Volume 61, Number 140, Page 37770-37771

DEPARTMENT OF LABOR
Mine Safety and Health Administration

Proposed Information Collection Request Submitted for Public Comment and Recommendations; Training of Mine Rescue Teams

ACTION: Notice.

SUMMARY: The Department of Labor, as part of its continuing effort to reduce paperwork and respondent burden conducts a preclearance 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 (PRA95) [44 U.S.C. 3506(c)(2)(A)]. This program helps to ensure 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 (MSHA) is soliciting comments concerning the proposed reinstatement of the information collection related to the Training of Mine Rescue Teams. MSHA is particularly interested in comments which:

* 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 submissions of responses.

A copy of the proposed information collection request can be obtained by contacting the employee listed below in the Addressee section of this notice.

DATES: Submit comments on or before September 17, 1996.

ADDRESSES: Written comments shall be mailed to Patricia W. Silvey, Director, Office of Standards, Regulations, and Variances, 4015 Wilson Boulevard, Room 627, Arlington, VA 22203-1984. Commenters are encouraged to send their comments on a computer disk, or via E-mail to psilveymsha.gov, along with an original printed copy. Ms. Silvey can be reached at (703) 235-1910 (voice) or 703 235-5551 (facsimile).

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: George M. Fesak, Director, Office of Program Evaluation and Information Resources, U.S. Department of Labor, Mine Safety and Health Administration, Room 715, 4015 Wilson Boulevard, Arlington, VA 22203-1984. Mr. Fesak can be reached at gfesakmsha.gov (Internet E-mail), (703) 235-8378 (voice), or 703 235-1563 (facsimile).

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Background

Congress considered the ready availability of mine rescue in the event of an accident to be vital protection to miners. The concern was that, too often in the past, rescue efforts at a disaster site have had to await the delayed arrival of skilled mine rescue teams. In responding to the direction of Congress, MSHA promulgated 30 CFR 49, Mine Rescue Teams. The regulations covered the required availability of mine rescue teams; alternate mine rescue capability for small and remote mines and special mining conditions; inspection and maintenance records of mine rescue equipment and apparatus; physical requirements for team members and alternates; and experience and training requirements for team members and alternates.

II. Current Actions

Standard 49.8 requires that prior to serving on a mine rescue team, each member must complete an initial 20-hour course of instruction in the use, care, and maintenance of the type of breathing apparatus which will be used by the mine rescue team. In addition, all team members are required to receive 40 hours of refresher training annually. A record of the training received by each mine rescue team member is required to be on file at the mine rescue station for a period of one year.

The purpose of the regulation is to assure that mine rescue teams will be properly trained in all phases of mine rescue work, including all conditions that might be encountered in the event of an actual emergency.

Type of Review: Reinstatement (without change).
Agency: Mine Safety and Health Administration.
Title: Training of Mine Rescue Teams.
OMB Number: 1219-0077.
Recordkeeping: One year.
Affected Public: Business or other for-profit.

Comments submitted in response to this notice will be summarized and/or 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.