Volume 61, Number 64, Page 14582-14583

Department of Labor
Mine Safety and Health Administration
[MSHA Form 7000-1]

Proposed Information Collection Request Submitted for Public
Comment and Recommendations; Mine Accident, Injury, and Illness Report

ACTION: Notice.

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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 extension of the information collection related to the "Mine Accident, Injury, and Illness Report" (MSHA Form 7000-1). 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 submission of responses.

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

DATES: Submit written comments to the office listed in the ADDRESSES section below on or before June 3, 1996.

ADDRESSES: Written comments shall be mailed to Patricia W. Silvey, Director, Office of Standards, Regulations, and Variances, U.S. Department of Labor, Mine Safety and Health Administration, 4015 Wilson Boulevard, Arlington, VA 22203-1984. Commenters are encouraged to send their comments on a computer disk, or via E-mail to psilvey, 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 Fesak.George@dol.gov (Internet E-mail), (703) 235-8378 (voice), or (703) 235-1563 (facsimile).

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Background

Sections 103(d), (h), and (j) of the Federal Mine Safety and Health Act of 1977 authorize the recordkeeping and reporting requirements implemented in 30 CFR 50--Notification, Investigation, Reports and Records of Accidents, Injuries, Illnesses, Employment, and Coal Production in Mines. Part 50 consolidated the separate reporting systems under 30 CFR 80, which implemented sections 103(e), 111, and 508 of the Federal Coal Mine Health and Safety Act of 1969 and 30 CFR 58, which implemented sections 4 and 13 of the Federal Metal and Nonmetallic Mine Safety Act of 1966. In so doing, part 50 provided for uniform, industry-wide, mandatory reporting and recordkeeping requirements.

Each mine operator is required to submit to MSHA a Mine Accident, Injury, and Illness Report (MSHA Form 7000-1) for each reportable accident, occupational injury, or illness within 10 working days after an accident or occupational injury occurs or an occupational illness is diagnosed. The MSHA form 7000-1 is one of two collection instruments (the other being the MSHA Form 7000-2( by which the Agency monitors its statutory mandate to reduce accidents, occupational injuries, and occupational illnesses among the nation's miners.

Data obtained from this form and MSHA Form 7000-2 provide MSHA with timely information for making decisions on improving its safety and health enforcement programs, redirecting its education and training efforts, and establishing priorities for technical assistance activities in mine safety and health. Maintaining a current data base allows MSHA to effectively direct resources to improve safety and health in the mining industry. This data base provides a means for directing efforts to areas or mines where hazardous trends are developing. This cannot be done using historical data exclusively. Information collected using this form and the MSHA Form 7000-2 is the most comprehensive and reliable occupational data available concerning the mining industry.

Data collected through these two forms enable MSHA to publish timely quarterly and annual statistics, reflecting current safety and health conditions in the mining industry. These data are used not only by MSHA, but also by other Federal and State agencies, health and safety researchers, and the mining community to assist in measuring and comparing the results of health and safety efforts both in the United States and internationally.

II. Current Actions

MSHA is seeking to continue collection of mine accident, injury, and illness data through the use of this form. Although there has been a significant decline in the number of mining fatalities over the last decade, accidents, injuries, and illnesses continue to result in serious personal suffering as well as significant costs to the mining industry.

MSHA seeks to continue the frequency of collection to enable the Agency to accurately assess the nature and extent of the safety and health conditions in today's mining environment, and to quickly identify and respond to developing trends. By requiring submission of the MSHA Form 7000-1 within 10 working days after an accident or occupational injury occurs or an occupational illness is diagnosed, MSHA is afforded the opportunity to promptly investigate the cause of the occurrence and to identify possible preventive measures.

In order to better serve the mining community, and to reduce the paperwork burden, MSHA is currently developing methodology to enable submission of the Form 7000-1 electronically. MSHA is establishing the capability to allow mine operators and mining contractors to fax the completed Form 7000-1 in lieu of sending the form by mail. MSHA also is developing procedures for transmitting the required data via the Internet. Statistical compilations based on submitted information are already available for the Internet. For more information on this capability, please refer to the person listed in the contact section of this notice.

Type of Review: Extension.
Agency: Mine Safety and Health Administration.
Title: Mine Accident, Injury, and Illness Report.
OMB Number: 1219-0007.
Recordkeeping: 30 CFR 50.40(b) requires respondents to maintain a copy of the Form 7000-1 at the office closest to the mine for 5 years after submission.
Affected Public: Business or other for-profit.

Form: MSHA Form 7000-1.
Total Respondents: 19,935 mine operators and mining contractors.
Frequency: On occasion.
Total Responses: 44,444.
Average Time per Response: 1.91 hours.
Estimated Total Burden Hours: 84,946 hours.
Estimated Total Burden Cost: $23,160.

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.

George M. Fesak,
Director, Program Evaluation and Information Resources.

[FR Doc. 96-7947 Filed 4-1-96; 8:45 am]
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