[Federal Register Volume 77, Number 57 (Friday, March 23, 2012)]
[Notices]
[Pages 17098-17099]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2012-6988]


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DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Mine Safety and Health Administration


Proposed Extension of Existing Information Collection; 
Independent Contractor Registration and Identification

AGENCY: Mine Safety and Health Administration, Labor.

ACTION: 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 and 
state agencies with an opportunity to comment on proposed and 
continuing collections of information in accordance with the Paperwork 
Reduction Act of 1995. This program helps ensure that requested data 
can be provided in the desired format, that reporting (time and 
financial resources) is minimal, that collection instruments are 
clearly understood, and that the impact of collection requirements can 
be properly assessed.
    The Mine Safety and Health Administration is soliciting comments 
concerning the proposed extension of an existing information 
collection, OMB Control Number 1219-00040, Independent Contractor 
Register. OMB last approved this information collection request (ICR) 
on March 10, 2009.

DATES: Submit comments on or before May 22, 2012.

ADDRESSES: Comments must be identified with ``OMB Control Number 1219-
0040'' and sent to both the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) and 
MSHA. Comments to MSHA may be sent by any of the methods listed below.
     Federal E-Rulemaking Portal: http://www.regulations.gov. 
Follow the on-line instructions for submitting comments.
     Facsimile: 202-693-9441, include ``OMB 1219-0040'' in the 
subject line of the message.
     Regular Mail or Hand Delivery: MSHA, Office of Standards, 
Regulations, and Variances, 1100

[[Page 17099]]

Wilson Boulevard Room 2350, Arlington, VA 22209-3939. For hand 
delivery, sign in at the receptionist's desk on the 21st floor.
    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.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Greg Moxness, Chief, Economic Analysis 
Division, Office of Standards, Regulations, and Variances, MSHA, at 
[email protected] (email); 202-693-9440 (voice); or 202-693-9441 
(facsimile).

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Background

    Independent contractors (contractors) perform services or 
construction at a mine. They may be engaged in virtually every type of 
work performed at a mine, including activities such as clearing land, 
excavating ore, processing minerals, maintaining, or repairing 
equipment, or constructing new buildings or new facilities, such as 
shafts, hoists, conveyors, or kilns. Independent contractors vary in 
size, the type of work performed, and the time spent working at mine 
sites. Some contractors work exclusively at mining operations, others 
may work a single contract at a mine and never return to MSHA 
jurisdiction.
    The work contractors perform can pose serious dangers to employees. 
From January 1, 2001 through June 30, 2011, 623 miners have been 
fatally injured in mining accidents; 143 of those (or about 23%) worked 
for independent contractors. MSHA uses the contractor information 
during inspections to determine the responsibility for compliance with 
safety and health standards and to facilitate the service of documents.

II. Desired Focus of Comments

    The Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) is soliciting 
comments concerning the proposed extension of the information 
collection related to independent contractors. 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;
     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.
    The public may examine publicly available documents, including the 
public comment version of the supporting statement, at MSHA, Office of 
Standards, Regulations, and Variances, 1100 Wilson Boulevard, Room 
2350, Arlington, VA 22209-3939. OMB clearance requests are available on 
MSHA's Web site at http://www.msha.gov under ``Rules & Regs'' on the 
right side of the screen by selecting Information Collections Requests, 
Paperwork Reduction Act Supporting Statements. The public comment 
version of the supporting statement will be available on MSHA's Web 
site for 60 days after the publication date of this notice. Comments 
submitted in writing or in electronic form will be made available for 
public inspection. Because comments will not be edited to remove any 
identifying or contact information, MSHA cautions the commenter against 
including any information in the submission that should not be publicly 
disclosed. Questions about the information collection requirements may 
be directed to the person listed in the FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT 
section of this notice.

III. Current Actions

    The information obtained from mine operators is used by MSHA during 
inspections to determine compliance with safety and health standards. 
MSHA has updated the data in respect to the number of respondents and 
responses, as well as the total burden hours and burden costs 
supporting this information collection extension request. 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: 1219-0040.
    Affected Public: Business or other for-profit.
    Cite/Reference/Form/etc: 30 CFR Part 45/MSHA Form 7000-52.
    Total Number of Respondents: 15,609.
    Frequency: Various.
    Total Number of Responses: 100,651.
    Estimated Total Burden Hours: 8,188 hours.
    Estimated Total Burden Cost: $545.
    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.

    Authority:  44 U.S.C. 3506(c)(2)(A).

Patricia W. Silvey,
Certifying Officer.
[FR Doc. 2012-6988 Filed 3-22-12; 8:45 am]
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