[Federal Register Volume 70, Number 203 (Friday, October 21, 2005)]
[Notices]
[Pages 61314-61315]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 05-21064]


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DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Mine Safety and Health Administration


Proposed Information Collection Request; Submitted for Public 
Comment and Recommendations; Approval, Exhaust Gas Monitoring, and 
Safety Requirements for the Use of Diesel-Powered Equipment in 
Underground Coal Mines

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 pre-clearance 
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)(c)(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 extension of the information 
collection related to the 30 CFR: 7.83 and 7.97--Application 
Requirements; 7.90 and 7.105--Approval Markings; 75.363--Hazardous 
Conditions; Posting Correction, and Recording; 75.371(r), (kk), (ll), 
(mm), (nn), (oo), and (pp)--Mine Ventilation Plan, Contents; 
75.1901(a)--Diesel Fuel Requirements; 75.1904(b)(4)(i)--Underground 
Diesel Fuel Tanks and Safety Cans; 75.1911(i) and (j)--Fire Suppression 
Systems for Diesel-Powered Equipment and Fuel Transportation Units; 
75.1912(h) and (i)--Fire Suppression Systems for Permanent Underground 
Diesel Fuel Storage Facilities; 75.1914(f)(1), (2), (g)(5),(h)(1), and 
(2)--Maintenance of Diesel-Powered Equipment; and 75.1915(a),(b)(5), 
(c)(1) and (2)--Training and Qualification of Persons Working on 
Diesel-Powered Equipment.

DATES: Submit comments on or before December 20, 2005.

ADDRESSES: Send comments to U.S. Department of Labor, Mine Safety and 
Health Administration, John Rowlett, Director, Management Services 
Division, 1100 Wilson Boulevard, Room 2134, Arlington, VA 22209-3939. 
Commenters are encouraged to send their comments on a computer disk, or 
via e-mail to <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#ca98a5bda6afbebee480a5a2a48aaea5a6e4ada5bc"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="8edce1f9e2ebfafaa0c4e1e6e0ceeae1e2a0e9e1f8">[email protected]</span></a>, along with an original printed 
copy. Mr. Rowlett can be reached at (202) 693-9827 (voice), or (202) 
693-9801 (facsimile).

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION: Contact the employee listed in the ADDRESSES 
section of this notice.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Background

    The regulation addresses three major areas: diesel engine design 
and testing requirements; safety standards for the maintenance and use 
of this equipment; and exhaust gas sampling provisions to protect 
miners' health. It first requires that diesel engines and their 
critical components meet design specifications and tests to demonstrate 
that they are explosion-proof and will not cause a fire in a mine where 
methane may accumulate. Second, the safety requirements for diesel 
equipment include many of the proven features required in existing 
standards for electric-powered equipment, such as cabs or canopies, 
methane monitors, brakes and lights. The regulation also sets safety 
requirements for fuel handling and storage and fire suppression. Third, 
sampling of diesel exhaust emissions is required to protect miners from 
overexposure to carbon monoxide and nitrogen dioxide contained in 
diesel exhaust.

II. Desired Focus of Comments

    Currently, the Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) is 
soliciting comments concerning the proposed extension of the 
information collection requirement related to the approval, exhaust gas 
monitoring and safety requirements for the use of diesel-powered 
equipment in underground coal mines. MSHA is particularly interested in 
comments that:
    <bullet> Evaluate whether the proposed collection of information is 
necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the agency, 
including

[[Page 61315]]

whether the information will have practical utility;
    <bullet> 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;
    <bullet> Enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the 
information to be collected; and
    <bullet> 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 in the For Further 
Information Contact section of this notice, or viewed on the Internet 
by accessing the MSHA home page (http://www.msha.gov) and then choosing 
``Rules and Regs'' and ``FedReg. Docs''.

III. Current Actions

    Provisions under part 7 provide that manufacturers submit 
applications to demonstrate compliance with the test and specification 
requirements. In part 75, they establish mandatory safety standards for 
diesel-powered equipment for use in underground coal mines, minimum 
ventilating air quantities, the incorporation of the air quantities 
into the mine ventilation plan, requirements for routine sampling of 
toxic exhaust gases, and the use of low sulfur diesel fuel. It also 
provides that diesel equipment maintenance be performed by adequately 
trained persons. In addition, the regulation includes standards for 
storage, transportation and dispensing of diesel fuel, and the 
installation and maintenance of fire suppression systems on diesel 
equipment and in permanent underground fuel storage facilities.
    Type of Review: Extension.
    Agency: Mine Safety and Health Administration.
    Title: Approval, Exhaust Gas Monitoring, and Safety Requirements 
for the Use of Diesel-Powered Equipment in Underground Coal Mines.
    OMB Number: 1219-0119.
    Frequency: On Occasion.
    Affected Public: Business or other for-profit.
    Total Respondents: 181.
    Total Responses: 147,567.
    Total Burden Hours: 137,675.
    Total Burden Cost (operating/maintaining): $349,888.
    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 at Arlington, Virginia, this 14th day of October, 2005.
David L. Meyer,
Director, Office of Administration and Management.
[FR Doc. 05-21064 Filed 10-20-05; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4510-43-P


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