[Federal Register Volume 77, Number 182 (Wednesday, September 19, 2012)]
[Notices]
[Pages 58170-58172]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2012-23010]
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DEPARTMENT OF LABOR
Mine Safety and Health Administration
[OMB Control No. 1219-0054]
Proposed Renewal of Existing Information Collection; Fire
Protection (Underground Coal Mines)
AGENCY: Mine Safety and Health Administration, Labor.
ACTION: Request for public comments.
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SUMMARY: The Department of Labor, as part of its continuing effort to
reduce paperwork and respondent burden, conducts a pre-clearance
consultation program to provide the general public and Federal agencies
with an opportunity to comment on proposed and continuing collections
of information in accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995.
This program helps to assure 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 is
soliciting comments concerning the extension of the information
collection for 30 CFR 75.1100-3, 75.1103-5(a)(2)(ii), 75.1103-8(b) and
(c), 75.1103-11, 75.1501(a)(3), and 75.1502(a) and (b). OMB last
approved this information collection request on January 8, 2010. The
package expires on January 31, 2013.
DATES: All comments must be postmarked or received by midnight Eastern
Time on November 19, 2012.
ADDRESSES: Comments concerning the information collection requirements
of this notice must be clearly identified with ``OMB 1219-0054'' and
sent to both the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) and the Mine
Safety and Health Administration (MSHA). Comments to MSHA may be sent
by any of the methods listed below.
Federal E-Rulemaking Portal: http://www.regulations.gov.
Follow the on-line instructions for submitting comments.
Facsimile: 202-693-9441, include ``OMB 1219-0054'' in the
subject line of the message.
Regular Mail or Hand Delivery: MSHA, Office of Standards,
Regulations, and Variances, 1100 Wilson Boulevard, Room 2350,
Arlington, VA 22209-3939. For hand delivery, sign in at the
receptionist's desk on the 21st floor.
Comments to OMB may be sent by mail addressed to the Office of
[[Page 58171]]
Information and Regulatory Affairs, Office of Management and Budget,
New Executive Office Building, 725 17th Street NW., Washington, DC
20503, Attn: Desk Officer for MSHA.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Greg Moxness, Chief, Economic Analysis
Division, Office of Standards, Regulations, and Variances, MSHA, at
[email protected] (email); 202-693-9440 (voice); or 202-693-9441
(facsimile).
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
I. Background
Fire protection standards for underground coal mines are based on
section 311(a) of the Federal Mine Safety and Health Act of 1977 (Mine
Act). 30 CFR 75.1100 requires that each coal mine be provided with
suitable firefighting equipment adapted for the size and conditions of
the mine, and that the Secretary of Labor shall establish minimum
requirements of the type, quality, and quantity of such equipment. 30
CFR 75.1100-3 requires that chemical fire extinguishers be examined
every 6 months and that the date of the examination be recorded on a
permanent tag attached to the extinguisher.
30 CFR 75.1103-5(a)(2)(ii) requires that a map or schematic be
updated within 24 hours of any change in the locations of automatic
fire warning sensors and the intended air flow direction at these
locations. This map or schematic would be kept at a manned surface
location where personnel have an assigned post of duty. This provision
is added to this information collection from 1219-0145.
30 CFR 75.1103-8(a) requires that a qualified person examine the
automatic fire sensor and warning device systems on a weekly basis and
conduct a functional test of the complete system at least once every
seven days. Section 75.1103-8(b) requires that a record of the weekly
automatic fire sensor functional tests be maintained by the mine
operator and kept for a period of one year. 30 CFR 75.1103-8(c)
requires that sensors be calibrated in accordance with the
manufacturer's calibration instructions at intervals not to exceed 31
days. Records of the sensor calibrations must be maintained by the
operator and kept for a period of one year. These last two provisions
are added to this information collection from 1219-0145.
30 CFR 75.1103-11 requires that each fire hydrant and hose be
tested at least once a year and the records of those tests be
maintained at an appropriate location.
30 CFR 75.1501(a)(3) requires the operator to certify that each
responsible person is trained and that the certification is maintained
at the mine for at least one year.
30 CFR 75.1502 requires each mine operator to adopt and follow a
mine evacuation and firefighting program of instruction that addresses
all mine emergencies created as a result of a fire, an explosion, or a
gas or water inundation. In addition, this section requires mine
operators to submit this program of instruction, and any revisions, to
MSHA for its approval and to train miners regarding the use of the
program of instruction, and any revisions to such program of
instruction, after it is approved by MSHA.
This information collection addresses the recordkeeping associated
with:
75.1100-3......................................... Condition and
examination of fire
fighting equipment.
75.1103-5(a)(2)(ii)............................... Automatic fire
warning devices;
actions and
response.
75.1103-8(b) & (c)................................ Automatic fire
sensor and warning
device systems;
examination and
test requirements.
75.1103-11........................................ Tests of fire
hydrants and fire
hose; record of
tests.
75.1501(a)(3)..................................... Emergency
evacuations.
75.1502(a) & (b).................................. Mine emergency
evacuation and
firefighting
program of
instruction.
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II. Desired Focus of Comments
The Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) is soliciting
comments concerning the proposed extension of the information
collection related to this safety standard on records of fire
protection in underground coal mines. MSHA is particularly interested
in comments that:
Evaluate whether the collection of information is
necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the agency,
including whether the information has practical utility;
Evaluate the accuracy of the MSHA's estimate of the burden
of the collection of information, including the validity of the
methodology and assumptions used;
Suggest methods to enhance the quality, utility, and
clarity of the information to be collected; and
Address 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) to minimize the burden of the collection of information on
those who are to respond.
The public may examine publicly available documents, including the
public comment version of the supporting statement, at MSHA, Office of
Standards, Regulations, and Variances, 1100 Wilson Boulevard, Room
2350, Arlington, VA 22209-3939. OMB clearance requests are available on
MSHA's Web site at http://www.msha.gov under ``Rules & Regs'' on the
right side of the screen by selecting Information Collections Requests,
Paperwork Reduction Act Supporting Statements. The document will be
available on MSHA's Web site for 60 days after the publication date of
this notice. Comments submitted in writing or in electronic form will
be made available for public inspection. Because comments will not be
edited to remove any identifying or contact information, MSHA cautions
the commenter against including any information in the submission that
should not be publicly disclosed. Questions about the information
collection requirements may be directed to the person listed in the FOR
FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT section of this notice.
III. Current Actions
The information obtained from mine operators is used by MSHA during
inspections to determine compliance with safety and health standards.
MSHA has updated the data with respect to the number of respondents and
responses, as well as the total burden hours and burden costs
supporting this information collection extension request.
Summary
Type of Review: Extension.
Agency: Mine Safety and Health Administration.
Title: Fire Protection (Underground Coal Mines).
OMB Number: 1219-0054.
Affected Public: Business or other for-profit.
Cite/Reference/Form/etc: 30 CFR 75.1100-3, 75.1103-5(a)(2)(ii),
75.1103-8(b) and (c), 75.1103-11, 75.1501(a)(3), and 75.1502(a) and
(b).
Total Number of Respondents: 549.
Frequency: Various.
Total Number of Responses: 294,618.
[[Page 58172]]
Total Burden Hours: 54,809 hours.
Total Annual Cost Burden: $693.
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.
Authority: 44 U.S.C. 3506(c)(2)(A).
Dated: September 13, 2012.
George F. Triebsch,
Certifying Officer.
[FR Doc. 2012-23010 Filed 9-18-12; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4510-43-P