[Federal Register Volume 76, Number 182 (Tuesday, September 20, 2011)]
[Notices]
[Pages 58301-58303]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2011-24095]


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DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Mine Safety and Health Administration


Proposed Extension of Existing Information Collection; Automatic 
Fire Sensor and Warning Device Systems; Examination and Test 
Requirements

ACTION: Notice of request for public comments.

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SUMMARY: The Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) is soliciting 
comments concerning the proposed extension of an existing information 
collection, OMB Control Number 1219-0145. This information collection 
was originally titled Safety Standards Regarding Technical Study Panel

[[Page 58302]]

Recommendations on the Utilization of Belt Air and the Composition and 
Fire Retardant Properties of Belt Materials in Underground Coal Mining. 
OMB 1219-0145 has been renamed Automatic Fire Sensor and Warning Device 
Systems; Examination and Test Requirements to reflect that the 
information collection is only for extending the approval of the 
information collection related to 30 CFR Sec. Sec.  75.1103-8(b) and 
(c). MSHA expects to subsume these provisions into OMB 1219-0054, Fire 
Protection (Underground Coal Mines) when that package is renewed in 
January 2013. No provisions will then remain in OMB 1219-0145 and the 
package will be discontinued.
    Other provisions of the original OMB 1219-0145 package have been 
subsumed into existing information collection packages as follows:
     OMB 1219-0009 subsumed Sec.  48.27(a) Training of miners 
assigned to a task in July 2011;
     OMB 1219-0073 subsumed Sec.  75.1103-5(a)(2)(ii) Automatic 
fire sensor and warning device systems and the package is at OMB for 
its 3-year review;
     OMB 1219-0088 subsumed Sec. Sec.  75.350(a)(2), 75.350(b), 
75.350(b)(7), 75.350(b)(8), 75.350(d)(1), and 75.350(e)(1)(v) Belt air 
course ventilation; Sec.  75.351(e)(1)(v) Atmospheric monitoring 
systems (AMS); Sec. Sec.  75.370(a)(3) and (f) Mine ventilation plan 
submission and approval; Sec. Sec.  75.371(jj), 75.371(mm), 75.371(nn), 
and 75.371(yy) Mine ventilation plan contents; Sec.  75.380(f)(1) 
Escapeways; bituminous and lignite mines; Sec.  75.381(e) Escapeways; 
anthracite mines; and Sec.  75.1103-5(a) Automatic fire warning 
devices; actions, response in October 2010;
     OMB 1219-0127 subsumed Sec.  75.156 AMS operator, 
qualifications and the package is at OMB for its 3-year review.
    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 and state agencies 
with an opportunity to comment on proposed 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 ensure that requested information collections 
are in formats appropriate to the mining community, that reporting is 
minimal, collection instruments are clearly understood, and that the 
impact of collection requirements can be properly assessed.

DATES:  All comments must be received or postmarked by midnight Eastern 
Standard Time November 21, 2011.

ADDRESSES: Comments must be identified with ``OMB Control Number 1219-
00145'' and may be sent to MSHA by any of the following methods:
     Federal E-Rulemaking Portal: http://www.regulations.gov. 
Follow the on-line instructions for submitting comments.
     Facsimile: 202-693-9441. Include ``OMB 1219-00145'' in the 
subject line of the message.
     Regular Mail: MSHA, Office of Standards, Regulations, and 
Variances, 1100 Wilson Boulevard, Room 2350, Arlington, Virginia 22209-
3939.
     Hand Delivery or Courier: MSHA, Office of Standards, 
Regulations, and Variances, 1100 Wilson Boulevard, Room 2350, 
Arlington, Virginia. Sign in at the receptionist's desk on the 21st 
floor.
    Information Collection Requirements:
    Comments concerning the information collection requirements of this 
proposed rule must be clearly identified with ``OMB 1219-00145'' and 
sent to both the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) and MSHA.
     Comments to OMB may be sent by mail addressed to the 
Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs, Office of Management and 
Budget, New Executive Office Building, 725 17th Street, NW., 
Washington, DC 20503, Attn: Desk Officer for MSHA.
     Comments to MSHA may be sent by any of the methods listed 
above for comments on the public comment version of this information 
collection package.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Roslyn B. Fontaine, Acting Director, 
Office of Standards, Regulations, and Variances, MSHA, at 
[email protected] (e-mail); 202-693-9440 (voice); or 202-693-9441 
(facsimile).

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

I. Background

    The requirements related to OMB 1219-0145 are intended to help 
protect miners by assuring that MSHA inspectors can verify that 
automatic fire sensor and warning device systems are maintained and 
calibrated and will function properly when needed. Technical advances 
have made it practicable to automatically detect fires in mines and to 
warn miners, helping prevent deaths when a fire occurs. MSHA requires 
mine operators to ensure these protective sensors and devices operate 
as designed and contribute to improved miner safety.

II. Desired Focus of Comments

    The Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) is soliciting 
comments concerning the proposed extension of information collection 
related to automatic sensing systems and warning devices. MSHA is 
particularly interested in comments that:
     Evaluate whether the proposed collection of information is 
necessary for the proper performance of MSHA's functions, including 
whether the information has practical utility;
     Evaluate the accuracy of MSHA's estimate of the burden of 
the proposed collection of information, including the validity of the 
methodology and assumptions used;
     Suggest methods to enhance the quality, utility, and 
clarity of the information to be collected; and
     Address 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) to minimize the burden of the collection of information on 
those who are to respond.
    A copy of the proposed information collection request can be 
obtained by contacting the employee listed in the ADDRESSES section of 
this notice or viewed on the internet by accessing the MSHA home page 
(http://www.msha.gov/) and selecting ``Rules and Regs'', and then 
selecting ``Fed Reg Docs.''

III. Current Actions

    The information obtained from mine operators is used by MSHA during 
inspections to determine proper responsibility for compliance with 
safety and health standards.
    Type of Review: Extension.
    Agency: Mine Safety and Health Administration.
    Title: Automatic Fire Sensor and Warning Device Systems; 
Examination and Test Requirements.
    OMB Number: 1219-0145.
    Affected Public: Business or other for-profit.
    Cite/Reference/Form/etc: 30 CFR part 75.
    Total Respondents: 890.
    Frequency: Weekly.
    Total Responses: 8,896.
    Estimated Total Burden Hours: 1,818 hours.
    Estimated Total Burden Cost: $154,785.
    Comments submitted in response to this notice will be summarized 
and/or included in the request for Office of

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Management and Budget approval of the information collection request; 
they will also become a matter of public record.

    Dated: September 15, 2011.
Patricia W. Silvey,
Certifying Officer.
[FR Doc. 2011-24095 Filed 9-19-11; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4510-43-P