Proposed Information Collection Request Submitted for Public Comment and Recommendations; Mine Operator Dust Data Cards- 09/20/1999

[Federal Register: August 20, 1999 (Volume 64, Number 161)]

[Notices]

[Page 45574-45575]

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DEPARTMENT OF LABOR
Mine Safety and Health Administration

Proposed Information Collection Request Submitted for Public Comment and Recommendations; Mine Operator Dust Data Cards

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 Mine Operator Dust Data Cards. MSHA is particularly interested in comments which:

evaluate whether the proposed collection of information is necessary

[[Page 45575]]

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 October 19, 1999.

ADDRESSES: Send comments to Theresa M. O'Malley, Program Analysis Officer, Office of Program Evaluation and Information Resources, 4015 Wilson Boulevard, Room 715, Arlington, VA 22203-1984. Commenters are encouraged to send their comments on a computer disk, or via Internet E-mail to tomalley@dol.gov, along with an original printed copy.

Ms. O'Malley can be reached at (703) 235-1470 (voice), or (703) 235-1563 (facsimile).

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Theresa M. O'Malley, Program Analysis Officer, Office of Program Evaluation and Information Resources, U.S. Department of Labor, Mine Safety and Health Administration, Room 719, 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

Section 202(a) of the Federal Mine Safety and Health Act of 1977 (Mine Act), 30 U.S.C. 842, and at 30 CFR Parts 70 and 71, and 90 require coal mine operators to continuously maintain an average concentration of respirable coal mine dust in the mine atmosphere during each shift to which each miner in the active workings of each mine is exposed at or below 2.0 milligrams of respirable dust per cubic meter of air on each shift to prevent overexposure by miners. Regulations promulgated under the Mine Act further require the mine operator during each bimonthly period to collect and submit dust samples to MSHA for analysis to determine compliance with the standards, along with reporting certain information to MSHA on a dust data card that accompanies the dust samples. See 30 CFR 70.209, 71.209, and 90.209.

Specific occupations/work positions, areas of the mine, and miners are designated by regulation or by the mine operator's approved ventilation. These sites are designated for sampling because there is a past history of high respirable dust levels or because a miner has already demonstrated evidence of the early stages of coal workers' pneumoconiosis.

II. Current Actions

This request for a collection of information contains provisions whereby mine operators can continue to verify their compliance with mandatory regulations.

Type of Review

Agency:

OMB Number:

Affected Public:

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                                                                                   Average time
        Cite/reference              Total          Frequency           Total       per response    Burden hours
                                 respondents                         responses        (hours)
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70/.209, 71.209, 90.209, Dust           1,281  Bi-monthly.......          54,000           .7135 hours    38,532
 Sampling and Monitoring.
70.201(c), 71.201(c),                   1,281  On occasion......             630          1.0                630
 90.201(c) MSHA monitored
 samples.
70.202(b), 71.202(b),                   1,281  Annually.........             230          6.6              1,528
 90.202(b), Certification.
70.220(a), 71.220(a),                   1,281  Annually.........           3,200           .50             1,600
 90.220(a), Status Change
 Reports.
71,300.......................           1,281  Annually.........              45          2.98               134
71.301(d) Posting of Plan....           1,281  Annually.........               6           .24                11
90.300.......................           1,281  Annually.........               6          2.67                16
90.301(d)....................           1,281  Annually.........               6           .50                 3
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    Total....................  ..............  .................          58,162           .7299          42,454
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Total Burden Cost (capital/startup):

Total Burden Cost (operating/maintaining):

Dated: August 16, 1999.
Theresa M. O'Malley,
Program Analysis Officer.
[FR Doc. 99-21699 Filed 8-19-99; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4510-43-M