[Federal Register Volume 77, Number 182 (Wednesday, September 19, 2012)]
[Notices]
[Pages 58173-58174]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2012-23011]


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DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Mine Safety and Health Administration

[OMB Control No. 1219-0095]


Proposed Extension of Existing Information Collection; Explosive 
Materials and Blasting Units (Pertains to Metal and Nonmetal 
Underground Mines Deemed To Be Gassy

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 requirements under 30 CFR 57.22606(a). OMB last approved 
this information collection request (ICR) on February 1, 2010.

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

ADDRESSES: Comments concerning the information collection requirements 
of this notice must be clearly identified with ``OMB 1219-0095'' and 
sent to the Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA). Comments 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 1219-0095'' 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.

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

    Under Title 30 U.S. Code of Federal Regulations (30 CFR) Parts 7 
and 15, the Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) evaluates and 
approves explosive materials and blasting units as permissible for use 
in the mining industry. However, since there are no permissible 
explosives or blasting units available that have adequate blasting 
capacity for some metal and nonmetal gassy mines, 30 CFR 57.22606(a) 
outlines the procedures for mine operators to follow when using non-
approved explosive materials and blasting units. The standard requires 
mine operators of Class III metal or nonmetal mines to notify MSHA in 
writing prior to their use of non-approved explosive materials and 
blasting units. MSHA then evaluates the non-approved explosive 
materials and determines whether they are safe for use in a gassy 
environment.

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 Explosive Materials and Blasting Units when used 
in metal and nonmetal underground mines deemed to be gassy. 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

[[Page 58174]]

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.

Summary

    Type of Review: Extension.
    Agency: Mine Safety and Health Administration.
    Title: Explosive Materials and Blasting Units (pertains to metal 
and nonmetal underground mines deemed to be gassy).
    OMB Number: 1219-0095.
    Affected Public: Business or other for-profit.
    Cite/Reference/Form/etc: 30 CFR 57.22606(a).
    Total Number of Respondents: 1.
    Frequency: 1.
    Total Number of Responses: 1.
    Total Burden Hours: 1 hour.
    Total Other Annual Cost Burden: $6.
    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. 2012-23011 Filed 9-18-12; 8:45 am]
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