[Federal Register: May 19, 1998 (Volume 63, Number 96); Page 27595]
[Notices]

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DEPARTMENT OF LABOR
Mine Safety and Health Administration

Proposed Information Collection Request Submitted for Public Comment and Recommendations; Representative of Miners

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) in 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 Representative of Miners. 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 July 20, 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

The Federal Mine Safety and Health Act of 1977, 30 U.S.C. 801, et seq., (Mine Act) requires the Secretary of Labor to exercise many of his duties under the Act in cooperation with miners' representatives. The Act also establishes miners' rights which may be exercised through a representative. Title 30, CFR Part 40 contains procedures which a person or organization must follow in order to be designed as a representative of miners.

II. Current Actions

The information is used to identify the designated representative of miners of a specific mine. The Mine Act gives the miner or the representative of miners the right to accompany an MSHA inspector without any loss of pay.

Type of Review: Extension.
Agency: Mine Safety and Health Administration.
Title: 30 CFR 40.3, 40.4, and 40.5, Representative of Miners.
OMB Number: 1219-0042.
Affected Public: Business or other for-profit institutions.
Cite/Reference/Form/etc.: 30 CFR 40.3, 40.4, 40.5.
Total Respondents: 350.
Frequency: On occasion.
Total Responses: 350.
Average Time Per Response: 1 hour.
Estimated Total Burden Hours: 175 hours.
Total Burden Cost (capital/startup): $0.
Total Burden Cost (operating/maintaining): $0.
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.