Federal Register: March 6, 2009 (Volume 74, Number 43)
DOCID: fr06mr09-56 FR Doc E9-4787
DEPARTMENT OF LABOR
Mine Safety and Health Administration
NOTICE: NOTICES
DOCID: fr06mr09-56
DOCUMENT ACTION: Notice.
SUBJECT CATEGORY:
Proposed Information Collection Request Submitted for Public Comment and Recommendations; Notification of Methane Detected in Mine Atmosphere
DATES: Submit comments on or before May 5, 2009.
DOCUMENT 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.
Currently, the Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) is soliciting comments concerning the extension of the information collection related to the 30 CFR Sections 57.22004(c), 57.22229, 5722230, 5722231, and 57.22239; Methane Detected in Mine Atmosphere.
SUMMARY:
Agency Information Collection Activities; Proposals, Submissions, and Approvals
SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION
I. Background
Sections 103(c), (I), and (j) of the Federal Mine Safety and Health
Act of 1977 authorizes the inspection, recordkeeping and reporting
requirements implemented in 30 CFR part 57, Subpart TSafety Standards for Methane in Metal and Nonmetal mines.
[[Page 9832]]
Methane is a flammable gas found in underground mining. Methane is a
colorless, odorless, tasteless gas, and it tens to rise to the roof of
a mine because it is lighter than air. Although methane itself is
nontoxic, its presence reduces oxygen content by dilution when mixed
with air, and consequently can act as an asphyxiant when present in
large quantities. Methane mixed with air is explosive in the range of 5
to 15 percent, provided that 12 percent or more oxygen is present. The
presence of dust containing volatile matter in the mine atmosphere may
further enhance the explosion potential of methane in a mine.
Metal and Nonmetal mine operators are required to notify MSHA as soon as possible if any of the following events occur: (a) There is an outburst that results in 0.25 percent or more methane in the mine atmosphere; (b) there is a blowout that results in 0.25 percent or more methane in the mine atmosphere; (c) there is an ignition of methane; (d) air sample results indicate 0.25 percent or more methane in the mine atmosphere of a Subcategory IB, IC, IIB, VB, or Category VI mine. If methane reaches 2.0 percent in a Category IV mine; or methane reaches 0.25 percent in the mine atmosphere of a Subcategory IB, IIB, VB, and VI mines, MSHA shall be notified immediately. MSHA investigates these occurrences to determine that the mine is placed in the proper category.
II. Desired Focus of Comments
MSHA is particularly interested in comments that:
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 & Regs'', and then selecting ``FedReg. Docs''. On the next screen, select ``Paperwork Reduction Act Supporting Statement'' to view documents supporting the Federal Register Notice.
Current Actions
MSHA is seeking an extension of the information collection related
to certification and notification of methane detected in mine atmosphere.
Type of Review: Extension.
Agency: Mine Safety and Health Administration.
Title: Methane Detected in Mine Atmosphere.
OMB Number: 12190103.
Recordkeeping: Certification of examinations shall be kept for at least one year.
Frequency: On Occasion.
Affected Public: Business or other forprofit.
Respondents: 8.
Responses: 416.
Total Burden Hours: 36 hours.
Total Burden Cost (operating/maintaining): $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 3rd day of March, 2009. John Rowlett,
Director, Management Services Division.
[FR Doc. E94787 Filed 3509; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 451043P
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT
Contact the employee listed in the ADDRESSES section of this notice.