Federal Register / Vol. 65, No. 97 / Thursday, May 18, 2000 / Notices 31609

Total Burden Cost (operating/

maintenance): $0.

Application to Employ Homeworkers,

(WH–46), Piece Rate Measurements,

and Homeworker Handbook (WH–75)

I. Background

Section 11(d) of the Fair Labor

Standards Act (FLSA) authorizes the

Secretary of Labor to regulate, restrict,

or prohibit industrial homework as

necessary to prevent evasion of the

minimum requirements of the Act.

Restrictions exist on seven homework

industries, (knitted outerwear, women’s

apparel, jewelry manufacturing, gloves

and mittens, button and buckle

manufacturing, handkerchief

manufacturing, and embroideries).

Homework in these industries is

permitted only in certain hardship

cases. Homework is permitted under the

FLSA in all other industries, provided

the employer maintains homeworker

handbooks for such employees which

record hours of work and certain other

required payroll information. Further,

employers of homeworkers in certain

restricted industries must first obtain a

certification from the Department of

Labor authorizing the employment of

such workers. Employers in the

restricted industries under the

certification program who pay workers

based on piece rates must maintain

documentation of the work

measurements used to establish such

piece rates and the circumstances under

which measurements were conducted.

II. Review Focus

The Department of Labor 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.

III. Current Actions

The Department of Labor seeks the

extension of approval to collect this

information in order assure compliance

with the FLSA in homework

employment.

Type of Review: Extension.

Agency: Employment Standards

Administration.

Title: Application to Employ

Homeworkers.

OMB Number: 1215–0013.

Affected Public: Business or other forprofit; Individuals or households; Notfor-profit institutions.

Frequency: On occasion.

Reporting Burden:

Title Agency No. No. of

respondents

No. of

responses

Average

time per

response

Burden hours

Application To Employ Homeworkers ................................................ WH–46 71 36 30 min. 18

Homeworker Handbooks ................................................................... WH–75 4,684 18,736 30 min. 9,368

Recordkeeping Burden:

Title

No. of

recordkeepers

No. of

records

Average time

per response

Burden

hours

Piece Rate Measurement ........................................................................................ 71 213 601⁄2 min. 215

Homeworker Handbook ........................................................................................... 1,171 18,736 1⁄2 min. 156

Total Respondents (Recordkeeping

and Reporting): 4,755.

Total Annual Responses

(Recordkeeping and Reporting): 18,772.

Estimated Total Burden Hours

(Recordkeeping and Reporting): 9,757.

Total Burden Cost (capital/startup):

$0.

Total Burden Cost (operating/

maintenance): $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: May 12, 2000.

Margaret J. Sherrill,

Chief, Branch of Management Review and

Internal Control, Division of Financial

Management, Office of Management,

Administration and Planning, Employment

Standards Administration.

[FR Doc. 00–12506 Filed 5–17–00; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 4510–47–P

DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Mine Safety and Health Administration

Petitions for Modification

The following parties have filed

petitions to modify the application of

existing safety standards under section

101(c) of the Federal Mine Safety and

Health Act of 1977.

1. Freeman United Coal Mining

Company

[Docket No. M–2000–037–C]

Freeman United Coal Mining

Company, 1999 Wabash Avenue, Suite

200B, Springfield, Illinois 62704–5364

has filed a petition to modify the

application of 30 CFR 75.1909(b)(6) to

its Crown II Mine (I.D. No. 11–02236)

located in Macoupin County, Illinois.

The petitioner requests a modification

of the standard to permit a dieselpowered road grader to be operated

without front wheel brakes. The

petitioner proposes to operate its diesel

grader at a maximum speed of 10 miles

per hour, lower the grader blade (mold

board) to increase stopping capability in

emergencies, and provide training for

the grader operators on how to

recognize appropriate levels of speed for

31610 Federal Register / Vol. 65, No. 97 / Thursday, May 18, 2000 / Notices

different road and slope conditions. The

petitioner asserts that the proposed

alternative method would provide at

least the same measure of protection as

the existing standard.

2. Neumeister Coal Company

[Docket No. M–2000–038–C]

Neumeister Coal Company, 28 Frank

Lane, Ashland, Pennsylvania 17921 has

filed a petition to modify the

application of 30 CFR 49.2(b)

(availability of mine rescue teams) to its

#2 Slope Mine (I.D. No. 36–07166)

located in Schuylkill County,

Pennsylvania. The petitioner requests a

modification of the standard to permit

the reduction of two mine rescue teams

with five members and one alternate

each, to two mine rescue teams with

three members and one alternate for

either team. The petitioner asserts that

application of the existing standard

would result in a diminution of safety

to the miners and members of the rescue

team, and that the proposed alternative

method would provide at least the same

measure of protection as the existing

standard.

3. Tito Coal

[Docket No. M–2000–039–C]

Tito Coal, 118 Fairview Lane,

Williamstown, Pennsylvania 17098 has

filed a petition to modify the

application of 30 CFR 49.2(b)

(availability of mine rescue teams) to its

Whites Vein Slope (I.D. No. 36–06815)

located in Schuylkill County,

Pennsylvania. The petitioner requests a

modification of the standard to permit

the reduction of two mine rescue teams

with five members and one alternate

each, to two mine rescue teams with

three members and one alternate for

either team. The petitioner asserts that

application of the existing standard

would result in a diminution of safety

to the miners and members of the rescue

team, and that the proposed alternative

method would provide at least the same

measure of protection as the existing

standard.

4. Canyon Fuel Company, L.L.C.

[Docket No. M–2000–040–C]

Canyon Fuel Company, L.L.C., HC 35

Box 380, Helper, Utah 84526 has filed

a petition to modify the application of

30 CFR 75.350 (air courses and belt

haulage entries) to its Skyline Mine No.

3 (I.D. No. 42–01566) located in Carbon

County, Utah. The petitioner requests a

modification of the standard to permit

the belt entry to be used as the return

entry during two-entry longwall panel

development, and the operator the

option to use the belt haulage entry as

an intake entry for additional face

ventilation during longwall panel retreat

mining. The petitioner asserts that this

modification will provide maximum

protection for the miners during

longwall panel development and retreat

mining under adverse ground

conditions, multiple seam mining

conditions, and deep cover. Upon

granting of this petition, the petitioner

requests that the terms and conditions

contained in the Decision and Order not

apply in any panel during the period

from completion of development mining

of the two-entry longwall panel until the

beginning of the longwall equipment

set-up activities, and conditioned on the

conveyor belt in the two-entry panel not

being energized. The petitioner asserts

that during this time, all other existing

standards will apply. The petitioner

proposes to install a low-level carbon

monoxide or equivalent product of

combustion detection system in all

longwall panel belt entries used as an

intake or return air course and in the

primary intake entry. The petitioner

asserts that the proposed alternative

method would provide at least the same

measure of protection as the existing

standard and that application of the

existing standard would result in a

diminution of safety to the miners.

5. Canyon Fuel Company, L.L.C.

[Docket No. M–2000–041–C]

Canyon Fuel Company, L.L.C. has

filed a petition to modify the

application of 30 CFR 75.352 (return air

courses) to its Skyline Mine No. 3 (I.D.

No. 42–01566) located in Carbon

County, Utah. The petitioner requests a

modification of the standard to permit

the belt entry to be used as the return

entry during two-entry longwall panel

development, and to allow the operator

the option to use the belt haulage entry

as an intake entry for additional face

ventilation during longwall panel retreat

mining. The petitioner asserts that this

modification will provide maximum

protection for the miners during

longwall panel development and retreat

mining under adverse ground

conditions, multiple seam mining

conditions, and deep cover. Upon

granting of this petition, the petitioner

requests that the terms and conditions

contained in the Decision and Order not

apply in any panel during the period

from completion of development mining

of the two-entry longwall panel until the

beginning of the longwall equipment

set-up activities, and conditioned on the

conveyor belt in the two-entry panel not

being energized. The petitioner asserts

that during this time, all other existing

standards will apply. The petitioner

proposes to install a low-level carbon

monoxide or equivalent product of

combustion detection system in all

longwall panel belt entries used as an

intake or return air course and in the

primary intake entry. The petitioner

asserts that the proposed alternative

method would provide at least the same

measure of protection as the existing

standard, and that application of the

existing standard would result in a

diminution of safety to the miners.

6. Marfork Coal Company, Inc.

[Docket No. M–2000–042–C]

Marfork Coal Company, Inc., P.O. Box

457, Whitesville, West Virginia 25209

has filed a petition to modify the

application of 30 CFR 75.350 (air

courses and belt haulage entries) to its

Brushy Eagle Mine (I.D. No. 46–08315)

located in Raleigh County, West

Virginia. The petitioner requests a

modification of the standard to permit

the use of an automatic fire detection

system based on carbon monoxide

monitoring of the underground belt

conveyor entries. The petitioner

proposes to install a low-level carbon

monoxide monitoring system as an early

warning fire detection system in all belt

entries used to course intake air to a

working place. The petitioner asserts

that the proposed alternative method

would provide at least the same

measure of protection as the existing

standard.

7. Elk Run Coal Company, Inc.

[Docket No. M–2000–043–C]

Elk Run Coal Company, Inc., P. O.

Box 497, Sylvester, West Virginia 25193

has filed a petition to modify the

application of 30 CFR 75.1002 (location

of trolley wires, trolley feeder wires,

high-voltage cables and transformers) to

its Castle Mine (I.D. No. 46–08055)

located in Boone County, West Virginia.

The petitioner proposes to use

continuous mining machines with

nominal voltage of the power circuits

not to exceed 2,300 volts. The petitioner

asserts that its alternative method would

not result in a diminution of safety to

the miners, and would provide at least

the same measure of protection as the

existing standard.

8. Appalachian Eagle, Inc.

[Docket No. M–2000–044–C]

Appalachian Eagle, Inc., P.O. Box 751,

Bradley, West Virginia 25818–0772 has

filed a petition to modify the

application of 30 CFR 75.350 (air

courses and belt haulage entries) to its

Mine No. 1 (I.D. No. 46–05437) located

in Kanawha County, West Virginia. The

petitioner requests a modification of the

Federal Register / Vol. 65, No. 97 / Thursday, May 18, 2000 / Notices 31611

standard to permit the use of a carbon

monoxide monitoring system to monitor

belt air used in the face. The petitioner

proposes to use a carbon monoxide

monitoring system as an early warning

fire detection in all belt entries used to

course intake air to a working place. The

petitioner asserts that the proposed

alternative method would provide at

least the same measure of protection as

the existing standard.

9. Roberts Bros. Coal Company, Inc.

[Docket No. M–2000–045–C]

Roberts Bros. Coal Company, Inc., 660

B. John Hardy Road, Madisonville,

Kentucky 42431 has filed a petition to

modify the application of 30 CFR 75.701

(grounding metallic frames, casings, and

other enclosures of electric equipment)

to its Cardinal #2 Mine (I.D. No. 15–

17216) located in Hopkins County,

Kentucky. The petitioner proposes to

use a 200KW, 480-volt, diesel powered

generator set with an approved diesel

drive engine to move equipment in and

out of the mine and to perform rehab

work in areas outby section loading

points. The petitioner asserts that the

proposed alternative method would

provide at least the same measure of

protection as the existing standard.

Request for Comments

Persons interested in these petitions

are encouraged to submit comments via

e-mail to ‘‘comments@msha.gov,’’ or on

a computer disk along with an original

hard copy to the Office of Standards,

Regulations, and Variances, Mine Safety

and Health Administration, 4015

Wilson Boulevard, Room 627,

Arlington, Virginia 22203. All

comments must be postmarked or

received in that office on or before June

19, 2000. Copies of these petitions are

available for inspection at that address.

Dated: May 8, 2000.

Carol J. Jones,

Director, Office of Standards, Regulations,

and Variances.

[FR Doc. 00–12530 Filed 5–17–00; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 4510–43–P

DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Mine Safety and Health Administration

Petitions for Modification

The following parties have filed

petitions to modify the application of

existing safety standards under section

101(c) of the Federal Mine Safety and

Health Act of 1977.

1. Hopkins County Coal, LLC

[Docket No. M–2000–027–C]

Hopkins County Coal, LLC, P.O. Box

711, Madisonville, Kentucky 42431 has

filed a petition to modify the

application of 30 CFR 75.503

(permissible electric face equipment;

maintenance) to its Island Mine (I.D. No.

15–17515) located in Madisonville

County, Kentucky. The petitioner

proposes to use a spring-loaded device

with specific fastening characteristics

instead of a padlock to secure plugs and

electrical type connectors to batteries,

and to permissible mobile powered

equipment, to prevent the battery plugs

from accidentally separating from the

receptacle during normal operation of

battery equipment. The petitioner

asserts that the proposed alternative

method would provide at least the same

measure of protection as the existing

standard.

2. Elk Run Coal Company, Inc.

[Docket No. M–2000–028–C]

Elk Run Coal Company, Inc., P.O. Box

497, Sylvester, West Virginia 25193 has

filed a petition to modify the

application of 30 CFR 75.1002 (location

of trolley wires, trolley feeder wires,

high-voltage cables and transformers) to

its White Knight Mine (I.D. No. 46–

08055) located in Sylvester County,

West Virginia. The petitioner proposes

to use continuous mining machines

with nominal voltage of the power

circuits not to exceed 2,300 volts. The

petitioner asserts that its alternative

method would not result in a

diminution of safety to the miners and

would provide at least the same

measure of protection as the existing

standard.

3. B & B Anthracite Coal Company

[Docket No. M–2000–029–C]

B & B Anthracite Coal Company, 225

Main Street, Joliett, Pennsylvania 17981

has filed a petition to modify the

application of 30 CFR 49.2(b)

(availability of mine rescue teams) to its

Rock Ridge Slope Mine (I.D. No. 36–

07741) located in Schuylkill County,

West Virginia. The petitioner requests a

modification of the standard to permit

the reduction of two mine rescue teams

with five members and one alternate

each, to two mine rescue teams of three

members with one alternate for either

team. The petitioner asserts that

application of the existing standard

would result in a diminution of safety

to the miners and members of the rescue

team and that the proposed alternative

method would provide at least the same

measure of protection as the existing

standard.

4. West Ridge Resources, Inc.

[Docket No. M–2000–030–C]

West Ridge Resources, Inc., P.O. Box

902, Price, Utah 84501 has filed a

petition to modify the application of 30

CFR 75.500(d) (permissible electric

equipment)to its West Ridge Mine (I.D.

No. 42–02233) located in Carbon

County, Utah. The petitioner proposes

to use the following nonpermissible

low-voltage or battery powered

electronic testing and diagnostic

equipment inby the last open crosscut:

lap top computers, oscilloscopes,

vibration analysis machines, cable fault

detectors, point temperature probes,

infrared temperature devices and

recorders, pressure and flow

measurement devices, signal analyzer

devices, ultrasonic thickness gauges,

electronic component testers, electronic

tachometers and battery operated drills.

The petitioner has listed in this petition

for modification specific procedures

that would be followed when using this

equipment. The petitioner asserts that

the proposed alternative method would

provide at least the same measure of

protection as the existing standard.

5. Genwal Resources, Inc.

[Docket No. M–2000–031–C]

Genwal Resources, Inc., P.O. Box

1420, Huntington, Utah 84528 has filed

a petition to modify the application of

30 CFR 75.500(d) (permissible electric

equipment) to its Crandall Canyon Mine

(I.D. No. 42–01715) located in Carbon

County, Utah. The petitioner proposes

to use the following nonpermissible

low-voltage or battery powered

electronic testing and diagnostic

equipment inby the last open crosscut:

lap top computers, oscilloscopes,

vibration analysis machines, cable fault

detectors, point temperature probes,

infrared temperature devices and

recorders, pressure and flow

measurement devices, signal analyzer

devices, ultrasonic thickness gauges,

electronic component testers, electronic

tachometers and battery operated drills.

The petitioner has listed in this petition

for modification specific procedures

that would be followed when using this

equipment. The petitioner asserts that

the proposed alternative method would

provide at least the same measure of

protection as the existing standard.

6. Sidney Coal Company, Inc.

[Docket No. M–2000–032–C]

Sidney Coal Company, Inc., P.O. Box

299, Sidney, Kentucky 41564 has filed

a petition to modify the application of

30 CFR 75.350 (air courses and belt

haulage entries) to its Rockhouse Energy

Mining Company, Mine No. 1 (I.D. No.