[Federal Register Volume 75, Number 179 (Thursday, September 16, 2010)]
[Notices]
[Page 56562]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2010-23083]


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DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Mine Safety and Health Administration


Proposed Information Collection Request Submitted for Public 
Comment and Recommendations; Slope and Shaft Sinking Plans, 30 CFR 
77.1900 (Pertains to Surface Work Areas of 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 [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 Slope and 
Shaft Sinking Plans, 30 CFR 77.1900.

DATES: All comments must be received by midnight Eastern Daylight 
Savings 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 MSHA to collect information 
necessary to carry out its duty in protecting the safety and health of 
miners.
    Underground coal mine operators are required to submit for approval 
a plan that will provide the safety of workmen in each slope or shaft 
that is commenced or extended from the surface to the underground coal 
mine. Each slope or shaft sinking operation is unique in that each 
operator uses different methods and equipment and encounters different 
geological strata which make it impossible for a single set of 
regulations to assure the safety of the miners under all circumstances. 
This makes an individual slope or shaft sinking plan necessary.

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 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; Safety 
Defects; Examination, Correction and Records, Slope and Shaft Sinking 
Plans, 30 CFR 77.1900. 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: 1219-0019.
    Frequency: On Occasion.
    Affected Public: Business or other for-profit.
    Cost to Federal Government: $41,993.
    Total Burden Respondents: 73.
    Total Number of Responses: 73.
    Total Burden Hours: 1,460.
    Total Hour Burden Cost (operating/maintaining): $123,662.
    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. 2010-23083 Filed 9-15-10; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4510-43-P