[Federal Register Volume 77, Number 57 (Friday, March 23, 2012)]
[Notices]
[Pages 17099-17100]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2012-6989]


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DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Mine Safety and Health Administration


Proposed Extension of Existing Information Collection; Diesel-
Powered Equipment for Underground Coal Mines

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 agencies 
with an opportunity to comment on proposed and/or continuing 
collections of information in accordance with the Paperwork Reduction 
Act of 1995. 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.
    The Mine Safety and Health Administration is soliciting comments 
concerning the proposed extension of an existing information 
collection, OMB Control Number 1219-0119, Diesel-Powered Equipment in 
Underground Coal Mines. OMB last approved this information collection 
request (ICR) on March 31, 2009.

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

ADDRESSES: Comments must be identified with ``OMB Control Number 1219-
0119'' and sent to both the Office

[[Page 17100]]

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 1219-0119'' in the 
subject line of the message.
     Regular Mail or Hand Delivery: MSHA, Office of Standards, 
Regulations, and Variances, 1100 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

    The Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) requires mine 
operators to provide important safety protections to underground coal 
miners who work in mines that use diesel-powered equipment. Diesel 
equipment can pose a fire and explosion hazard in the confined 
environment of an underground coal mine where combustible coal dust and 
explosive methane gas are present.
    This information collection request (ICR) was last approved on 
March 31, 2009 when it was titled ``Approval, Exhaust Gas Monitoring, 
and Safety Requirements for the Use of Diesel Powered Equipment in 
Underground Coal Mines''. The ICR title has been shortened to ``Diesel-
Powered Equipment in Underground Coal Mines'' to focus on the central 
subject of the ICR and to make reference to the ICR simpler.
    The following provisions are addressed by the ICR:
Sec.  75.1901(a)--Diesel fuel requirements;
Sec.  75.1904(b)(4)(i)--Underground diesel fuel tanks and safety cans;
Sec.  75.1906(d)--Transport of diesel fuel;
Sec.  75.1911(i) and (j)--Fire suppression systems for diesel-powered 
equipment and fuel transportation units;
Sec.  75.1912(h) and (i)--Fire suppression systems for permanent 
underground diesel fuel storage facilities;
Sec.  75.1914(f)(1) and (2);(g)(5); (h)(1) and (2)--Maintenance of 
diesel powered equipment;
Sec.  75.1915(a); (b)(5); (c)(1) and ((2)--Training and qualification 
of persons working on diesel-powered equipment.

    MSHA requires mine operators to provide important safety 
protections to underground coal miners who work in mines that use 
diesel-powered equipment. Diesel equipment can pose a fire and 
explosion hazard in the confined environment of an underground coal 
mine where combustible coal dust and explosive methane gas are present.
    This information collection addresses the recordkeeping associated 
with maintenance of diesel-powered equipment; testing and maintenance 
of fire suppression systems on the equipment and at fueling stations; 
exhaust gas sampling provisions to protect miners' safety. Records 
document conditions encountered during: Testing and maintenance of 
diesel equipment; corrective actions taken; and that the persons 
performing the maintenance, repairs, examinations, and tests are 
trained and qualified to do so.

II. Desired Focus of Comments

    MSHA is soliciting comments concerning the proposed extension of 
the information collection related to Diesel-Powered Equipment in 
Underground Coal Mines. MSHA is particularly interested in comments 
that:
     Evaluate whether the 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 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 document 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 this safety standard. 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.
    Type of Review: Extension.
    Agency: Mine Safety and Health Administration.
    Title: Diesel-Powered Equipment for Underground Coal Mines.
    OMB Number: 1219-0119.
    Affected Public: Business or other for-profit.
    Cite/Reference/Form/etc: 30 CFR Part 75.
    Total Respondents: 223.
    Frequency: Various.
    Total Responses: 169,003.
    Estimated Total Burden Hours: 14,364 hours.
    Estimated Total Burden Cost: $457,808.
    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. 2012-6989 Filed 3-22-12; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4510-43-P