Proposed Information Collection Request Submitted for Public Comment and Recommendations; Product Testing by Applicant or Third Party

DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Mine Safety and Health Administration

Proposed Information Collection Request Submitted for Public

Comment and Recommendations; Product Testing by Applicant or Third

Party

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.

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

soliciting comments concerning the proposed extension of the

information collection related to ``Product Testing by Applicant or

Third Party.'' 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 submission of responses.

A copy of the proposed information collection request can be

obtained by contacting the person listed in the contact section of this

notice.

DATES: Submit comments on or before March 17, 1997.

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

Director, Office of Standards, Regulations, and Variances, U.S.

Department of Labor, Mine Safety and Health Administration, Office of

Standards, Regulations, and Variances, 4015 Wilson Boulevard,

Arlington, VA 22203-1984. Commenters are encouraged to send their

comments on a computer disk, or via E-mail to [email protected], 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 [email protected] (Internet E-mail),

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

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Background

Section 318 of the Federal Mine Safety and Health Act of 1977, 30

U.S.C. 878, defines ``permissible'' equipment as that which has been

approved according to specifications which are prescribed by the

Secretary of Labor. This approval indicates that the Mine Safety and

Health Administration's specifications and tests, designed to ensure

that a product will not present a fire, explosion, or other specific

safety hazard related to use, have been met. Additionally, 30 CFR Part

7 provides procedures whereby products may be tested and certified by

the applicant or a third party.

II. Current Actions

MSHA is seeking to continue the requirements for approving certain

products and equipment for use in underground mines.

Type of Review: Reinstatement.

Agency: Mine Safety and Health Administration.

Title: Product Testing by Applicant or Third Party.

OMB Number: 1219-0100.

Recordkeeping: 30 CFR 7.4(a) requires respondents to maintain

records of test results and procedures for a period of at least 3

years. Section 7.6(c) requires respondents to maintain records of the

initial sale of each unit having an approval marking for at least the

expected shelf life of and service life of the product.

Affected Public: Businesses or other for-profit.

Total Respondents: 392.

Frequency: On occasion.

Total Responses: 403 responses.

Average Time per Response: 0.54 hours.

Estimated Total Burden Hours: 219 hours.

Estimated Total Burden Cost: $52,547.

Comments submitted in response to this notice will be summarized

and 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 9, 1997.

George M. Fesak,

Director, Program Evaluation and Information Resources.

[FR Doc. 97-1100 Filed 1-15-97; 8:45 am]

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