[Federal Register Volume 77, Number 120 (Thursday, June 21, 2012)]
[Notices]
[Pages 37441-37442]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2012-15189]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Office of the Secretary


Agency Information Collection Activities; Submission for OMB 
Review; Comment Request; Diesel-Powered Equipment in Underground Coal 
Mines

ACTION: Notice.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: The Department of Labor (DOL) is submitting the Mine Safety 
and Health Administration (MSHA) sponsored information collection 
request (ICR) titled, ``Diesel-Powered Equipment in Underground Coal 
Mines,'' to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for review and 
approval for continued use in accordance with the Paperwork Reduction 
Act (PRA) of 1995 (44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq.).

DATES: Submit comments on or before July 23, 2012.

ADDRESSES: A copy of this ICR with applicable supporting documentation; 
including a description of the likely respondents, proposed frequency 
of response, and estimated total burden may be obtained from the 
RegInfo.gov Web site, http://www.reginfo.gov/public/do/PRAMain, on the 
day following publication of this notice or by contacting Michel Smyth 
by telephone at 202-693-4129 (this is not a toll-free number) or 
sending an email to [email protected].
    Submit comments about this request to the Office of Information and 
Regulatory Affairs, Attn: OMB Desk Officer for DOL-MSHA, Office of 
Management and Budget, Room 10235, New Executive Office Building, 
Washington, DC 20503, Telephone: 202-395-6929/Fax: 202-395-6881 (these 
are not toll-free numbers), email: [email protected].

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Contact Michel Smyth by telephone at 
202-693-4129 (this is not a toll-free number) or by email at [email protected].

[[Page 37442]]


SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The MSHA requires mine operators to provide 
important safety and health protections to underground coal miners who 
work on and around diesel-powered equipment. Engines powering diesel 
equipment are potential contributors to fires and explosion hazards in 
the confined environment of an underground coal mine where combustible 
coal dust and explosive methane gas are present. Diesel equipment 
operating in underground coal mines also can pose serious health risks 
to miners from exposure to diesel exhaust emissions, including diesel 
particulates, oxides of nitrogen, and carbon monoxide. Diesel exhaust 
is a lung carcinogen in animals.
    This ICR relates to the maintenance and use of diesel equipment; 
tests and maintenance of fire suppression systems on both the equipment 
and at fueling stations; and exhaust gas sampling. The records are 
required to document essential testing and maintenance of diesel-
powered equipment are conducted regularly by qualified persons; 
corrective actions are taken; and persons performing maintenance, 
repairs, examinations, and tests are trained and qualified to perform 
such tasks.
    The safety requirements for diesel equipment include many proven 
features required in existing standards for electric-powered mobile 
equipment, such as cabs or canopies, methane monitors, brakes and 
lights. Sampling of diesel exhaust emissions is required to protect 
miners from overexposure to carbon monoxide and nitrogen dioxide 
contained in diesel exhaust.
    The subject information collection requirements are found in 
regulations 30 CFR 75.1901(a), Diesel fuel requirements; 75.1911(j), 
Fire suppression systems for diesel-powered equipment and fuel 
transportation units; 75.1912(i), Fire suppression systems for 
permanent underground diesel fuel storage facilities; 75.1914(f)(1) and 
(2), (g)(5), and (h)(1) and (2), Maintenance of diesel-powered 
equipment; and 75.1915(b)(5), (c)(1), and (2), Training and 
qualification of persons working on diesel-powered equipment.
    These information collections are subject to the PRA. A Federal 
agency generally cannot conduct or sponsor a collection of information, 
and the public is generally not required to respond to an information 
collection, unless it is approved by the OMB under the PRA and displays 
a currently valid OMB Control Number. In addition, notwithstanding any 
other provisions of law, no person shall generally be subject to 
penalty for failing to comply with a collection of information if the 
collection of information does not display a valid OMB Control Number. 
See 5 CFR 1320.5(a) and 1320.6. The DOL obtains OMB approval for this 
information collection under Control Number 1219-0119. The current OMB 
approval is scheduled to expire on June 30, 2012; however, it should be 
noted that existing information collection requirements submitted to 
the OMB receive a month-to-month extension while they undergo review. 
For additional information, see the related notice published in the 
Federal Register on March 23, 2012 (77 FR 17099).
    Interested parties are encouraged to send comments to the OMB, 
Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs at the address shown in 
the ADDRESSES section within 30 days of publication of this notice in 
the Federal Register. In order to help ensure appropriate 
consideration, comments should mention OMB Control Number 1219-0119. 
The OMB 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 through the use of appropriate 
automated, electronic, mechanical, or other technological collection 
techniques or other forms of information technology, e.g., permitting 
electronic submission of responses.
    Agency: DOL-MSHA.
    Title of Collection: Diesel-Powered Equipment in Underground Coal 
Mines.
    OMB Control Number: 1219-0119.
    Affected Public: Private Sector--Businesses or other for profits.
    Total Estimated Number of Respondents: 223.
    Total Estimated Number of Responses: 169,003.
    Total Estimated Annual Burden Hours: 14,364.
    Total Estimated Annual Other Costs Burden: $457,808.

    Dated: June 18, 2012.
Michel Smyth,
Departmental Clearance Officer.
[FR Doc. 2012-15189 Filed 6-20-12; 8:45 a.m.]
BILLING CODE 4510-43-P