[Federal Register: June 29, 2007 (Volume 72, Number 125)]
[Notices]               
[Page 35728]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr29jn07-85]                         

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DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Mine Safety and Health Administration

 
Proposed Information Collection Request Submitted for Public 
Comment and Recommendations; Escape and Evacuation Plan

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)(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 proposed extension of the 
information collection related to Escape and Evacuation Plans. 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.

DATES: Submit comments on or before August 28, 2007.

ADDRESSES: Send comments to: Debbie Ferraro, Management Services 
Division, 1100 Wilson Boulevard, Room 2171, Arlington, VA 22209-3939. 
Commenters are encouraged to send their comments on computer disk, or 
via e-mail to Ferraro.Debbie@DOL.GOV. Ms. Ferraro can be reached at 
(202) 693-9821 (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

    Title 30, CFR 57.11053 requires the development of an escape and 
evacuation plan specifically addressing the unique conditions of each 
underground metal and nonmetal mine. Section 57.11053 also requires 
that revisions be made as mining progresses. The plan must be available 
for review by MSHA inspectors and conspicuously posted at locations 
convenient to all persons on the surface and underground. The plan is 
required to be reviewed jointly by the mine operator and MSHA at least 
once every six months.

II. Current Actions

    An accurate, up-to-date plan is vital to the safety of the miners 
and rescue personnel in the event of an underground mine emergency. The 
plans are periodically reviewed by MSHA personnel to ensure that plans 
are accurate and updated as mining progresses and that the escape 
routes are still effective.
    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 selecting 

``Rules and Regs'', and then selecting ``Fed Reg Docs.''
    Type of Review: Extension of Currently Approved Collection.
    Agency: Mine Safety and Health Administration.
    Title: Escape and Evacuation Plans.
    OMB Number: 1219-0046.
    Affected Public: Business or other for-profit institutions.
    Frequency: On occasion.
    Number of Respondents: 242.
    Number of Responses: 484.
    Total Burden Hours: 4,114.
    Total Annual Burden Cost: $0.
    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 25th day of June, 2007.
David L. Meyer,
Director, Office of Administration and Management.
 [FR Doc. E7-12523 Filed 6-28-07; 8:45 am]

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