Notice Proposed Information Collection Request; Submitted for Public Comment and Recommendations; Ventilation Plans, Tests, and Examinations in Underground Coal Mines, 66801-66802 [E6-19393]

Download as PDF Federal Register / Vol. 71, No. 221 / Thursday, November 16, 2006 / Notices Dated: November 9, 2006. Erica Cantor, Administrator, Office of National Response. [FR Doc. E6–19425 Filed 11–15–06; 8:45 am] pwalker on PROD1PC61 with NOTICES to targeted individuals, defined in the Trade Adjustment Assistance Reform Act of 2002. NEG Data Collection Forms are as follows: BILLING CODE 4510–30–P ETA–9103, Cumulative Quarterly Planning Form ETA–9104, Quarterly Report ETA–9105, Employer Data Form ETA–9106, Project Synopsis ETA–9107, Project Operator Data Form I. Review Focus: The Department of Labor 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. II. Current Actions: This is a notice to extend the collection period that is currently approved by OMB (1205–0446 expires October 31, 2006). Type of Review: Extension of a currently approved collection. Agency: Employment and Training Administration. Title: Workforce Investment Act: National Emergency Grant (NEG) Assistance—Application and Reporting Procedures. OMB Number: 1205–0439. Affected Public: State, local, or tribal government. Total Respondents: 150. Estimated Total Burden Hours: 1,096. Total Burden Cost (capital/startup): $0. Total Burden Cost (operating/ maintaining): $0. Comments submitted in response to this comment request 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. VerDate Aug<31>2005 20:27 Nov 15, 2006 Jkt 211001 DEPARTMENT OF LABOR Mine Safety and Health Administration Notice Proposed Information Collection Request; Submitted for Public Comment and Recommendations; Ventilation Plans, Tests, and Examinations in Underground Coal Mines 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/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 75.310, 312, 342, 351, 360, 361, 362, 363, 364, 370, 371, and 382. DATES: Submit comments on or before January 16, 2007. ADDRESSES: Send comments to Debbie Ferraro, Management Analyst, Administration and Management, 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, along with an original printed copy. 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 An underground mine is a maze of tunnels that must be adequately ventilated with fresh air to provide a safe environment for miners. Methane is liberated from the strata, and noxious gases and dusts from blasting and other PO 00000 Frm 00053 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 66801 mining activities may be present. The explosive and noxious gases and dusts must be diluted, rendered harmless, and carried to the surface by the ventilating currents. Sufficient air must be provided to maintain the level of respirable dust at or below 2 milligrams per cubic meter of air and air quality must be maintained in accordance with MSHA standards. Mechanical ventilation equipment of sufficient capacity must operate at all times while miners are in the mine. Ground conditions are subject to frequent changes, thus sufficient tests and examinations are necessary to ensure the integrity of the ventilation system and to detect any changes that may require adjustments in the system. Records of tests and examinations are necessary to ensure that the ventilation system is being maintained and that changes which could adversely affect the integrity of the system or the safety of the miners are not occurring. These examination requirements of §§ 75.310, 75.312, 75.342, 75.351, 75.360 through 75.364, 75.370, 75.371, and 75.382 also incorporate examinations of other critical aspects of the underground work environment such as roof conditions and electrical equipment which have historically cased numerous fatalities if not properly maintained and operated. II. Desired Focus of Comments Currently, the Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) is soliciting comments concerning the proposed extension of the information collection that: • 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 can be obtained by contacting the employee listed in the FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT section of this notice, or viewed on the E:\FR\FM\16NON1.SGM 16NON1 66802 Federal Register / Vol. 71, No. 221 / Thursday, November 16, 2006 / Notices Internet by accessing the MSHA home page (https://www.msha.gov) and then choosing ‘‘Statutory and Regulatory Information’’ and ‘‘Federal Register Documents.’’ III. Current Actions Records of tests and examinations are necessary to ensure that the ventilation system is being maintained and that changes which could adversely affect the integrity of the system or the safety of the miners are not occurring. Type of Review: Extension. Agency: Mine Safety and Health Administration. Title: Ventilation Plans, Tests, and Examinations in Underground Coal Mines. OMB Number: 1219–0088. Frequency: On Occasion. Affected Public: Business or other forprofit. Respondents: 612. Responses: 300,162. Total Burden Hours: 1,824,456. Total Burden Cost (operating/ maintaining): $160,203. 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 8th day of November, 2006. David L. Meyer, Director, Office of Administration and Management. [FR Doc. E6–19393 Filed 11–15–06; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4510–43–P NATIONAL CREDIT UNION ADMINISTRATION No FEAR Act Notice National Credit Union Administration (NCUA). ACTION: Notice. pwalker on PROD1PC61 with NOTICES AGENCY: SUMMARY: The NCUA is providing to its employees this notice of employee rights and protections under the Notification and Federal Employees Antidiscrimination and Retaliation Act of 2002 (the No FEAR Act). DATES: The NCUA is required to provide initial notice to employees by November 17, 2006, and at the end of each successive fiscal year. The NCUA must also provide the notice to new employees within 90 calendar days of entering duty. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For additional information, contact Annette Tapia, Staff Attorney, Office of General VerDate Aug<31>2005 20:27 Nov 15, 2006 Jkt 211001 Counsel, at (703) 518–6556, or Chrisanthy Loizos, Director, Equal Opportunity Programs, at (703) 518– 6326. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The No FEAR Act requires that each federal agency provide public notification of its initial No FEAR Act Notice to employees. This notice provides employees, former employees and applicants further notification of the rights and remedies available to them under the antidiscrimination laws and whistleblower protection laws. By the National Credit Union Administration Board on November 7, 2006. Mary Rupp, Secretary of the Board. For the reasons discussed above, NCUA is issuing the No FEAR Act notice to its employees, former employees, and applicants as follows: No FEAR Act Notice On May 15, 2002, Congress enacted the No FEAR Act. One purpose of the Act is to ‘‘require that Federal agencies be accountable for violations of antidiscrimination and whistleblower protection laws.’’ No FEAR Act, 107 P. L. 174, 116 Stat. 566, Summary (2002). In support of this purpose, Congress found that ‘‘agencies cannot be run effectively if those agencies practice or tolerate discrimination.’’ Id. at 101(1). The Act also requires the NCUA to provide this notice to federal employees, former federal employees and applicants for federal employment to inform you of the rights and protections available to you under federal antidiscrimination and whistleblower protection laws. Antidiscrimination Laws A federal agency cannot discriminate against an employee or applicant with respect to the terms, conditions or privileges of employment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, marital status or political affiliation. Discrimination on these bases is prohibited by one or more of the following statutes: 5 U.S.C. 2302(b)(1), 29 U.S.C. 206(d), 29 U.S.C. 631, 29 U.S.C. 633a, 29 U.S.C. 791 and 42 U.S.C. 2000e–16. If you believe that you have been the victim of unlawful discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin or disability, you must contact an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) counselor within 45 calendar days of the alleged discriminatory action. Alternatively, in a personnel action you must contact an EEO counselor within 45 calendar days of the effective date of the action, before PO 00000 Frm 00054 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 you can file a formal complaint of discrimination with your agency. See, e.g., 29 CFR part 1614. If you believe that you have been the victim of unlawful discrimination on the basis of age, you must either contact an EEO counselor as noted above or give notice of intent to sue to the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) within 180 calendar days of the alleged discriminatory action. If you are alleging discrimination based on marital status or political affiliation, you may file a written complaint with the U.S. Office of Special Counsel (OSC) (see contact information below). Alternatively, or in some cases additionally, you may be able to pursue a discrimination complaint by filing a grievance through the agency’s administrative or negotiated grievance procedures, if such procedures apply and are available. Whistleblower Protection Laws NCUA employees with authority to take, direct others to take, recommend or approve any personnel action must not use that authority to take or fail to take, a personnel action against an employee or applicant because that individual disclosed information that is reasonably believed to evidence violations of law, rule or regulation; gross mismanagement; gross waste of funds; an abuse of authority; or a substantial and specific danger to public health or safety, unless an Executive Order specifically requires such information to be kept secret in the interest of national defense or the conduct of foreign affairs. Retaliation against an employee or applicant for making a protected disclosure is prohibited by 5 U.S.C. 2302(b)(8). If you believe that you have been the victim of whistleblower retaliation, you may file a written complaint (Form OSC–11) with the OSC at 1730 M Street, NW., Suite 218, Washington, DC 20036–4505 or online through the OSC Web site—https:// www.osc.gov. The NCUA may not discharge or otherwise discriminate against any employee with respect to compensation, terms, conditions, or privileges of employment because the employee (or any person acting pursuant to the request of the employee) provided information to the NCUA or the Attorney General regarding any possible violation of any law or regulation by any credit union or the NCUA; any director, officer, committee member, or employee of any credit union; or any officer or employee of the NCUA. 12 U.S.C. 1790b(a)(2). E:\FR\FM\16NON1.SGM 16NON1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 71, Number 221 (Thursday, November 16, 2006)]
[Notices]
[Pages 66801-66802]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E6-19393]


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

DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Mine Safety and Health Administration


Notice Proposed Information Collection Request; Submitted for 
Public Comment and Recommendations; Ventilation Plans, Tests, and 
Examinations in Underground Coal Mines

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/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 75.310, 312, 342, 351, 360, 
361, 362, 363, 364, 370, 371, and 382.

DATES: Submit comments on or before January 16, 2007.

ADDRESSES: Send comments to Debbie Ferraro, Management Analyst, 
Administration and Management, 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, 
along with an original printed copy. 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

    An underground mine is a maze of tunnels that must be adequately 
ventilated with fresh air to provide a safe environment for miners. 
Methane is liberated from the strata, and noxious gases and dusts from 
blasting and other mining activities may be present. The explosive and 
noxious gases and dusts must be diluted, rendered harmless, and carried 
to the surface by the ventilating currents.
    Sufficient air must be provided to maintain the level of respirable 
dust at or below 2 milligrams per cubic meter of air and air quality 
must be maintained in accordance with MSHA standards. Mechanical 
ventilation equipment of sufficient capacity must operate at all times 
while miners are in the mine. Ground conditions are subject to frequent 
changes, thus sufficient tests and examinations are necessary to ensure 
the integrity of the ventilation system and to detect any changes that 
may require adjustments in the system. Records of tests and 
examinations are necessary to ensure that the ventilation system is 
being maintained and that changes which could adversely affect the 
integrity of the system or the safety of the miners are not occurring. 
These examination requirements of Sec. Sec.  75.310, 75.312, 75.342, 
75.351, 75.360 through 75.364, 75.370, 75.371, and 75.382 also 
incorporate examinations of other critical aspects of the underground 
work environment such as roof conditions and electrical equipment which 
have historically cased numerous fatalities if not properly maintained 
and operated.

II. Desired Focus of Comments

    Currently, the Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) is 
soliciting comments concerning the proposed extension of the 
information collection that:
     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 can be 
obtained by contacting the employee listed in the For Further 
Information Contact section of this notice, or viewed on the

[[Page 66802]]

Internet by accessing the MSHA home page (https://www.msha.gov) and then 
choosing ``Statutory and Regulatory Information'' and ``Federal 
Register Documents.''

III. Current Actions

    Records of tests and examinations are necessary to ensure that the 
ventilation system is being maintained and that changes which could 
adversely affect the integrity of the system or the safety of the 
miners are not occurring.
    Type of Review: Extension.
    Agency: Mine Safety and Health Administration.
    Title: Ventilation Plans, Tests, and Examinations in Underground 
Coal Mines.
    OMB Number: 1219-0088.
    Frequency: On Occasion.
    Affected Public: Business or other for-profit.
    Respondents: 612.
    Responses: 300,162.
    Total Burden Hours: 1,824,456.
    Total Burden Cost (operating/maintaining): $160,203.
    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 8th day of November, 2006.
David L. Meyer,
Director, Office of Administration and Management.
 [FR Doc. E6-19393 Filed 11-15-06; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4510-43-P

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.