by disease of the lungs (e.g. silicosis).
    In addition, poor working conditions from lack of adequate 
ventilation contribute to accidents resulting from heat stress, limited 
visibility, or impaired judgment from exposure to contaminants.
     The mine operator is required to prepare a written plan of 
the mine ventilation system. The plan is required to be updated at 
least annually. Upon written request of the District Manager, the plan 
or revisions must be submitted to MSHA for review and comment.
     The main ventilation fans for an underground mine must be 
maintained either according to manufacturers' recommendations or a 
written periodic schedule. Upon request of an Authorized Representative 
of the Secretary of Labor, this fan maintenance schedule must be made 
available for review. The records assure compliance with the standard 
and may serve as a warning mechanism for possible ventilation problems 
before they occur.

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 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 & 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

    This request for collection of information contains notification 
and recordkeeping provisions for the Proposed Information Collection 
Request Submitted for Public Comment and Recommendations; Ventilation 
Plan and Main Fan Maintenance Record 30 CFR 57.8520, Sec.  57.8525. 
MSHA does not intend to publish the results from this information 
collection and is not seeking approval to either display or not display 
the expiration date for the OMB approval of this information 
collection.
    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: 1219-0016.
    Frequency: On Occasion.
    Affected Public: Business or other for-profit.
    Cost to Federal Government: $6,450.
    Total Burden Respondents: 245.
    Total Number of Responses: 272.
    Total Burden Hours: 5,894.
    Total Hour Burden Cost (Operating/maintaining): $382,302.
    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.

Patricia W. Silvey,
Director, Office of Standards, Regulations, and Variances.
[FR Doc. 2010-23082 Filed 9-15-10; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4510-43-P