August 3, 2012)]
[Notices]
[Pages 46525-46526]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF LABOR
Mine Safety and Health Administration
Proposed Extension of Existing Information Collection; Petitions for Modification of Mandatory Safety Standards
AGENCY: Mine Safety and Health Administration, Labor.
ACTION: Request for public comments.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
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 continuing collections of information in accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995. 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 is soliciting comments concerning the extension of the information collection for 30 CFR 44.9, 44.10, and 44.11. OMB last approved this information collection request on January 8, 2010. The package expires on January 31, 2013.
DATES: All comments must be postmarked or received by midnight Eastern Time on October 2, 2012.
ADDRESSES: Comments concerning the information collection requirements
of this notice must be clearly identified with ``OMB 1219-0065'' and
sent to the Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA). Comments 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.
• Facsimile: 202-693-9441, include ``OMB 1219-0065'' in the
subject line of the message.
• Regular Mail or Hand Delivery: MSHA, Office of Standards,
Regulations, and Variances, 1100 Wilson Boulevard, Room 2350,
Arlington, VA 22209-3939. For hand delivery, sign in at the
receptionist's desk on the 21st floor.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Greg Moxness, Chief, Economic Analysis Division, Office of Standards, Regulations, and Variances, MSHA, at moxness.greg@dol.gov (email); 202-693-9440 (voice); or 202-693-9441 (facsimile).
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
I. Background
Section 101(c) of the Federal Mine Safety and Health Act of 1977
(Mine Act), 30 U.S.C. 811(c), provides that a mine operator or a
representative of miners may petition the Secretary of Labor
(Secretary) to modify the application of a mandatory safety standard. A
petition for modification may be granted if the Secretary determines
(1) that an alternative method of achieving the results of the standard
exists and that it will guarantee, at all times, no less than the same
measure of protection for the miners affected as that afforded by the
standard, or (2) that the application of the standard will result in a
diminution of safety to the miners affected.
Upon receipt of a petition, MSHA publishes a notice in the Federal
Register advising interested parties that they may provide comments or
other relevant information on the proposed modification. Thereafter,
MSHA conducts an investigation to determine the merits of the petition
for the purpose of deciding whether or not to grant it and, if granted,
whether there is a need for any additional terms or conditions. This
information collection addresses the recordkeeping associated with 30
CFR 49.9, 44.10, and 44.11.
II. Desired Focus of Comments
The Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) is soliciting
comments concerning the proposed extension of the information
collection related to this safety standard on petitions for
modification of mandatory safety standards. 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 the 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
• Address 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) to minimize the burden of the collection of information on
those who are to respond.
The public may examine publicly available documents, including the
public comment version of the supporting statement, at MSHA, Office of
Standards, Regulations, and Variances, 1100 Wilson Boulevard, Room
2350, Arlington, VA 22209-3939. OMB clearance requests are available on
MSHA's Web site at http://www.msha.gov under ``Rules & Regs'' on the
right side of the screen by selecting Information Collections Requests,
Paperwork Reduction Act Supporting Statements. The document will be
available on MSHA's Web site for 60 days after the publication date of
this notice. Comments submitted in writing or in electronic form will
be made available for public inspection. Because comments will not be
edited to remove any identifying or contact information, MSHA cautions
the commenter against including any information in the submission that
should not be publicly disclosed. 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
The information contained in an approved petition for modification is used by MSHA during inspections to determine compliance with the relevant safety standard. MSHA has updated the data with respect to the number of respondents and responses, as well as the total burden hours and total annual cost burden supporting this information collection extension request.
Summary
Type of Review: Extension.
Agency: Mine Safety and Health Administration.
Title: Petitions for Modification of Mandatory Safety Standards.
OMB Number: 1219-0065.
Affected Public: Business or other for-profit.
Cite/Reference/Form/etc: 30 CFR 44.9, 44.10, and 44.11.
Total Number of Respondents: 80.
Frequency: Infrequent.
Total Number of Responses: 80.
Total Burden Hours: 2,560 hours.
Other Cost Burden: $37,514.
Comments submitted in response to this notice will be summarized and 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.
Authority: 44 U.S.C. 3506(c)(2)(A).
Dated: July 31, 2012.
George F. Triebsch,
Certifying Officer.
[FR Doc. 2012-19012 Filed 8-2-12; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4510-43-P
