Proposed Information Collection Request Submitted for Public Comment and Recommendations; Hoist Operators Physical Fitness; and Physical Requirements for Mine Rescue Teams and Man Hoist Operators

DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Mine Safety and Health Administration

Proposed Information Collection Request Submitted for Public

Comment and Recommendations; Hoist Operators Physical Fitness; and

Physical Requirements for Mine Rescue Teams and Man Hoist Operators

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 Hoist Operators Physical Fitness;

and Physical Requirements for 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 FOR FURTHER

INFORMATION CONTACT section of this notice.

[[Page 51961]]

DATES: Submit comments on or before November 30, 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:

Mrs. Theresa O'Malley, Program Analysis Office, 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

Title 30 CFR Sections 56.19057 and 57.19057 require the annual

certification of hoist operator's fitness. The safety of all metal and

nonmetallic miners riding hoist conveyances is dependent upon the

attentiveness and physical capabilities of the hoist operators,

especially in emergency evacuations. Improper movements, overspeed, and

overtravel of a hoisting conveyance can result in serious physical harm

or death to all passengers. Unlike other industries, the hazards of

mining are not reduced in small operations because of the volume of

material to be processed and the heavy equipment used. This precludes

making exceptions to safety standards for small mines in order to

reduce the burden imposed by the standard. However, small mine

operators are likely to have fewer hoist operators.

Section 49.7(a) requires each mine rescue team member to be

examined annually by a physician who shall certify that he/she is

physically fit to perform mine rescue and recovery work for a prolonged

period under extreme conditions. Small operators are not exempt from

the requirement for a medical examination for mine rescue personnel;

however, they are allowed to provide an approved alternative mine

rescue capability.

II. Current Actions

Title 30 CFR Sections 56.19057 and 57.19057 require the annual

certification of hoist operator's fitness. The safety of all metal and

nonmetallic miners riding hoist conveyance is dependent upon the

attentiveness and physical capabilities of the hoist operators,

especially during emergency evacuations. Improper movements, overspeed,

and overtravel of a hoisting conveyance can result in serious physical

harm or death to all passengers. Small mine operators are likely to

have fewer hoist operators.

Section 49.7(a) requires each member of a mine rescue team to be

examined annually by a physician who shall certify that he/she is

physically fit to perform mine rescue and recovery work for a prolonged

period under strenuous conditions.

Type of Review: Extension.

Agency: Mine Safety and Health Administration.

Title: Record of all Certified and Qualified Persons; Hoist

Operators Physical Fitness; and Physical Requirements for Mine Rescue

Teams.

OMB Number: 1219-0049.

Agency Number: MSHA 221.

Record keeping: At least one year from the time that certification

is obtained.

Affected Public: Business or other for-profit Cite/Reference/Form:

30 CFR 56/57.19057 and 30 CFR 49.7.

Total Respondents: 1.154.

Frequency: On occasion.

Total Responses: 18,206.

Averge Time per Response: 50 minutes.

Estimated Total Burden Hours: 1,511.

Total Burden Cost (capital/startup): None.

Total Burden Cost (operating/maintaining): $5,277,703.

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: September 24, 1998.

George M. Fesak,

Director, Program Evaluation and Information Resources.

[FR Doc. 98-25999 Filed 9-28-98; 8:45 am]

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