[Federal Register Volume 76, Number 12 (Wednesday, January 19, 2011)]
[Notices]
[Page 3175]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2011-952]



[[Page 3175]]

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DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Mine Safety and Health Administration

[OMB Control No. 1219-0049]


Proposed Extension of Existing Information Collection; Hoist 
Operators' Physical Fitness

AGENCY: Mine Safety and Health Administration, Labor.

ACTION: Notice of request for public comments.

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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 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 30 CFR 56.19057 and 57.19057 on hoist 
operators' physical fitness.

DATES: All comments must be received by midnight Eastern Standard Time 
on March 21, 2011.

ADDRESSES: Comments must be identified clearly 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 Boulevard, Room 2350, Arlington, VA 22209-3939.
    (4) Hand Delivery or Courier: MSHA, Office of Standards, 
Regulations, and Variances, 1100 Wilson Boulevard, 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

    Title 30 CFR 56.19057 and 57.19057 require the annual examination 
and certification of hoist operators' fitness by a qualified, licensed 
physician. The safety of all metal and nonmetal miners riding hoist 
conveyances is largely dependent on the attentiveness and physical 
capabilities of the hoist operator. Improper movements, overspeed, and 
overtravel of a hoisting conveyance can result in serious physical harm 
or death to all passengers. While operators of small mines are likely 
to have fewer hoists and hoist operators, Congress intended that the 
Federal Mine Safety and Health Act of 1977 (Mine Act) be enforced at 
all mining operations within its jurisdiction regardless of size and 
that information collection and record keeping requirements be 
consistent with efficient and effective enforcement of the Mine Act. 
Congress did recognize, however, that small operations may face 
problems in complying with some provisions of the Mine Act. Section 
103(e) of the Mine Act directs the Secretary of Labor not to impose an 
unreasonable burden on small businesses when obtaining any information 
under the Mine Act. This information collection does not have a 
significant impact on a substantial number of small entities.

II. Desired Focus of Comments

    MSHA is particularly interested in comments that:
     Evaluate whether the collection of information is 
necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the agency, 
including whether the information has practical utility;
     Evaluate the accuracy of the agency's estimate of the 
burden of the 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 information collection request can be obtained by 
contacting the person 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 notice contains the request for an extension of the existing 
collection of information in 30 CFR 56.19057 and 57.19057--Hoist 
Operators' Physical Fitness. 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: 1219-0049.
    Frequency: Annually.
    Affected Public: Business or other for-profit.
    Cost to Federal Government: none.
    Total Burden Respondents: 70.
    Total Number of Responses: 350.
    Total Burden Hours: 12 hours.
    Total Hour Burden Cost (operating/maintaining): $157,793.
    Comments submitted in response to this notice will be summarized 
and 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: January 12, 2011.
Patricia W. Silvey,
Certifying Officer.
[FR Doc. 2011-952 Filed 1-18-11; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4510-43-P