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[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 121 (Wednesday, June 24, 1998)]
[Notices]
[Page 34486]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-16760]

[[Page 34486]]

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DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Mine Safety and Health Administration

Proposed Information Collection Request Submitted for Public 
Comment and Recommendations; Slope and Shaft Sinking Plans

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: The Department of Labor, as part of its continuing effort to 
reduce paperwork and respondent burden conducts and 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 Slope and Shaft Sinking Plans. 
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 August 24, 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: Theresa M. O'Malley, Program Analysis 
Officer, 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) 235-8378 (voice), 
or (703) 235-1563 (facsimile).

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Background

    The standard 77.1900 was enacted in 1971 and was amended in 1982 
and again in 1995. The standard requires coal mine operators to develop 
a prudent engineered design plan to develop a slope or shaft whenever 
an operator decides to open such a coal mine. The plan is required by 
the standard and is to be reviewed and approved by MSHA before the 
actual hazardous work begins.

II. Current Actions

    The average 25 slope or shaft development plans that MSHA receives 
on an annual basis, are reviewed to ensure that the required work is 
performed in a safe manner, and it protects those miners performing the 
work. Prudent engineering design does evolve along with improved 
machinery to perform the work, but there has not been any revision to 
the requirements for such a plan.
    Type of Review: Extension.
    Agency: Mine Safety and Health Administration.
    Title: Slope and Shaft Sinking Plans.
    OMB Number: 1219-0019.
    Agency Number: MSHA-208.
    Recordkeeping: 3 years.
    Agency Number: MSHA-208.
    Recordkeeping: Records are normally required to be kept for 3 
years.
    Affected Public: Business or other for-profit.
    Cite/Reference/Form/etc.: 30 CFR 77.1900.
    Total Respondents: 1,700.
    Frequency: Whenever an operator decides to develop a slope or 
shaft.
    Total Responses: 25.
    Average Time per Response: 40 hours.
    Estimated Total Burden Hours: 1,000.
    Total Burden Cost (capital/startup): $43,000.
    Total Burden Cost (operating/maintaining): $11,250.
    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: June 17, 1998.
Theresa M. O'Malley,
Acting Director, Program Evaluation and Information Resources.
[FR Doc. 98-16760 Filed 6-23-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4510-43-M
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