Volume 62, Number 211, Page 58994-58995

DEPARTMENT OF LABOR
Mine Safety and Health Administration

Proposed Information Collection Request Submitted for Public Comment and Recommendations; Ventilation Plans, Tests, and Examinations in Underground Coal Mines

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 existing information collection related to Ventilation Plans, Tests, and Examinations in Underground Coal Mines. MSHA is particularly interested in comment 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 or responses.

A copy of the proposed information collection request can be obtained by contracting the employee listed below in the For Further Information Contact section of this notice.

DATES: Submit comments on or before December 30, 1997.

ADDRESSES: Send comments 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 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 gfesak@gov (internet E-mail), (703) 235-8378 (voice), or (703) 235-1563 (facsimile).

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Background

Underground coal mines usually present harsh and hostile working environments. The ventilation system is the most vital life support system in underground mining and a properly operating ventilation system is essential for maintaining a safe and healthful working environment. Lack of adequate ventilation in underground mines has resulted in fatalities from asphyxiation and explosions.

An underground mine is a maze of tunnels that must be adequately ventilated with fresh air to provide a safe environment for miners. Methane is liberated from the strata, and noxious gases and dusts from blasting and other mining activities may be present. The explosive and noxious gases and dusts must be diluted, rendered harmless, and carried to the surface by the ventilating currents. Sufficient air must be provided to maintain the level of respirable dust at or below 2 milligrams per cubic meter of air and air quality must be maintained in accordance with MSHA standards. Mechanical ventilation equipment of sufficient capacity must operate at all times while miners are in the mine. Ground conditions are subject to frequent changes, thus sufficient tests and examinations are necessary to ensure the integrity of the ventilation system and to detect any changes that any require adjustments in the system. Records of tests and examinations are necessary to ensure that the ventilation system is being maintained and that changes which could adversely affect the integrity of the system or the safety of the miners are not occurring. These examinations requirements of 75.360 through 75.364 also incorporate examinations of other critical aspects of the underground work environment such as roof conditions and electrical equipment which have historically cased numerous fatalities if not properly maintained and operated.

II. Current Actions

MSHA is seeking to continue the requirements for mine mine ventilation plans, tests and examinations in underground coal mines. The records give notice to mine management and the miners on the oncoming shift on mine conditions, identify hazards on working sections during the previous shift, and verify that proper ventilation is being maintained. The information is available to all interested persons at the mine to assure them that the integrity of the ventilation system is being provided for the miners. MSHA inspectors use the records to determine that tests and examinations, required by the regulations, are made.

Type of Review: Revision.
Agency: Mine Safety and Health Administration.
Title: Ventilation Plans, Tests, and Examinations in Underground Coal Mines.
Affected Public Business or other for-profit.
Cite/Reference/Form/etc: 30 CFR 75.310, 75.312, 75.342, 75.351, 75.360, 75.361, 75.362, 75.363, 75.364, 75.370 and 75.382.

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30 CFR section	Respondents	Burden hours	Burden hours cost
75.310..........................................................	980	7,523	$195,598
75.312..........................................................	980	99,739	$2,593,214
75.312(c)(d)....................................................	980	3,920	$101,920
75.312(g).......................................................	980	620	$16,120
75.312(g)(2)(ii)................................................	23	46	$1,196
75.342..........................................................	980	10,515	$273,390
75.351(h).......................................................	60	5,984	$155,584
75.360..........................................................	980	1,470,667	$38,641,870
75.361..........................................................	980	7,500	$195,000
75.362..........................................................	980	642,744	25,709,760
75.363..........................................................	980	10,224	319,514
75.364..........................................................	980	410,884	10,767,544
75.370..........................................................	554	38,226	$1,509,264
75.382..........................................................	300	15,000	$390,000
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Total.....................................................	10,737	2,723,592	80,869,974

Frequency: On occasion; quarterly.
Average Time per Response: Varies from 5 minutes for countersigning preshift examinations to 16 hours for updating mine ventilation plans.
Total Burden Cost (capital/startup): $0.
Total Burden Cost (operating/maintaining): $194,256.
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.

Dated: October 27, 1997.
George M. Fesak,
Director, Program Evaluation and Information Resource.
[FR Doc. 97-28918 Filed 10-30-97; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4510-43-M