[Federal Register: September 11, 2006 (Volume 71, Number 175)]
[Notices]
[Page 53480-53481]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr11se06-118]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF LABOR
Mine Safety and Health Administration
Proposed Information Collection Request Submitted for Public
Comment and Recommendations; Mine Rescue Teams; Arrangements for
Emergency Medical Assistance; and Arrangements for Transportation for
Injured Persons
ACTION: Notice.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: The Department of Labor, as part of its continuing effort to
reduce
[[Page 53481]]
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)(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 30 CFR Sections 49.2 through 49.4, 49.6
through 49.9, 75.1713-1, and 77.1702; Mine Rescue Teams; Arrangements
for Emergency Medical Assistance; and Arrangements for Transportation
for Injured Persons.
DATES: Submit comments on or before November 13, 2006.
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 Rowlett.John@dol.gov, 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: Contact the employee listed in the
ADDRESSES section of this notice.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
I. Background
Section 115(e) of the Federal Mine Safety and Health Act of 1977
(Mine Act) required the Secretary of Labor (Secretary) to publish
proposed regulations which provide that mine rescue teams be available
for rescue and recovery work to each underground mine in the event of
an emergency. In addition, the costs of making advance arrangements for
such teams are to be borne by the operator of each such mine.
Congress considered the ready availability of mine rescue in the
event of an accident to be vital protection for miners. Congress was
concerned that too often in the past, rescue efforts at a disaster site
have had to await the delayed arrival of skilled mine rescue teams. In
responding to Congressional concerns, the Mine Safety and Health
Administration (MSHA) promulgated 30 CFR Part 49, Mine Rescue Teams.
The regulations set standards related to the availability of mine
rescue teams; alternate mine rescue capability for small and remote
mines and mines with special mining conditions; inspection and
maintenance records of mine rescue equipment and apparatus; physical
requirements for mine rescue team members and alternates; and
experience and training requirements for team members and alternates.
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 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
``Statutory and Regulatory Information'' and ``Federal Register
Documents.''
III. Current Actions
Under 30 CFR 49, Mine Rescue Teams, the regulations set standards
related to the availability of mine rescue teams; alternate mine rescue
capability for small and remote mines and mines with special mining
conditions; inspection and maintenance records of mine rescue equipment
and apparatus; physical requirements for mine rescue team members and
alternates; and experience and training requirements for team members
and alternates. Parts 75 and 77 requires that coal mine operators make
arrangements with a licensed physician, medical service, medical
clinic, or hospital and with an ambulance service to provide 24-hour
emergency medical assistance and transportation. That information is to
be posted at the mine.
Type of Review: Extension.
Agency: Mine Safety and Health Administration.
Title: Mine Rescue Teams; Arrangements for Emergency Medical
Assistance; and Arrangements for Transportation for Injured Persons.
OMB Number: 1219-0078.
Recordkeeping: Sec. 49.6 states that rescue apparatus and
equipment shall be maintained and that a person trained in the use and
care of breathing apparatus shall inspect and test the apparatus at
lease every 30 days and shall certify by signature and date that the
inspections and tests were done. The certification and the record of
corrective action taken, if any, shall be maintained at the mine rescue
station for a period of one year. Sec. 49.7 requires that each team
member and alternate be examined within 60 days of the beginning of the
initial training, and annually thereafter by a physician who shall
certify the physical fitness of the team member to perform mine rescue
and recovery work for prolonged periods under strenuous conditions. The
operator shall have MSHA Form 5000-3 on file for each team member.
These forms shall be kept on file at either the mine or the mine rescue
station for a period of one year. Sec. 49.8 requires that prior to
serving on a mine rescue team, each member must complete an initial 20-
hour course of instruction and all team members are required to receive
40 hours of refresher training annually. A record of the training
received by each mine rescue team member is required to be on file at
the mine rescue station for a period of one year.
Frequency: On Occasion.
Affected Public: Business or other for-profit.
Respondents: 1,072.
Responses: 45,270.
Burden Hours: 24,366.
Total Burden Cost: $648K.
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 31st day of August, 2006.
David L. Meyer,
Director, Office of Administration and Management.
[FR Doc. E6-14915 Filed 9-8-06; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4510-43-P