[Federal Register: June 29, 2007 (Volume 72, Number 125)]
[Notices]               
[Page 35731]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr29jn07-88]                         

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Mine Safety and Health Administration

 
Proposed Information Collection Request Submitted for Public 
Comment and Recommendations; Application for Waiver of Surface 
Facilities Requirements

ACTION: Notice.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

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.

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 the employee listed in the ADDRESSES 
section of this notice.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

I. Background

    Title 30 Sections 71.400 through 71.402 and 75.1712-1 through 
75.1712-3 require coal mine operators to provide bathing facilities, 
clothing change rooms, and sanitary flush toilet facilities in a 
location that is convenient for use of the miners. If the operator is 
unable to meet any or all of the requirements, he/she may apply for a 
waiver. Title 30 CFR Sections 71.403, 71.404, 75.1712-4 and 75.1712-5 
provide procedures by which an operator may apply for and be granted a 
waiver. Applications are filed with the District Manager for the 
district in which the mine is located and contain the name and address 
of the mine operator, name and location of the mine, and a detailed 
statement of the grounds upon which the waiver is requested and the 
period of time for which it is requested. Waivers for surface coal 
mines may be granted for a period not to exceed one year; requests for 
an annual extension may be sought by the operator. Waivers for 
underground coal mines may be granted for extended periods of time 
based on the information provided by the mine operator in the request 
for a waiver.
    The purpose for the waiver is to assure the conditions at the mine 
make it impractical for the mine operator to provide the required 
facilities, and to document the circumstances for granting of the 
waiver. This gives the mine operator written documentation that the 
requirement(s) of the standard have been waived by MSHA and MSHA 
inspection personnel will not require the mine operator to comply with 
the part(s) of the standard included in the waiver. Without this 
written documentation, MSHA inspection personnel cannot be assured that 
a mine operator is not required to provide the required sanitary 
facilities.

II. Desired Focus of Comments

    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 may be viewed 
on the internet by accessing the MSHA home page (http://www.msha.gov/) 

and choosing ``Rules and Regs'', then choosing ``Fed Reg Docs.''

III. Current Action

    Currently, the Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) is 
soliciting comments concerning the proposed extension of the 
information collection related to the Application for Waiver of Surface 
Facilities Requirement.
    This information is necessary in order to assure the mine operator 
is not required to provide the surface facilities as required by the 
standard. This information provides written documentation that MSHA has 
waived the requirements for the applicable part(s) of the standard as 
outlined in the waiver.
    Type of Review: Extension.
    Agency: Mine Safety and Health Administration.
    Title: Application for Waiver of Surface Facilities Requirements.
    OMB Number: 1219-0024.
    Affected Public: Business or other for-profit.
    Number of Respondents: 843.
    Number of Responses: 843.
    Total Burden Hours: 322.
    Total 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. E7-12526 Filed 6-28-07; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 4510-43-P