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

[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 185 (Friday, September 24, 1999)]
[Notices]
[Page 51793]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-24957]


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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

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 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 extension of the information 
collection related to the Approval, Exhaust Gas Monitoring, and Safety 
Requirements for the Use of Diesel-Powered Equipment in Underground 
coal. 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 November 23, 1999.

ADDRESSES: Send comments to Theresa M. O'Malley, Program Analysis 
Officer, Office of Program Evaluation and Information Resources, 4015 
Wilson Boulevard, Room 715, Arlington, VA 22203-1984. Commenters are 
encouraged to send their comments on a computer disk, or via Internet 
E-mail to tomalley@msha.gov, along with an original printed copy. Ms. 
O'Malley can be reached at (703) 235-1470 (voice), or (703) 235-1563 
(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 719, 
4015 Wilson Boulevard, Arlington, VA 22203-1984. Mrs. O'Malley can be 
reached at TOMalley@msha.gov (Internet E-mail), (703) 235-1470 (voice), 
or (703) 235-1563 (facsimile).

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Background

    The rule 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.
    First, the rule requires that diesel engines and their critical 
components meet design specifications and tests to show that they are 
explosion-proof and will not cause a fire in a mine. Second, the safety 
requirements for diesel equipment include many proven features required 
in existing standards for electric-powered equipment. The rule also 
sets safety requirements for fuel handling and storage and fire 
suppression. Finally, the rule requires sampling of diesel exhaust 
emissions to protect miners from overexposure to carbon monoxide and 
nitrogen dioxide contained in diesel exhaust.

II. Current Actions

    The recordkeeping requirements contained in the rule are the 
minimum necessary to ensure the safe and healthful operation of diesel-
powered equipment in underground coal mines; to verify compliance with 
the regulations, and provide important information to mine operators 
and miners' representatives about safety and health conditions in 
miners' workplaces. Reduction of these recordkeeping requirements 
increase the likelihood that unsafe and unhealthy conditions would go 
undetected and uncorrected in underground coal mines.
    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.
    OMB Number: 1219-0119.
    Recordkeeping: Indefinitely.
    Affected Public: Business or other for-profit.
    Total Respondents: 199.
    Frequency: On occasion.
    Total Responses: 234,308.
    Average Time per Response: 0.24 hours.
    Estimated Total Burden Hours: 56,339.
    Total Burden Cost (capital/startup): $45,094.
    Total Burden Cost (operating/maintaining): $617,238.
    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: September 20, 1999.
Theresa M. O'Malley,
Chief, Records Management Group.
[FR Doc. 99-24957 Filed 9-23-99; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4510-43-M