[Federal Register: May 14, 1999 (Volume 64, Number 93)]

[Notices]

[Page 26459-26460]

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DEPARTMENT OF LABOR
Mine Safety and Health Administration

Proposed Information Collection Request Submitted for Public Comment and Recommendations; Quarterly Mine Employment and Coal Production Report

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 Quarterly Mine Employment and Coal Production Report (30 CFR 50.30, Form 7000-2).

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 13, 1999.

[[Page 26460]]

ADDRESSES: Send comments to Theresa M. O'Malley, Chief, Records Management Branch, Program Evaluation and Information Resources, 4015 Wilson Boulevard, Room 735A, Arlington, VA 22203-1984. Commenters are encouraged to send their comments on a computer disk, or via E-mail to tomalley@dol.gov, along with an original printed copy. Mrs. O'Malley can be reached at (703) 235-1470 (voice) or (703) 235-1563 (facsimile).

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mrs. Theresa M. O'Malley, Chief, Records Management Branch, Office of Program Evaluation and Information Resources, U.S. Department of Labor, Mine Safety and Health Administration, Room 735A, 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

The reporting and recordkeeping provisions in 30 CFR 50, Notification, Investigation, Reports and Records of Accidents, Injuries and Illnesses, Employment and Coal Production in Mines, are essential elements in MSHA's Congressional mandate to reduce work-related injuries and illnesses among the nation's miners.

Section 30 CFR 50.30(a) requires mine operators and independent contractors working on mine property to report quarterly employment and coal production to MSHA on Form 7000-2. MSHA tabulates and analyzes the information from this form along with data from MSHA Form 7000-1, Mine Accident, Injury, and Illness Report (OMB No. 1219-0007), to compute incidence and severity rates for various injury types. These rates are used to analyze trends and to assess the degree of success of the health and safety efforts of MSHA and the mining industry.

II. Current Actions

MSHA is seeking approval of the existing information collection requirements as required by the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, as amended.

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                                                                                   Average time
                   Collection                        Quarterly     Total annual    per response    Burden hours
                                                     response        responses       (minutes)
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7000-2 mailed...................................          17,203          68,812              30          34,406
7000-2 faxed....................................           1,912           7,646              30           3,823
7000-2 electronic...............................             624           2,496              15             624
Verify Data Mailer..............................             n/a          10,000              30           5,000
Correct Data Mailer.............................             n/a             247              15              62
                                                 ---------------------------------------------------------------
    Totals......................................  ..............          89,205  ..............          43,915
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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: May 10, 1999.
George M. Fesak,
Director, Program Evaluation and Information Resources.
[FR Doc. 99-12219 Filed 5-13-99; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4510-43-M


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