September 9, 1998 (Volume 63, Number 174)
48246-48247

Proposed Information Collection Request Submitted for Public Comment and Recommendations; Records of Tests and Examinations of Personnel Hoisting Equipment

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 pre-clearance 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 Records of Tests and Examinations of Personnel Hoisting Equipment. 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 November 9, 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:
Theresa O'Malley, Program Analysis Office, 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. Mrs. O'Malley can be reached at tomalley@dol.gov (Internet E-mail), (703) 235-1470 (voice), or (703) 235-1563 (facsimile).

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION

I. Background

These requirements provide for a record of specific test and inspections of a mine's personnel hoisting systems, including the wire rope, to ensure that the system remains safe to operate. Review of the record indicates whether deficiencies are developing in the equipment, in particular the wire rope, so that corrective action may be taken before an accident occurs. A record is not required if unsafe conditions are not present. However, the mine operator must certify that the required inspections have been made.

The precise format in which the record is kept is left to the discretion of the mine operator. All records are made by the person conducting the required examinations or tests. Unless otherwise noted below, these records are to be retained for one year at the mine site.

II. Current Actions

The information is used by industry management and maintenance personnel to project the expected safe service performance of equipment; to indicate when maintenance and specific test need to be performed; and to ensure that wire rope is replaced in time to maintain the necessary safety for miners. Federal inspectors use the records to ensure that unsafe conditions are identified early and corrected. The consequence of hoist equipment malfunctions or wire rope failures can

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result in serious injuries and fatalities. It is essential that MSHA inspectors be able to verify that mine operators are properly inspecting their hoist equipment for unsafe conditions.

Type of Review: Extension.
Agency: Mine Safety and Health Administration.
Title: Records of Tests and Examinations of Personnel Hoisting Equipment.
OMB Number: 1219-0034.
Agency Number: MSHA 720.
Recordkeeping: All records are required to be retained for one year, except for the wire rope test and that is required for the life of the wire rope.
Affected Public: Business or other for-profit.

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                                   Total                             Total      Average time per                
       Cite/reference           respondents       Frequency        responses        response       Burden hours 
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EXAMINATION 56/57.19023.....              86  Daily...........          22,360  20 minutes......           7,379
(a) and (d), 56/57.19121....              86  Weekly..........           4,472  10 minutes......             745
56/57.19129, 56/57.19131, 56/             86  Bi-weekly.......           2,236  45 min..........           1,677
 57.19132, 56/57.19133, 56/                                                                                     
 57.19134.                                                                                                      
RECORDING 56/57.19023 (a)                 86  Daily...........          22,360  5 min...........           1,863
 and (d).                                 86  Weekly..........           4,472  5 min...........             373
56/57.19121, 56/57.19129....              86  Bi-weekly.......           2,236  5 min...........             186
56/57.19131, 56/57.19132, 56/                                                                                   
 57.19133, 56/57.19134.                                                                                         
EXAMINATION 56/57.19022, 56/              86  2/year..........             172  1 hour..........             172
 57.19023(c), 56/57.19023(e).                                                                                   
RECORDING...................              86  2/year..........             172  9 minutes.......              26
EXAMINATION 75.1400-4,                   274  On occasion.....          18,084  1 hour..........          18,084
 75.1433(d), 77.1404,                                                                                           
 77.1433(d), 77.1906.                                                                                           
RECORDING...................             274  On occ..........          18,084  5 minutes.......           1,506
EXAMINATION 75.1432,                     274  Semi-annual.....             548  1 hour..........             548
 75.1433(e), 77.1432,                                                                                           
 77.1433(e).                                                                                                    
RECORDING...................             274  Semi-annual.....             548  0.15 hr.........              82
EXAMINATION 75.1400-2.......             274  6/yr............           1,644  9 minutes.......             247
RECORDING...................             274  6/year..........           1,644  1 hour..........           1,644
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    TOTALS..................  ..............  ................          99,032  21 min..........          34,532
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Total Burden Cost (capital/startup): This cost is based upon the mine operator's decision as to whether or/not to install a personnel hoist or elevator.
Total Burden Cost (operating/maintaining): $1,304,201. 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.