Volume 62, Number 133, Page 37298-37299

DEPARTMENT OF LABOR
Mine Safety and Health Administration

Proposed Information Collection Request Submitted for Public Comment and Recommendations: Mine Rescue Teams; Arrangements for Emergency Medical Assistance; and Arrangements for Transportation for Injured Persons

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 and reinstatement of information collection requirements related to Mine Rescue Teams; Arrangements for Emergency Medical Assistance; and Arrangements for Transportation for Injured Persons. In addition, MSHA is soliciting comments concerning existing paperwork requirements related to Availability of Mine Rescue Teams which have not been previously approved by OMB. 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 FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT section of this notice.

DATES: Submit comments on or before September 9, 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 on (703) 235- 1910 (voice) or (703) 234-5551 (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

Section 115(e) of the Federal Mine Safety and Health Act of 1977 required the Secretary of Labor to publish proposed regulations which provide that mine rescue teams be available for rescue and recovery work to each

[[Page 37299]] underground mine in the event of emergency. Congress considered the ready availability of mine rescue teams in the event of an accident to be vital protection for miners.

In responding to Congressional concerns, MSHA promulgated 30 CFR part 49, Mine Rescue Teams. These regulations set standards related to the availability of mine rescue teams; alternate mine rescue capability for small and remote mines and mines with special mining conditions; inspection and maintenance records of mine rescue equipment and apparatus; physical requirements for mine rescue team members and alternates; and experience and training requirements for team members and alternates.

II. Current Actions

This request for review consolidates all paperwork requirements related to mine rescue teams, arrangements for emergency medical assistance, and arrangements for transportation for injured persons into a single paperwork package under Office of Management and Budget (OMB) control number 1219-0078. The consolidated package includes all paperwork requirements which were formerly approved under OMB control numbers 1219-0077, 1219-0078, and 1219-0093, as well as certain paperwork requirements which are currently approved under OMB control number 1219-0049. In addition, paperwork requirements under 30 CFR Sec. 49.2 which have not been approved by OMB have been included in this consolidated package to eliminate the need for an additional package.

Type of Review: New, extension, and reinstatement (without change).
Agency: Mine Safety and Health Administration.
Title: Mine Rescue Teams; Arrangements for Emergency Medical Assistance; and Arrangements for Transportation for Injured Persons.
OMB Number: 1219-0078.
Recordkeeping: One year.
Affected Public: Business or other for-profit institutions.
Estimated Burden Hours:

Cite/Reference	Total re- spondents	Frequency	Total re- spondents	Average time per responses	Burden
49.2........................ 49.3 and 4.............. 49.6........................ 49.7........................ 49.8....................... 49.9........................ 75.1713-1................ 77.1702................... Totals...................	1,285 72 311 311 311 1,357 1,117 1,781                     3,138	On occasion.................... On occasion.................... Bimonthly...................... Annually....................... Annually....................... On occasion.................... On occasion.................... On occasion.................... ..........................................	89 10 3,588 3,732 17,310 98 67 90                     54,984	1.00 hour................ 2.00 hours............... 0.31 hour................. 2.13 hours................ 0.60 hours................ 2.00 hours................ 2.00 hours................ 2.00 hours................                                    0.53 hour	89 hours. 20 hours. 10,263 hours. 7,931 hours 10,452 hours. 197 hours. 135 hours. 180 hours                           29,267 hours.

Estimated Burden Hour Cost: $1,007,898.
Estimated Burden Cost (capital/startup): $0.
Estimated Burden Cost (operating/maintaining): $559,260.

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: July 7, 1997.
George M. Fesak,
Director, Program Evaluation and Information Resources.
[FR Doc. 97-18281 Filed 7-10-97; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4510-43-M