[Federal Register Volume 72, Number 114 (Thursday, June 14, 2007)]
[Notices]
[Pages 32865-32866]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E7-11484]


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DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Office of the Secretary


Submission for OMB Review: Comment Request

June 8, 2007.
    The Department of Labor (DOL) has submitted the following public 
information collection request (ICR) to the Office of Management and 
Budget (OMB) for review and approval in accordance with the Paperwork 
Reduction Act of 1995 (Pub. L. 104-13, 44 U.S.C. chapter 35). A copy of 
this ICR, with applicable supporting documentation, may be obtained 
from RegInfo.gov at http://www.reginfo.gov/public/do/PRAMain or by 
contacting Darrin King on 202-693-4129 (this is not a toll-free 
number)/e-mail: [email protected].
    Comments should be sent to Office of Information and Regulatory 
Affairs, Attn: OMB Desk Officer for the Mine Safety and Health 
Administration (MSHA), Office of Management and Budget, Room 10235, 
Washington, DC 20503, Telephone: 202-395-7316/Fax: 202-395-6974 (these 
are not a toll-free numbers), within 30 days from the date of this 
publication in the Federal Register.
    The OMB 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 submission of responses.
    Agency: Mine Safety and Health Administration.
    Type of Review: Extension without change of currently approved 
collection.
    Title: Safety Standards for Underground Coal Mine Ventilation--Belt 
Entry Used as an Intake Air Course to Ventilate Working Sections and 
Areas Where Mechanized Mining Equipment is Being Installed.
    OMB Number: 1219-0138.
    Form Number: None.
    Type of Response: Reporting and Recordkeeping.
    Affected Public: Private Sector: Business or other for-profit 
(mining industry).
    Number of Respondents: 45.
    Estimated Number of Annual Responses: 44,768.
    Average Response Time: Varies.
    Estimated Annual Burden Hours: 9,083.
    Total Annualized capital/startup costs: $0.
    Total Annual Costs (operating/maintaining systems or purchasing 
services): $87,137.
    Description: Section 103(h) of the Federal Mine Safety and Health 
Act of 1977 (Mine Act), 30 U.S.C. 813, authorizes MSHA to collect 
information necessary to carryout its duty in protecting the safety and 
health of miners.
    The Safety Standards for Underground Coal Mine Ventilation--Belt 
Entry rule provides safety requirements for the use of the conveyor 
belt entry as a ventilation intake to course fresh air to working 
sections and areas where mechanized mining equipment is being installed 
or removed in mines with three or more entries. This rule is a 
voluntary standard. If the mine operators choose to use belt air to

[[Page 32866]]

ventilate working places, the provisions will maintain the level of 
safety in underground mines while allowing them to implement advances 
in mining atmospheric monitoring technology. This rule establishes 
alternate provisions that mine operators need to follow if they want to 
use belt air to ventilate working sections.
    Section 75.351(b)(3) requires the posting at the surface location 
of an up-to-date map or schematic showing air flow directions and the 
location and type of all Atmospheric Monitoring System (AMS) sensors. 
Section 75.351(n)(1) requires that sensors used to detect CO or smoke 
be visually examined at least once each shift, when belts are operated 
as part of a production shift. If hazardous conditions are found during 
the visual exam, then a log of such conditions must be filed under 
existing Section 75.363(b)--Hazardous conditions; posting, correcting 
and recording (OMB approval 1219-0088).
    Sections 75.351(n)(2) and 75.351(n)(3) require that a log be kept 
of every seven-day alarm test and every 31-day CO, smoke, or methane 
sensor calibration, respectively.
    Section 75.351(o)(1)(i) requires that a record be made if the AMS 
emits an alert or alarm signal. The record would consist of the date, 
time, location, and type of sensor, and the reason for its activation. 
Section (o)(1)(ii) requires that, if a malfunction in the system 
occurs, a record be made of the malfunction and the corrective action 
to return the system to proper operating condition. We (MSHA) believe 
that such records are useful to the miner, the mine operator, and the 
Agency in determining areas of recurring problems. This will aid in 
ensuring proper operation of AMSs.
    Section 75.351(o)(1)(iii) requires that the persons doing the 
weekly test of alert and alarm signals, the monthly calibration, or 
maintenance of the system make a record of these tests, calibrations, 
or maintenance. Section Sec.  75.351(o)(3) requires that all records 
concerning the AMS be kept in a book or electronically in a computer 
system, that is secure and not susceptible to alteration. Section 
75.351(p) requires the mine operator to keep these records for at least 
one year at a surface location and to make them available for 
inspection by authorized representatives of the Secretary and 
representatives of miners.
    Section 75.351(q) requires that a record of annual AMS operator 
training be kept. The record will include the content of training, the 
person conducting the training, and the date the training is conducted. 
The record needs to be maintained at the mine site by the mine operator 
for at least one year.
    Sections 75.352(a) and 75.352(b) require the designated AMS 
operator or other appropriate personnel to take actions promptly when 
malfunction, alert, or alarm signals are received. These requirements 
are parallel to those of Section 75.351(o).
    Numerous provisions require action to modify the mine ventilation 
plan. Provisions under Section 75.371 Mine Ventilation Plan include: 
Section 75.371(ii) requires the locations where dust measurements are 
made in the belt entry, in accordance with Section 75.350(b)(3) be 
included in the mine ventilation plan; Section 75.371(jj) requires the 
locations where velocities in the belt entry exceed limits set forth in 
Section 75.350(a)(2), and the maximum approved velocity for each 
location must be shown in the mine ventilation plan; Section 75.371(kk) 
requires the locations where air quantities are measured as set forth 
in Section 75.350(b)(6) be included in the mine ventilation plan; 
Section 75.371(ll) requires the inclusion of point feed locations and 
their use in the mine ventilation plan; and Sections 75.371(nn), 
75.371(oo), and 75.371(pp) require modification of the mine ventilation 
plan to show the length of the time delay or any other method used for 
reducing the number of non-fire related alert and alarm signals from CO 
sensors, the lower alert and alarm setting for CO sensors, and the 
alternate instrument and the alert and alarm levels associated with the 
instrument, respectively.
    The respondents are mine operators that elect to use belt air to 
ventilate working sections and areas where mechanized equipment is 
being installed or removed. The records will be used by coal mine 
supervisors and employees, State mine inspectors, and Federal mine 
inspectors. The records show that the examinations and tests were 
conducted and give insight into the hazardous conditions that have been 
encountered and those that may be encountered. The records of 
inspections greatly assist those who use them in making decisions that 
will ultimately affect the safety and health of miners working in belt 
air mines.

Darrin A. King,
Acting Departmental Clearance Officer.
 [FR Doc. E7-11484 Filed 6-13-07; 8:45 am]
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