skip navigational linksDepartment of Labor Seal U.S. Department of Labor
Mine Safety and Health Administration
Protecting Miners' Safety and Health Since 1978		 Photos representing the mining workforce
www.msha.gov
[skip navigational links] Search MSHA Advanced Options | A to Z | Help
Find It! in DOL | Compliance Assistance |    
[Federal Register: April 17, 2003 (Volume 68, Number 74)]
[Notices]
[Page 19034-19035]

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF LABOR
Mine Safety and Health Administration

Proposed Information Collection Request Submitted for Public Comment and Recommendations; Safety Standards for Roof Bolts in Metal and Nonmetal Mines and Underground Coal Mines

ACTION: Notice.

SUMMARY: The Department of Labor, as part of its continuing effort to reduce paperwork and respondent burden conducts a pre-clearance 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 30 CFR sections 56.3203(a), 57.3203(a), and 75.204(a); Safety Standards for Roof Bolts in Metal and Nonmetal Mines and Underground Coal Mines.

DATES: Submit comments on or before June 16, 2003.

ADDRESSES: Send comments to Jane Tarr, Management Analyst, Administration and Management 1100 Wilson Boulevard, Room 2171, Arlington, VA 22209-3939. Commenters are encouraged to send their comments on computer disk, or via Internet E-mail to Tarr.Jane@dol.gov. Ms. Tarr can be reached at (202) 693-9824 (voice), or (202) 693-9801 (facsimile).

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Jane Tarr, Management Analyst, Records Management Group, U.S. Department of Labor, Mine Safety and Health Administration, Room 2171, 1100 Wilson Boulevard, Arlington, VA 22209- 3939. Ms. Tarr can be reached at Tarr.Jane@dol.gov (Internet E-mail), (202) 693-9824 (voice), or (202) 693-9801 (facsimile).

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Background

     30 CFR 56/57.3203 and 75.204 address the quality of rock fixtures and their installation. Roof and rock bolts and accessories are an integral part of ground control systems and are used to prevent the fall of roof, face, and ribs. These standards require that metal and nonmetal and coal mine operators obtain a certification from the manufacturer that rock bolts and accessories are manufactured and tested in accordance with the 1995 American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) publication ``Standard Specification for Roof and Rock Bolts and Accessories'' (ASTM F432-95).

II. Desired Focus of Comments

     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 in the FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT section of this notice, or viewed on the Internet by accessing the MSHA Home page (http://www.msha.gov) and then choosing ``Statutory and Regulatory Information'' and ``Federal Register Documents.''

III. Current Actions

     MSHA is seeking to continue the requirement for mine operators to obtain certification from the manufacturer that roof and rock bolts and accessories are manufactured and tested in accordance with the applicable American Society for testing and Materials (ASTM) specifications and make that certification available to an authorized representative of the Secretary.
    Type of Review: Extension.
    Agency: Mine Safety and Health Administration.
    Title: Safety Standards for Roof Bolts in Metal and Nonmetal Mines and Underground Coal Mines.
    OMB Number: 1219-0121.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                                  Avg. time/response
                       Section                         Total respondents       Frequency        Total responses          (hrs)           Burden hours
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
56/57.3203(a); M/NM Surface.........................                  20         On Occasion                  40                0.05                   2
M/NM Underground....................................                 180         On Occasion                 720                0.05                  36
75.204(a); Coal Underground.........................                 893         On Occasion               3,572                0.05                 179
                                                     ---------------------
    Total...........................................               1,093  ..................               4,332  ..................                 217
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Frequency: On Occasion.
    Affected Public: Business or other for-profit.
    Respondents: 1,093.
    Estimated Time Per Respondent: .2 hours.
    Total Burden Hours: 217 hours.
    Total Burden Cost (capital/startup): $0.
    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 at Arlington, Virginia, this third day of April, 2003.
David L. Meyer,
Director, Office of Administration and Management.
[FR Doc. 03-9446 Filed 4-16-03; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 4510-43-P



Back to Top   Back to Top www.msha.gov www.dol.gov
Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA)
1100 Wilson Boulevard, 21st Floor
Arlington, VA 22209-3939		 Phone:    (202) 693-9400
Fax-on-demand: (202) 693-9401
Technical (web) questions: Webmaster
On-line Filing Help: MSHAhelpdesk@dol.gov
or call (877) 778-6055
Contact Us