[Federal Register: August 24, 2000 (Volume 65, Number 165)]
[Notices]
[Page 51629]
DEPARTMENT OF LABOR
Mine Safety and Health Administration
Proposed Information Collection Request Submitted for Public
Comment and Recommendations; Record of Examination for Hazardous
Conditions
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 (PRA 95) [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.
DATES: Submit comments on or before October 23, 2000.
ADDRESSES: Send comments to Brenda C. Teaster, Acting Chief, Records
Management Division, 4015 Wilson Boulevard, Room 709A, Arlington, VA
22203-1984. Commenters are encouraged to send their comments on a
computer disk, or via Internet E-mail to bteaster, along with
an original printed copy. Mrs. Teaster can be reached at (703) 235-1470
(voice), or (703) 235-1563 (facsimile).
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Brenda C. Teaster, Acting Chief,
Records Management Division, U.S. Department of Labor, Mine Safety and
Health Administration , Room 709A, 4015 Wilson Boulevard, Arlington, VA
22203-1984. Mrs. Teaster can be reached at bteaster (Internet
E-mail), (703) 235-1470 (voice), or (703) 235-1563 (facsimile).
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
I. Background
Coal mine operators are required by 30 CFR 77.1713 to conduct
examinations of each active working area of surface mines, active
surface installations at these mines, and preparation plants not
associated with underground coal mines for hazardous conditions during
each shift. A report of any hazardous conditions detected must be
entered into a record book, along with a description of any corrective
actions taken.
A number of potential hazards can exist at surface coal mines and
facilities Highwalls, mining equipment, travelways, and the handling of
mining materials each present possible hazardous conditions. Since
promulgation of 30 CFR 77.1713 in 1971, numerous miners have either
lost their lives at the areas affected by the subject standard or
received injuries of varying degrees of seriousness. The majority of
the injuries and fatalities resulted from hazardous conditions that had
not been detected or corrected.
II. Desired Focus of Comments
Currently, the Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) is
soliciting comments concerning the proposed extension of the
information collection related to the Record of Examinations for
Hazardous Conditions. 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 may be viewed
on the Internet by accessing the MSHA Home Page (http://www.msha.gov)
and selecting ``Statutory and Regulatory Information'' then ``Paperwork
Reduction Act submission (http://www.msha.gov/regspwork.htm)'', or by
contacting the employee listed above in the For Further Information
Contact section of this notice for a hard copy.
III. Current Actions
By conducting an on-shift examination for hazardous conditions, the
mine operator better guarantees a safe working environment for the
miners and a reduction in accidents. Examinations for hazardous
conditions are required to be conducted each shift. To do so less
frequently could allow unsafe conditions to go undetected that might
result in an accident.
Type of Review: Extension.
Agency: Mine Safety and Health Administration .
Title: Record of Examination for Hazardous Conditions.
OMB Number: 1219-0083.
Affected Public: Business or other for-profit institutions.
Cite/Reference/Form/etc: 30 CFR 77.1713.
Total Respondents: 1,215.
Frequency: On occasion.
Total Responses: 411,885.
Average Time per Response: 1.5 hours.
Estimated Total Burden Hours: 617,828.
Estimated Total Burden Hour Cost: $32,417,434.
Estimated Total Burden Cost (capital/startup): $0.
Estimated 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.
Dated: August 18, 2000.
Brenda C. Teaster,
Acting Chief, Records Management Division.
[FR Doc. 00-21627 Filed 8-23-00; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4510-43-M
