[Federal Register: January 12, 2000 (Volume 65, Number 8)]
[Notices]

[Page 1913]

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DEPARTMENT OF LABOR
Mine Safety and Health Administration

Proposed Information Collection Request Submitted for Public Comment and Recommendations; Main Fan Maintenance Record

AGENCY: Notice.

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SUMMARY: The Department of Labor, as part of its continuing efforts 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.

DATES: Submit comments on or before March 13, 2000.

ADDRESSES: Send comments to Diane B. Hill, 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 Hill.Diane@dol.gov, along with an original printed copy. Ms. Hill can be reached at (703) 235-1470 (voice), or (703) 235-1563 (facsimile).

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Diane B. Hill, 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. Ms. Hill can be reached at Hill.Diane@dol.gov (Internet E-mail), (703) 235-1470 (voice), or (703) 235-1563 (facsimile).

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Background

  Title 30 CFR 57.8525 requires that main fans be maintained according to either manufacturers' recommendations or a written periodic schedule adopted by the mine operator. The main fans are the major life support system to the entire underground mining operation. The air flow provided by the fans assures fresh air to the miners at working faces, reduces the chance of the air reaching threshold limit values of airborne contaminants, and dilutes accumulations of possible explosive gases.

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 Main Fan Maintenance Record. 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.

Type of Review: Extension.
Agency: Mine Safety and Health Administration.
Title: Main Fan Maintenance Record.
OMB Number: 1219-0012.
Affected Public: Business or other for-profit.
Cite/Reference/Form/etc: 30 CFR 57.8525.
Total Respondents: 21.
Frequency: Annually.
Total Responses: 7.
Average Time per Response: 1.57 hours.
Estimated Total Burden Hours: 11 hours.
Total Annualized Capital/Startup Costs: None.
Total Operation and Maintenance Costs: None.