Proposed Information Collection Request Submitted for Public Comment and Recommendations; Ventilation Plans, Tests, and Examinations in Underground Coal Mines

DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Mine Safety and Health Administration

Proposed Information Collection Request Submitted for Public

Comment and Recommendations; Ventilation Plans, Tests, and Examinations

in Underground Coal Mines

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 existing information collection

related to Ventilation Plans, Tests, and Examinations in Underground

Coal Mines. MSHA is particularly interested in comment 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 or responses.

A copy of the proposed information collection request can be

obtained by contracting the employee listed below in the For Further

Information Contact section of this notice.

DATES: Submit comments on or before December 30, 1997.

ADDRESSES: Send comments 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 [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 gfesak@gov (internet E-mail), (703)

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

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Background

Underground coal mines usually present harsh and hostile working

environments. The ventilation system is the most vital life support

system in underground mining and a properly operating ventilation

system is essential for maintaining a safe and healthful working

environment. Lack of adequate ventilation in underground mines has

resulted in fatalities from asphyxiation and explosions.

An underground mine is a maze of tunnels that must be adequately

ventilated with fresh air to provide a safe environment for miners.

Methane is liberated from the strata, and noxious gases and dusts from

blasting and other mining activities may be present. The explosive and

noxious gases and dusts must be diluted, rendered harmless, and carried

to the surface by the ventilating currents. Sufficient air must be

provided to maintain the level of respirable dust at or below 2

milligrams per cubic meter of air and air quality must be maintained in

accordance with MSHA standards. Mechanical ventilation equipment of

sufficient capacity must operate at all times while miners are in the

mine. Ground conditions are subject to frequent changes, thus

sufficient tests and examinations are necessary to ensure the integrity

of the ventilation system and to detect any changes that any require

adjustments in the system. Records of tests and examinations are

necessary to ensure that the ventilation system is being maintained and

that changes which could adversely affect the integrity of the system

or the safety of the miners are not occurring. These examinations

requirements of 75.360 through 75.364 also incorporate examinations of

other critical aspects of the underground work environment such as roof

conditions and electrical equipment which have historically cased

numerous fatalities if not properly maintained and operated.

II. Current Actions

MSHA is seeking to continue the requirements for mine mine

ventilation plans, tests and examinations in underground coal mines.

The records give notice to mine management and the miners on the

oncoming shift on mine conditions, identify hazards on working sections

during the previous shift, and verify that proper ventilation is being

maintained. The information is available to all interested persons at

the mine to assure them that the integrity of the ventilation system is

being provided for the miners. MSHA inspectors use the records to

determine that tests and examinations, required by the regulations, are

made.

Type of Review: Revision.

Agency: Mine Safety and Health Administration.

Title: Ventilation Plans, Tests, and Examinations in Underground

Coal Mines.

Affected Public Business or other for-profit.

Cite/Reference/Form/etc: 30 CFR 75.310, 75.312, 75.342, 75.351,

75.360, 75.361, 75.362, 75.363, 75.364, 75.370 and 75.382.

[[Page 58995]]

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Burden hour

30 CFR section Respondents Burden hours cost

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75.310.......................................................... 980 7,523 $195,598

75.312.......................................................... 980 99,739 $2,593,214

75.312(c)(d).................................................... 980 3,920 $101,920

75.312(g)....................................................... 980 620 $16,120

75.312(g)(2)(ii)................................................ 23 46 $1,196

75.342.......................................................... 980 10,515 $273,390

75.351(h)....................................................... 60 5,984 $155,584

75.360.......................................................... 980 1,470,667 $38,641,870

75.361.......................................................... 980 7,500 $195,000

75.362.......................................................... 980 642,744 25,709,760

75.363.......................................................... 980 10,224 319,514

75.364.......................................................... 980 410,884 10,767,544

75.370.......................................................... 554 38,226 $1,509,264

75.382.......................................................... 300 15,000 $390,000

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Total..................................................... 10,737 2,723,592 80,869,974

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Frequency: On occasion; quarterly.

Average Time per Response: Varies from 5 minutes for countersigning

preshift examinations to 16 hours for updating mine ventilation plans.

Total Burden Cost (capital/startup): $0.

Total Burden Cost (operating/maintaining): $194,256.

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: October 27, 1997.

George M. Fesak,

Director, Program Evaluation and Information Resource.

[FR Doc. 97-28918 Filed 10-30-97; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 4510-43-M