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

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 [email protected], 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 [email protected] (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.

A copy of the proposed information collection request can be

obtained by contacting the employee listed below in the contact

section.

II. Current Actions

MSHA is seeking to continue the requirement for a regular fan

maintenance schedule to assure an uninterrupted supply of air in the

mine.

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.

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: January 5, 2000.

George M. Fesak,

Director, Program Evaluation and Information Resources.

[FR Doc. 00-718 Filed 1-11-00; 8:45 am]

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