Federal Register / Vol. 63, No. 80 / Monday, April 27, 1998 / Notices 20659

DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Mine Safety and Health Administration

Proposed Information Collection

Request Submitted for Public

Comment and Recommendations;

Applications for a Permit To Fire More

Than 20 Boreholes, for the Use of

Nonpermissible Blasting Units,

Explosives, and Shot-firing Units

ACTION: Notice.

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 application for a permit to

fire more than 20 boreholes, for the use

of nonpermissible blasting units, and for

the use of nonpermissible explosives

and nonpermissible shot-firing units,

and posting of warning notices with

regard to mis-fired explosives. 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.

DATES: Submit comments on or before

June 26, 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

psilvey@msha.gov, 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 gfesak@msha.gov

(Internet E-mail), (703) 235–8378

(voice), or (703) 235–1563 (facsimile).

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Background

Under Section 313 of the Federal

Mine Safety and Health Act of 1977

(Mine Act), 30 U.S.C. 873, a mine

operator is required to use permissible

explosives in underground coal mines.

The Mine Act also provides that under

safeguards prescribed by the Secretary

of Labor, a mine operator may permit

the firing of more than 20 shots and the

use of nonpermissible explosives in

sinking shafts and slopes from the

surface in rock. Title 30, CFR 75.1321

outlines the procedures by which a

permit may be issued for the firing of

more than 20 boreholes and/or the use

of nonpermissible shot-firing units in

underground coal mines. In those

instances in which there is a misfire of

explosives, 30 CFR 75.1327 requires that

a qualified person post each accessible

entrance to the affected area with a

warning to prohibit entry. Title 30 CFR

77.1909–1 outlines the procedures by

which a coal mine operator may apply

for a permit to use nonpermissible

explosives and/or shot-firing units in

the blasting of rock while sinking shafts

or slopes for underground coal mines.

II. Current Actions

Title 30, CFR 75.1321, 75.1327 and

77.1901–1 provide MSHA District

Managers with the authority to address

unusual but reoccurring blasting

practices needed for breaking rock types

more resilient than coal and for misfires

in blasting coal. MSHA uses the

information requested to issue permits

to mine operators or shaft and slope

contractors for the use of

nonpermissible explosives and/or shotfiring units under 30 CFR Part 77,

Subpart T—Slope and Shaft Sinking.

Similar permits are issued by MSHA to

underground coal mine operators for

shooting more than 20 bore holes and/

or for the use of nonpermissible shot

firing units when requested under 30

CFR Part 75, Subpart N—Explosives and

Blasting. The approved permits allow

the use of specific equipment and

explosives in limited applications and

under exceptional circumstances where

standard coal blasting techniques or

equipment is inadequate to the task.

These permits inform mine management

and the miners of the steps to be

employed to protect the safety of any

person exposed to such blasting while

using nonpermissible items. Also, the

posting of danger/warning signs at

entrances to locations where an misfired

blast hole or round remains indisposed

is a safety precaution predating the Coal

Mine Safety and Health Act.

Type of Review: Extension (without

change).

Agency: Mine Safety and Health

Administration.

Title: 30 CFR 75.1321, 75.1327, and

77.1909–1—Applications for a permit to

fire more than 20 boreholes, for the use

of nonpermissible blasting units, and for

the use of nonpermissible explosives

and nonpermissible shot-firing units,

and posting of warning notices with

regard to misfired explosives (pertains

to coal mining industry).

OMB Number: 1219–0025.

Affected Public: Business or other forprofit institutions.

Cite/Reference/Form/etc: 30 CFR

75.1321, 75.1327 and 77.1901–1.

Cite/reference Total

respondents Frequency Totalresponses

Average time

per

response

Burden

(hours)

75.1321 Permit Appl ..................................................................... 65 On Occasion .... 65 1 hour .......... 65

75.1327 Misfire Notices Posted .................................................... 120 On Occasion .... 120 20 minutes ... 40
20660 Federal Register / Vol. 63, No. 80 / Monday, April 27, 1998 / Notices

Cite/reference Total

respondents Frequency Totalresponses

Average time

per

response

Burden

(hours)

77.1909–1 Permit Appl ................................................................. 5 On Occasion .... 5 1 hour .......... 5

Totals ........................................................................................ .................... ........................... 190 ...................... 110

Total Burden Cost (capital/startup):

$0.

Total Burden Cost (operating/

maintaining): $755.

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: April 20, 1998.

George M. Fesak,

Director, Program Evaluation and Information

Resources.

[FR Doc. 98–11109 Filed 4–24–98; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 4510–47–M

DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Mine Safety and Health Administration

Proposed Information Collection

Request Submitted for Public

Comment and Recommendations;

Hazardous Condition Complaints

ACTION: Notice.

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 submission of hazardous

conditions complaints addressed in 30

CFR 43.2, 43.4, 43.7, and 43.8. 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.

DATES: Submit comments on or before

June 26, 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

psilvey@msha.gov, 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 gfesak@msha.gov

(Internet E-mail), (703) 235–8378

(voice), or (703) 235–1563 (facsimile).

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Background

Under Section 103(g) of the Federal

Mine Safety and Health Act of 1977

(Mine Act), 30 U.S.C. 813(g), a

representative of miners or any

individual miner may submit a written

notice of an alleged violation of the

Mine Act or mandatory health or safety

standard or an imminent danger

situation. Such notification requires

MSHA to make an immediate

inspection. A copy of the notice must be

provided to the operator.

Title 30, CFR part 43 implements

Section 103(g) of the Mine Act. The

regulations outline the procedures for

submitting notification of the alleged

violation and the actions which MSHA

must take after receiving the notice. If

MSHA determines that a special

inspection is not warranted, a written

notice of negative finding shall be

issued as soon as possible following the

determination. A miner or a

representative of miners has the option

of requesting in writing an information

review of MSHA’s decision that no

inspection is warranted or in those

instances where an MSHA inspector has

refused to issue a citation or order with

regard to the violation alleged to have

existed by the miner.

II. Current Actions

MSHA is required to conduct

inspections whenever and however

complaints of hazardous conditions are

made to the Agency by miners or

representatives of miners. This is an

Agency responsibility mandated by the

provisions of Section 103(g) of the Act

and implemented through the

provisions of 30 C.F.R. Part 43. MSHA

has minimized the paper work burden

by providing alternative toll free

telephone extensions for verbal and

anonymous complaints and providing

for the reduction of such complaints to

written format by agency personnel.

MSHA’s effectiveness in enforcing the

mandatory safety and health standards

is dependent in part on its ability to

provide a timely response to hazardous

condition complaints in order to retain

the confidence of miners and to

encourage compliance with health and

safety standards between the mandated,

periodic inspection events at

underground and surface mines and

mine facilities.

Type of Review: Revision (with

changes to include § 43.2 and 43.8).

Agency: Mine Safety and Health

Administration.

Title: Hazardous Conditions

Compliants—30 CFR § 43.2, 43.4, 43.7,

and 43.8.

OMB Number: 1219–0014.

Affected Public: Business or other forprofit institutions.