Proposed Information Collection Request Submitted for Public Comment and Recommendations; Training of Mine Rescue Teams; Notice

DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Mine Safety and Health Administration

Proposed Information Collection Request Submitted for Public

Comment and Recommendations; Training of Mine Rescue Teams; Notice

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.

Currently, the Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) is

soliciting comments concerning the proposed reinstatement of the

information collection related to the Training of Mine Rescue Teams.

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 Addressee

section of this notice.

DATES: Submit comments on or before September 17, 1996..

ADDRESSES: Written comments shall be mailed to Patricia W. Silvey,

Director, Office of Standards, Regulations, and Variances, 4015 Wilson

Boulevard, Room 627, Arlington, VA 22203-1984. Commenters are

encouraged to send their comments on a computer disk, or via E-mail to

psilveymsha.gov, along with an original printed copy. Ms. Silvey can be

reached at (703) 235-1910 (voice) or 703 235-5551 (facsimile).

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

George M. Fesak, Director, Office of Program Evaluation and Information

Resources, U.S. Department of Labor, Mine Safety and Health

Administration, Room 715, 4015 Wilson Boulevard, Arlington, VA 22203-

1984. Mr. Fesak can be reached at gfesakmsha.gov (Internet E-mail),

(703) 235-8378 (voice), or 703 235-1563 (facsimile).

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Background

Congress considered the ready availability of mine rescue in the

event of an accident to be vital protection to miners. The concern was

that, too often in the past, rescue efforts at a disaster site have had

to await the delayed arrival of skilled mine rescue teams. In

responding to the direction of Congress, MSHA promulgated 30 CFR 49,

Mine Rescue Teams. The regulations covered the required availability of

mine rescue teams; alternate mine rescue capability for small and

remote mines and special mining conditions; inspection and maintenance

records of mine rescue equipment and apparatus; physical requirements

for team members and alternates; and experience and training

requirements for team members and alternates.

II. Current Actions

Standard 49.8 requires that prior to serving on a mine rescue team,

each member must complete an initial 20-hour course of instruction in

the use, care, and maintenance of the type of breathing apparatus which

will be used by the mine rescue team. In addition, all team members are

required to receive 40 hours of refresher training annually. A record

of the training received by each mine rescue team member is required to

be on file at the mine rescue station for a period of one year.

The purpose of the regulation is to assure that mine rescue teams

will be properly trained in all phases of mine rescue work, including

all conditions that might be encountered in the event of an actual

emergency.

Type of Review: Reinstatement (without change).

Agency: Mine Safety and Health Administration.

Title: Training of Mine Rescue Teams.

OMB Number: 1219-0077.

Recordkeeping: One year.

Affected Public: Business or other for-profit.

[[Page 37771]]

Cite/Reference/Form/etc.: 30 CFR 49.8.

Total Respondents: 800.

Frequency: On occasion.

Total Responses: 7,200.

Average Time per Response: 0.25 hours.

Estimated Total Burden Hours: 1,800 hours.

Estimated Total Burden Cost: 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: July 15, 1996.

George M. Fesak,

Director, Program Evaluation and Information Resources.

[FR Doc. 96-18378 Filed 7-18-96; 8:45 am]

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