81 FR 42734 - Proposed Extension of Information Collection; Program To Prevent Smoking in Hazardous Areas (Pertains to Underground Coal Mines)

DEPARTMENT OF LABOR
Mine Safety and Health Administration

Federal Register Volume 81, Issue 126 (June 30, 2016)

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 collections of information in accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, 44 U.S.C. 3506(c)(2)(A). This program 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 on the information collection for Program to Prevent Smoking in Hazardous Areas (Pertains to Underground Coal Mines).

[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 126 (Thursday, June 30, 2016)]
[Notices]
[Pages 42734-42735]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2016-15426]


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DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Mine Safety and Health Administration

[OMB Control No. 1219-0041]


Proposed Extension of Information Collection; Program To Prevent 
Smoking in Hazardous Areas (Pertains to Underground Coal Mines)

AGENCY: Mine Safety and Health Administration, Labor.

ACTION: Request for public comments.

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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 collections of information 
in accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, 44 U.S.C. 
3506(c)(2)(A). This program 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 on the information collection for Program 
to Prevent Smoking in Hazardous Areas (Pertains to Underground Coal 
Mines).

DATES: All comments must be received on or before August 29, 2016.

ADDRESSES: Comments concerning the information collection requirements 
of this notice may be sent by any of the methods listed below.
     Federal E-Rulemaking Portal: http://www.regulations.gov. 
Follow the on-line instructions for submitting comments for docket 
number MSHA-2016-0018.
     Regular Mail: Send comments to USDOL-MSHA, Office of 
Standards, Regulations, and Variances, 201 12th Street South, Suite 
4E401, Arlington, VA 22202-5452
     Hand Delivery: USDOL--Mine Safety and Health 
Administration, 201 12th Street South, Suite 4E401, Arlington, VA 
22202-5452. Sign in at the receptionist's desk on the 4th floor via the 
East elevator.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Sheila McConnell, Director, Office of 
Standards, Regulations, and Variances, MSHA, at MSHA.information 
.[email protected] (email); 202-693-9440 (voice); or 202-693-9441 
(facsimile).

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

I. Background

    Section 317(c) of the Federal Mine Safety and Health Act of 1977 
(Mine Act), 30 U.S.C. 877(c), and 30 CFR 75.1702 prohibits persons from 
smoking or carrying smoking materials underground or in places where 
there is a fire or explosion hazard. Under the Mine Act, 30 U.S.C. 
877(c) and 75.1702, coal mine operators are required to develop 
programs to prevent persons from carrying smoking materials, matches, 
or lighters underground and to prevent smoking in hazardous areas, such 
as in or around oil houses, explosives magazines or other areas where 
such practice may cause a fire or explosion.
    Section 75.1702-1 requires a mine operator to submit a smoking 
prevention plan to MSHA for approval under Sec.  75.1702 to MSHA for 
approval. Section 103(h) of the Mine Act, 30 U.S.C. 813, authorizes 
MSHA to collect information necessary to carry out its duty in 
protecting the safety and health of miners. These information 
collection requirements help to ensure that a fire or explosion hazard 
does not occur.

II. Desired Focus of Comments

    MSHA is soliciting comments concerning the proposed information 
collection related to Program to Prevent Smoking in Hazardous Areas 
(Pertains to Underground Coal Mines). MSHA is particularly interested 
in comments that:
     Evaluate whether the collection of information is 
necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the agency, 
including whether the information has practical utility;
     Evaluate the accuracy of MSHA's estimate of the burden of 
the collection of information, including the validity of the 
methodology and assumptions used;
     Suggest methods to 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 submission of responses.
    The information collection request will be available on http://www.regulations.gov. MSHA cautions the commenter against providing any 
information in the submission that should not be publicly disclosed. 
Full comments, including personal information provided, will be made 
available on www.regulations.gov and www.reginfo.gov.
    The public may also examine publicly available documents at USDOL--
Mine Safety and Health Administration, 201 12th South, Suite 4E401, 
Arlington, VA 22202-5452. Sign in at the receptionist's desk on the 4th 
floor via the East elevator.
    Questions about the information collection requirements may be 
directed to the person listed in the FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT 
section of this notice.

III. Current Actions

    This request for collection of information contains provisions for 
Program to Prevent Smoking in Hazardous Areas (Pertains to Underground 
Coal Mines). MSHA has updated the data with respect to the number of 
respondents, responses, burden hours, and burden costs supporting this 
information collection request.
    Type of Review: Extension, without change, of a currently approved 
collection.
    Agency: Mine Safety and Health Administration.
    OMB Number: 1219-0041.
    Affected Public: Business or other for-profit.
    Number of Respondents: 17.
    Frequency: On occasion.
    Number of Responses: 17.
    Annual Burden Hours: 9 hours.
    Annual Respondent or Recordkeeper Cost: $0.
    Comments submitted in response to this notice will be summarized 
and

[[Page 42735]]

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.

Sheila McConnell,
Certifying Officer.
[FR Doc. 2016-15426 Filed 6-29-16; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4510-43-P