Federal Register: October 15, 2009 (Volume 74, Number 198)
DOCID: fr15oc09-75 FR Doc E9-24748
DEPARTMENT OF LABOR
Mine Safety and Health Administration
NOTICE: NOTICES
DOCID: fr15oc09-75
DOCUMENT ACTION: Notice.
SUBJECT CATEGORY:
Mine Safety and Health Administration
DATES: Submit comments on or before December 14, 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 49.2, 49.3 49.4, 49.5 49.6, 49.7, 49.8 and 49.9.
SUMMARY:
Agency Information Collection Activities; Proposals, Submissions, and Approvals
DOCUMENT BODY 2:
Proposed Information Collection Request Submitted for Public Comment and Recommendations; Mine Rescue Teams; Arrangements for Emergency Medical Assistance; and Arrangements for Transportation for Injured Persons
SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION
I. Background
Section 115 (e) of the Federal Mine Safety and Health Act of 1977 (Mine Act) required the Secretary of Labor (Secretary) to publish proposed regulations which provide that mine rescue teams be available for rescue and recovery work to each underground mine in the event of an emergency. In addition, the costs of making advance arrangements for such teams are to be borne by the operator of each such mine.
Congress considered the ready availability of mine rescue in the event of an accident to be vital protection for miners. Congress was concerned that too often in the past, rescue efforts at a disaster site have had to await the delayed arrival of skilled mine rescue teams. In responding to Congressional concerns, the Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) promulgated 30 CFR Part 49, Mine Rescue Teams. The regulations set standards related to the availability of mine rescue teams; alternate mine rescue capability for small and remote mines and mines with special mining conditions; inspection and maintenance records of mine rescue equipment and apparatus; physical requirements for mine rescue team members and alternates; and experience and training requirements for team members and alternates. 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
[[Page 52980]]
(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
Under 30 CFR part 49, Mine Rescue Teams, the regulations set
standards related to the availability of mine rescue teams; alternate
mine rescue capability for small and remote mines and mines with
special mining conditions; inspection and maintenance records of mine
rescue equipment and apparatus; physical requirements for mine rescue
team members and alternates; and experience and training requirements
for team members and alternates. Parts 75 and 77 requires that coal
mine operators make arrangements with a licensed physician, medical
service, medical clinic, or hospital and with an ambulance service to
provide 24hour emergency medical assistance and transportation. That information is to be posted at the mine.
Type of Review: Extension.
Agency: Mine Safety and Health Administration.
Title: Mine Rescue Teams; Arrangements for Emergency Medical Assistance; and Arrangements for Transportation for Injured Persons.
OMB Number: 12190078.
Recordkeeping: Sec. 49.6 states that rescue apparatus and
equipment shall be maintained and that a person trained in the use and
care of breathing apparatus shall inspect and test the apparatus at
lease every 30 days and shall certify by signature and date that the
inspections and tests were done. The certification and the record of
corrective action taken, if any, shall be maintained at the mine rescue
station for a period of one year. Sec. 49.7 requires that each team
member and alternate be examined within 60 days of the beginning of the
initial training, and annually thereafter by a physician who shall
certify the physical fitness of the team member to perform mine rescue
and recovery work for prolonged periods under strenuous conditions. The
operator shall have MSHA Form 50003 on file for each team member.
These forms shall be kept on file at either the mine or the mine rescue
station for a period of one year. Sec. 49.8 requires that prior to
serving on a mine rescue team, each member must complete an initial 20
hour course of instruction and all team members are required to receive
40 hours of refresher training annually. A record of the training
received by each mine rescue team member is required to be on file at the mine rescue station for a period of one year.
Frequency: On occasion.
Affected Public: Business or other forprofit.
Respondents: 224.
Responses: 20,563.
Burden Hours: 8,825.
Total Burden Cost: $243,049.
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 9th day of October 2009. John Rowlett,
Director, Management Services Division.
[FR Doc. E924748 Filed 101409; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 451043P
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT
Contact the employee listed in the ADDRESSES section of this notice.