[Federal Register: April 4, 2000 (Volume 65, Number 65)]
[Notices]
[Page 17678-17679]
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DEPARTMENT OF LABOR
Mine Safety and Health Administration
Proposed Information Collection Request Submitted for Public
Comment and Recommendations; Notification of Methane Detected in Mine
Atmosphere
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.
DATES: Submit comments on or before June 5, 2000.
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. Ms. 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
Sections 103(c), (i), and (j) of the Federal Mine Safety and Health
Act of 1977 authorize the recordkeeping and reporting requirements
implemented in 30 CFR 57, Subpart T-Safety Standards for Methane in
Metal and Nonmetal mines. Methane is a flammable gas found in
underground mining. Methane is a colorless, odorless, tasteless gas,
and it tends to rise to the roof of a mine because it is lighter than
air. Although methane itself is nontoxic, its presence reduces the
oxygen content by dilution when mixed with air, and consequently can
act as an asphyxiant when present in large quantities. Methane mixed
with air is explosive in the range of 5 to 15 percent, provided that 12
percent or more oxygen is present. The presence of dust containing
volatile matter in the mine atmosphere may further enhance the
explosion potential of methane in a mine.
Metal and Nonmetal mine operators are required to notify MSHA as
soon as possible if any of the following events occur: (a) there is an
outburst that results in 0.25 percent or more methane in the mine
atmosphere; (b) there is a blowout that results in 0.25 percent or more
methane in the mine atmosphere; (c) there is an ignition of methane;
(d) air sample results indicate 0.25 percent or more methane in the
mine atmosphere of a Subcategory I-B, I-C, II-B, V-B, or Category VI
mine; If methane reaches 2.0 percent in a Category IV mine; or methane
reaches 0.25 percent in the mine atmosphere of a Subcategory I-B, II-B,
V-B, and VI mines, MSHA shall be notified immediately. MSHA
investigates the occurrence to determine that the mine is placed in the
proper category to follow appropriate precautionary standards.
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 Notification of Methane Detected
in Mine Atmospheres. 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;
[[Page 17679]]
* 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 then choosing "Statutory and Regulatory Information'' and
"Paperwork Reduction Act Submissions (http://www.msha.gov/
regspwork.htm) Compliance Assistance Information'', or by contacting
the employee listed above in the FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT
section of this notice for a hard copy.
III. Current Actions
MSHA is seeking an extension of the information collection related
to certification and notification of methane detected in mine
atmosphere.
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Total Total Average time per
Cite reference respondents Frequency responses response (hours) Burden hours\1\
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57.22004(c)................... 1 Annually......... 1 15 minutes....... 15 minutes.
57.22229(d) & 57.22230(b) and 7 Weekly........... 364 5 minutes........ 30 hours.
(c).
Inform miners................. 7 Annually......... 7 10 minutes....... 1 hour, 10
minutes.
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Total..................... 8 372 0.0860 minutes... 32 hours.
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\1\ Discrepancies due to rounding.