Volume 62, Number 72, Page 18366-18367

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DEPARTMENT OF LABOR
Mine Safety and Health Administration

Proposed Information Collection Request Submitted for Public Comment and Recommendations; Fire Protection (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

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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 about the proposed reinstatement of the information collection related to program of instruction, location and use of fire fighting equipment, location of escapeways, exits and routes of travel, and evacuation procedures. MSHA is also soliciting comments about certain existing information collections which were determined to be certifications under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1980 and were therefore not considered to be a paperwork burden under that statute. These collections are related to examinations of chemical fire extinguishers, fire drills, examinations and tests of automatic fire sensor and warning device systems, and tests of fire hydrants and fire hose. 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 June 16, 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 Fesak.George@dol.gov (Internet E-mail), (703) 235-8378 (voice), or (703) 235-1563 (facsimile).

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Background

Subpart L of 30 CFR 75 establishes minimum fire protection requirements for underground coal mines. This subpart contains provisions requiring that a program for the instruction of miners in fire fighting and evacuation procedures be adopted by the mine operator and approved by the MSHA district manager. Subpart L also contains provisions requiring fire extinguishers to be examined every 6 months, fire drills to be conducted every 90 days, automatic fire sensor and warning device systems to be examined weekly and tested annually, and fire hydrants and hose to be tested at least once a year. These provisions also require that the mine operator maintain a record or certification that the fire drills and examinations and tests were conducted.

II. Current Actions

MSHA believes that the requirement for distinct fire fighting and evacuation programs for coal mines promotes the objectives of the Federal Mine Safety and Health Act of 1977 by ensuring that miners are able to safely evacuate a mine in the event of a fire and that fires are extinguished as soon as possible. MSHA uses the programs and the fire drill and fire fighting equipment certifications to determine whether a mine operator has adequate procedures and equipment to protect miners in the event of a fire.

Type of Review: Reinstatement (without change) and approval of existing collections in use without an OMB control number.
Agency: Mine Safety and Health Administration.
Title: Fire Protection (Underground Coal Mines).
OMB Number: 1219-0054.
Affected Public: Business or other for-profit institutions.

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: April 9, 1997.
George M. Fesak,
Director, Program Evaluation and Information Resources.
[FR Doc. 97-9665 Filed 4-14-97; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4510-43-M