Proposed Information Collection Request Submitted for Public Comment and Recommendations; Mine Ventilation System Plan

DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Mine Safety and Health Administration

Proposed Information Collection Request Submitted for Public

Comment and Recommendations; Mine Ventilation System Plan

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 the Mine Ventilation System Plan.

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 For Better

Information Contact section of this notice.

dates: Submit comments on or before August 24, 1998.

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: Theresa M. O'Malley, Program Analysis

Officer, 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. Mrs. O'Malley can be

reached at [email protected] (Internet E-mail), (703) 235-1470 (voice),

or (703) 235-1563 (facsimile).

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Background

Underground mines 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.

II. Current Actions

A well planned mine ventilation system is necessary to ensure a

fresh air supply to miners at all working places, to control the

amounts of harmful airborne contaminants in the mine atmosphere, and to

dilute possible accumulation of explosive gases.

The standard requires mine operators to prepare a written plan of

the mine's ventilation system and to update the plan annually. The

purposes are to insure that each operator routinely plans, reviews, and

updates the plan; to insure the availability of accurate and correct

information; and to provide MSHA with the opportunity to alert the mine

operator to potential hazards.

Type of Review: Extension.

Agency: Mine Safety and Health Administration.

Title: Mine Ventilation System Plan.

OMB Number: 1219-0016.

Agency Number: MSHA 401.

Recordkeeping: 1 year.

Affected Public: Business or other for-profit.

Cite/Reference/Form/etc: 30 CFR 57.8520.

Total Respondents: 240.

Frequency: Annually.

Total Responses: 240.

Average Time per Response: 24 hours.

Estimated Total Burden Hours: 5,760.

Total Burden Cost (capital/startup): 0.

Total Burden Cost (operating/maintaining): $46,080.00.

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: June 17, 1998.

Theresa M. O'Malley,

Acting Director, Program Evaluation and Information Resources.

[FR Doc. 98-16758 Filed 6-23-98; 8:45 am]

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