Proposed Information Collection Request Submitted for Public Comment and Recommendations; Safety Defects, Examination, Correction and Records

DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Mine Safety and Health Administration

Proposed Information Collection Request Submitted for Public

Comment and Recommendations; Safety Defects, Examination, Correction

and Records

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 Safety Defects, Examination,

Correction and Records. 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 others 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.

DATES: Submit comments on or before April 28, 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:

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

Title 30 CFR Sections 56.13015 and 57.13015 require compressed-air

receivers and other unfired pressure vessels be inspected by inspectors

holding a valid National Board Commission and in accordance with the

applicable chapters of the National Board Inspection Code, a manual for

Boiler and Pressure Vessels Inspectors, 1979. Safety defects found on

compressed-air receivers and other unfired pressure vessels could cause

injuries and fatalities in the mining industry. Records of inspections

are kept in accordance with the requirements of the National Board

Inspection Code and the records are made available to the Secretary or

his authorized representative.

Title 30 CFR Sections 56.13030 and 57.13030 require that fired

pressure vessels (boilers) be equipped with safety devices approved by

the American Society of Mechanical Engineers to protect against hazards

from overpressure, flameouts, fuel interruptions and low water level.

These sections also require that records of inspection and repairs be

retained by the mine operator in accordance with the requirements of

the ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code and the National Board

Inspection Code (progressive records--no limit on retention time) and

shall be made available to the Secretary or his authorized

representative.

Title 30 CFR Sections 56.14100 and 57.14100 require equipment

operators to inspect equipment, machinery, and tools that are to be

used during a shift for safety defects before the equipment is placed

in operation. Defects affecting safety are required to be corrected in

a timely manner. In instances where the defect makes continued

operation of the equipment unsafe, the standards require removal from

service, tagging to identify that it is out of use, and repair before

use is resumed.

Title 30 CFR Sections 56.18002 and 57.180002 require that a

competent person designated by the operator shall examine each working

place at least once each shift for conditions which may adversely

affect safety or health. A record of such examinations shall be kept by

the operator for a period of one year and shall be made available for

review by the Secretary or his authorized representative.

II. Current Actions

The records are used by industry management and maintenance

personnel to ensure that defects are not overlooked, that repairs are

made, and to monitor when and how often maintenance is performed on

certain equipment. Additionally, the inspection records denote any

hazards that were discovered and how the hazards or unsafe conditions

were abated. Federal inspectors use the records to ensure that unsafe

conditions are identified early and corrected.

Type of Review: Extension.

Agency: Mine Safety and Health Administration.

Title: Safety Defects, Examination, Correction and Records.

OMB Number: 1219-0089.

Affected Public: Business of other for-profit.

[[Page 10047]]

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Average

Total Total time per Burden

Cite/reference respondents Frequency responses response hours

(minutes)

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56/57.13015...................... 1,745 Annually................ 1,745 10 291

56/57.13030...................... 3,140 Annually................ 3,140 10 524

56/57.14100...................... 11,000 Daily................... 10,522,828 5 876,902

56/57.18002...................... 11,000 Daily................... 2,738,630 12 547,726

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Totals..................... ........... ........................ 13,266,343 ......... 1,425,443

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Estimated Total Burden Cost: $37,061,518.

Total Burden Cost (capital/startup): 0.

Total Burden Cost (operating/maintaining): 0.

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: February 24, 1998.

George M. Fesak,

Director, Program Evaluation and Information Resources.

[FR Doc. 98-5117 Filed 2-26-98; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 4510-43-M