[Federal Register: September 24, 1999 (Volume 64, Number 185)]
[Notices]
[Page 51793]
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DEPARTMENT OF LABOR
Mine Safety and Health Administration
Proposed Information Collection Request Submitted for Public
Comment and Recommendations; Approval, Exhaust Gas Monitoring, and
Safety Requirements for the Use of Diesel-Powered Equipment in
Underground Coal
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 extension of the information
collection related to the Approval, Exhaust Gas Monitoring, and Safety
Requirements for the Use of Diesel-Powered Equipment in Underground
coal. 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 23, 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
The rule addresses three major areas: Diesel engine design and
testing requirements; safety standards for the maintenance and use of
this equipment; and exhaust gas sampling provisions to protect miners'
health.
First, the rule requires that diesel engines and their critical
components meet design specifications and tests to show that they are
explosion-proof and will not cause a fire in a mine. Second, the safety
requirements for diesel equipment include many proven features required
in existing standards for electric-powered equipment. The rule also
sets safety requirements for fuel handling and storage and fire
suppression. Finally, the rule requires sampling of diesel exhaust
emissions to protect miners from overexposure to carbon monoxide and
nitrogen dioxide contained in diesel exhaust.
II. Current Actions
The recordkeeping requirements contained in the rule are the
minimum necessary to ensure the safe and healthful operation of diesel-
powered equipment in underground coal mines; to verify compliance with
the regulations, and provide important information to mine operators
and miners' representatives about safety and health conditions in
miners' workplaces. Reduction of these recordkeeping requirements
increase the likelihood that unsafe and unhealthy conditions would go
undetected and uncorrected in underground coal mines.
Type of Review: Extension.
Agency: Mine Safety and Health Administration.
Title: Approval, Exhaust Gas Monitoring, and Safety Requirements
for the Use of Diesel-Powered Equipment in Underground coal.
OMB Number: 1219-0119.
Recordkeeping: Indefinitely.
Affected Public: Business or other for-profit.
Total Respondents: 199.
Frequency: On occasion.
Total Responses: 234,308.
Average Time per Response: 0.24 hours.
Estimated Total Burden Hours: 56,339.
Total Burden Cost (capital/startup): $45,094.
Total Burden Cost (operating/maintaining): $617,238.
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: September 20, 1999.
Theresa M. O'Malley,
Chief, Records Management Group.
[FR Doc. 99-24957 Filed 9-23-99; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4510-43-M
