[Federal Register Volume 77, Number 182 (Wednesday, September 19, 2012)]
[Notices]
[Pages 58170-58172]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2012-23010]


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DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Mine Safety and Health Administration

[OMB Control No. 1219-0054]


Proposed Renewal of Existing Information Collection; Fire 
Protection (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 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. Currently, the Mine Safety and Health Administration is 
soliciting comments concerning the extension of the information 
collection for 30 CFR 75.1100-3, 75.1103-5(a)(2)(ii), 75.1103-8(b) and 
(c), 75.1103-11, 75.1501(a)(3), and 75.1502(a) and (b). OMB last 
approved this information collection request on January 8, 2010. The 
package expires on January 31, 2013.

DATES: All comments must be postmarked or received by midnight Eastern 
Time on November 19, 2012.

ADDRESSES: Comments concerning the information collection requirements 
of this notice must be clearly identified with ``OMB 1219-0054'' and 
sent to both the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) and the Mine 
Safety and Health Administration (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 1219-0054'' 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

[[Page 58171]]

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

    Fire protection standards for underground coal mines are based on 
section 311(a) of the Federal Mine Safety and Health Act of 1977 (Mine 
Act). 30 CFR 75.1100 requires that each coal mine be provided with 
suitable firefighting equipment adapted for the size and conditions of 
the mine, and that the Secretary of Labor shall establish minimum 
requirements of the type, quality, and quantity of such equipment. 30 
CFR 75.1100-3 requires that chemical fire extinguishers be examined 
every 6 months and that the date of the examination be recorded on a 
permanent tag attached to the extinguisher.
    30 CFR 75.1103-5(a)(2)(ii) requires that a map or schematic be 
updated within 24 hours of any change in the locations of automatic 
fire warning sensors and the intended air flow direction at these 
locations. This map or schematic would be kept at a manned surface 
location where personnel have an assigned post of duty. This provision 
is added to this information collection from 1219-0145.
    30 CFR 75.1103-8(a) requires that a qualified person examine the 
automatic fire sensor and warning device systems on a weekly basis and 
conduct a functional test of the complete system at least once every 
seven days. Section 75.1103-8(b) requires that a record of the weekly 
automatic fire sensor functional tests be maintained by the mine 
operator and kept for a period of one year. 30 CFR 75.1103-8(c) 
requires that sensors be calibrated in accordance with the 
manufacturer's calibration instructions at intervals not to exceed 31 
days. Records of the sensor calibrations must be maintained by the 
operator and kept for a period of one year. These last two provisions 
are added to this information collection from 1219-0145.
    30 CFR 75.1103-11 requires that each fire hydrant and hose be 
tested at least once a year and the records of those tests be 
maintained at an appropriate location.
    30 CFR 75.1501(a)(3) requires the operator to certify that each 
responsible person is trained and that the certification is maintained 
at the mine for at least one year.
    30 CFR 75.1502 requires each mine operator to adopt and follow a 
mine evacuation and firefighting program of instruction that addresses 
all mine emergencies created as a result of a fire, an explosion, or a 
gas or water inundation. In addition, this section requires mine 
operators to submit this program of instruction, and any revisions, to 
MSHA for its approval and to train miners regarding the use of the 
program of instruction, and any revisions to such program of 
instruction, after it is approved by MSHA.
    This information collection addresses the recordkeeping associated 
with:

75.1100-3.........................................  Condition and
                                                     examination of fire
                                                     fighting equipment.
75.1103-5(a)(2)(ii)...............................  Automatic fire
                                                     warning devices;
                                                     actions and
                                                     response.
75.1103-8(b) & (c)................................  Automatic fire
                                                     sensor and warning
                                                     device systems;
                                                     examination and
                                                     test requirements.
75.1103-11........................................  Tests of fire
                                                     hydrants and fire
                                                     hose; record of
                                                     tests.
75.1501(a)(3).....................................  Emergency
                                                     evacuations.
75.1502(a) & (b)..................................  Mine emergency
                                                     evacuation and
                                                     firefighting
                                                     program of
                                                     instruction.
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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 this safety standard on records of fire 
protection in underground coal mines. 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 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 safety and health standards. 
MSHA has updated the data with respect to the number of respondents and 
responses, as well as the total burden hours and burden costs 
supporting this information collection extension request.

Summary

    Type of Review: Extension.
    Agency: Mine Safety and Health Administration.
    Title: Fire Protection (Underground Coal Mines).
    OMB Number: 1219-0054.
    Affected Public: Business or other for-profit.
    Cite/Reference/Form/etc: 30 CFR 75.1100-3, 75.1103-5(a)(2)(ii), 
75.1103-8(b) and (c), 75.1103-11, 75.1501(a)(3), and 75.1502(a) and 
(b).
    Total Number of Respondents: 549.
    Frequency: Various.
    Total Number of Responses: 294,618.

[[Page 58172]]

    Total Burden Hours: 54,809 hours.
    Total Annual Cost Burden: $693.
    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).

    Dated: September 13, 2012.
George F. Triebsch,
Certifying Officer.
[FR Doc. 2012-23010 Filed 9-18-12; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4510-43-P