[Federal Register: April 27, 1998 (Volume 63, Number 80)]
[Notices]
[Page 20659-20660]
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DEPARTMENT OF LABOR
Mine Safety and Health Administration
Proposed Information Collection Request Submitted for Public
Comment and Recommendations; Applications for a Permit To Fire More
Than 20 Boreholes, for the Use of Nonpermissible Blasting Units,
Explosives, and Shot-firing Units
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 application for a permit to fire
more than 20 boreholes, for the use of nonpermissible blasting units,
and for the use of nonpermissible explosives and nonpermissible shot-
firing units, and posting of warning notices with regard to mis-fired
explosives. 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 26, 1998.
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
Under Section 313 of the Federal Mine Safety and Health Act of 1977
(Mine Act), 30 U.S.C. 873, a mine operator is required to use
permissible explosives in underground coal mines. The Mine Act also
provides that under safeguards prescribed by the Secretary of Labor, a
mine operator may permit the firing of more than 20 shots and the use
of nonpermissible explosives in sinking shafts and slopes from the
surface in rock. Title 30, CFR 75.1321 outlines the procedures by which
a permit may be issued for the firing of more than 20 boreholes and/or
the use of nonpermissible shot-firing units in underground coal mines.
In those instances in which there is a misfire of explosives, 30 CFR
75.1327 requires that a qualified person post each accessible entrance
to the affected area with a warning to prohibit entry. Title 30 CFR
77.1909-1 outlines the procedures by which a coal mine operator may
apply for a permit to use nonpermissible explosives and/or shot-firing
units in the blasting of rock while sinking shafts or slopes for
underground coal mines.
II. Current Actions
Title 30, CFR 75.1321, 75.1327 and 77.1901-1 provide MSHA District
Managers with the authority to address unusual but reoccurring blasting
practices needed for breaking rock types more resilient than coal and
for misfires in blasting coal. MSHA uses the information requested to
issue permits to mine operators or shaft and slope contractors for the
use of nonpermissible explosives and/or shot-firing units under 30 CFR
Part 77, Subpart T--Slope and Shaft Sinking. Similar permits are issued
by MSHA to underground coal mine operators for shooting more than 20
bore holes and/or for the use of nonpermissible shot firing units when
requested under 30 CFR Part 75, Subpart N--Explosives and Blasting. The
approved permits allow the use of specific equipment and explosives in
limited applications and under exceptional circumstances where standard
coal blasting techniques or equipment is inadequate to the task. These
permits inform mine management and the miners of the steps to be
employed to protect the safety of any person exposed to such blasting
while using nonpermissible items. Also, the posting of danger/warning
signs at entrances to locations where an misfired blast hole or round
remains indisposed is a safety precaution predating the Coal Mine
Safety and Health Act.
Type of Review: Extension (without change).
Agency: Mine Safety and Health Administration.
Title: 30 CFR 75.1321, 75.1327, and 77.1909-1--Applications for a
permit to fire more than 20 boreholes, for the use of nonpermissible
blasting units, and for the use of nonpermissible explosives and
nonpermissible shot-firing units, and posting of warning notices with
regard to misfired explosives (pertains to coal mining industry).
OMB Number: 1219-0025.
Affected Public: Business or other for-profit institutions.
Cite/Reference/Form/etc: 30 CFR 75.1321, 75.1327 and 77.1901-1.
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Total Total Average time per Burden
Cite/reference respondents Frequency responses response (hours)
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75.1321 Permit Appl.......... 65 On Occasion........... 65 1 hour........... 65
75.1327 Misfire Notices 120 On Occasion........... 120 20 minutes....... 40
Posted.
77.1909-1 Permit Appl........ 5 On Occasion........... 5 1 hour........... 5
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Totals.................... ........... ...................... 190 ................. 110
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Total Burden Cost (capital/startup): $0.
Total Burden Cost (operating/maintaining): $755.
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 20, 1998.
George M. Fesak,
Director, Program Evaluation and Information Resources.
[FR Doc. 98-11109 Filed 4-24-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4510-47-M
