[Federal Register Volume 75, Number 179 (Thursday, September 16, 2010)]
[Notices]
[Pages 56558-56560]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2010-23086]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF LABOR
Mine Safety and Health Administration
Proposed Information Collection Request Submitted for Public
Comment and Recommendations; Safety Defects; Examination, Correction
and Records, 30 CFR 56/57.14100, 56/57.13015, 56/57.13030, and 56/
57.18002 (Pertains to Metal and Nonmetal (M/NM) Surface and Underground
Mines)
ACTION: Notice.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
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 [44 U.S.C. 3506(c)(2)(A)]. This program
[[Page 56559]]
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 (MSHA) is
soliciting comments concerning the extension of the information
collection for Safety Defects; Examination, Correction and Records, 30
CFR 56/57.14100, 56/57.13015, 56/57.13030, and 56/57.18002.
DATES: All comments must be received by midnight Eastern Daylight
Saving Time on November 15, 2010.
ADDRESSES: Comments must clearly be identified with the rule title and
may be submitted to MSHA by any of the following methods:
(1) Electronic mail: [email protected].
(2) Facsimile: (202) 693-9441.
(3) Regular Mail: MSHA, Office of Standards, Regulations, and
Variances, 1100 Wilson Blvd., Room 2350, Arlington, VA 22209-3939.
(4) Hand Delivery or Courier: MSHA, Office of Standards,
Regulations, and Variances, 1100 Wilson Blvd., Room 2350, Arlington, VA
22209-3939. Sign in at the receptionist's desk on the 21st floor.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mario Distasio, Chief of the Economic
Analysis Division, Office of Standards, Regulations, and Variances,
MSHA, at [email protected] (e-mail), 202-693-9445 (voicemail),
202-693-9441 (facsimile).
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
I. Background
Section 103(h) of the Federal Mine Safety and Health Act of 1977
(Mine Act), 30 U.S.C. 13(h), authorizes MSHA to collect information
necessary to carry out its duty in protecting the safety and health of
miners.
Compressed-air receivers and other unfired pressure
vessels must be inspected by inspectors holding a valid National Board
Commission and in accordance with the applicable chapters of the
National Board Inspection Code, a Manual for Boiler and Pressure
Vessels Inspectors, 1979. Safety defects found on compressed-air
receivers and other unfired pressure vessels have caused injuries and
fatalities in the mining industry. Records of inspections are required
to be kept in accordance with the requirements of the National Board
Inspection Code and the records must be made available to the Secretary
or an authorized representative.
Fired pressure vessels (boilers) must be equipped with
water level gauges, pressure gauges, automatic pressure-relief valves,
blowdown piping and other safety devices approved by the American
Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) to protect against hazards from
overpressure, flameouts, fuel interruptions and low water level. These
sections also require that records of inspection and repairs be kept by
the mine operator in accordance with the requirements of the ASME
Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code, 1977, and the National Board
Inspection Code (progressive records--no limit on retention time) and
must be made available to the Secretary or an authorized
representative.
Operators must inspect equipment, machinery, and tools
that are to be used during a shift for safety defects before the
equipment is placed in operation. Defects affecting safety are required
to be corrected in a timely manner. In instances where the defect makes
continued operation of the equipment hazardous to persons, the
equipment must be removed from service, tagged to identify that it is
out of use, and repaired before use is resumed. Safety defects on self-
propelled mobile equipment account for many injuries and fatalities in
the mining industry. Inspection of this equipment prior to use is
required to assure safe operation. The equipment operator is required
to make a visual and operational check of the various primary operating
systems that affect safety, such as brakes, lights, horn, seatbelts,
tires, steering, back-up alarm, windshield, cab safety glass, rear and
side view mirrors, and other safety and health related items. Any
defects found are required to be either corrected immediately, or
reported to and recorded by the mine operator prior to the timely
correction. A record is not required if unsafe conditions are not
present upon examination prior to use if the defect is corrected
immediately. The precise format in which the record is kept is left to
the discretion of the mine operator. Reports of uncorrected defects are
required to be recorded by the mine operator and kept at the mine
office from the date the defects are recorded, until the defects are
corrected.
A competent person designated by the operator must examine
each working place at least once each shift for conditions which may
adversely affect safety or health. A record of such examinations must
be kept by the operator for a period of one year and must be made
available for review by the Secretary or an authorized representative.
II. Desired Focus of Comments
MSHA is particularly interested in comments that:
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 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 selecting ``Rules & Regs'', and then selecting ``FedReg.Docs''. On
the next screen, select ``Paperwork Reduction Act Supporting
Statement'' to view documents supporting the Federal Register notice.
III. Current Actions
This request for collection of information contains notification
and recordkeeping provisions for the Proposed Information Collection
Request Submitted for Public Comment and Recommendations; Safety
Defects; Examination, Correction and Records, 30 CFR 56/57.14100, 56/
57.13015, 56/57.13030, and 56/57.18002. MSHA does not intend to publish
the results from this information collection and is not seeking
approval to either display or not display the expiration date for the
OMB approval of this information collection.
There are no certification exceptions identified with this
information collection and the collection of this information does not
employ statistical methods.
Type of Review: Extension
Agency: Mine Safety and Health Administration
OMB Number: 1219-0089
Frequency: On Occasion
Affected Public: Business or other for-profit
Cost to Federal Government: No additional cost
Total Burden Respondents: 12,557
Total Number of Responses: 11,502,241
[[Page 56560]]
Total Burden Hours: 1,223,104
Total Hour Burden Cost (operating/maintaining): $47,719,917
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.
Patricia W. Silvey,
Director, Office of Standards, Regulations, and Variances.
[FR Doc. 2010-23086 Filed 9-15-10; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4510-43-P