[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 249 (Thursday, December 26, 1996)]
[Notices]
[Pages 68061-68062]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-32790]


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DEPARTMENT OF LABOR
Mine Safety and Health Administration


Proposed Information Collection Request Submitted for Public 
Comment and Recommendations; Roof Control Plans

ACTION: Notice.

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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 proposed extension of the 
information collection related to Roof Control Plans. MSHA 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.
    A copy of the proposed information collection request can be 
obtained by contacting the employee listed below in the Contact section 
of this notice.

DATES: Submit comments on or before February 24, 1997.

ADDRESSES: Written comments shall be mailed to Patricia W. Silvey, 
Director, Office of Standards, Regulations, and Variances, 4015 Wilson 
Boulevard, Room 627, Arlington, VA 22203-1984. Commenters are 
encouraged to send their comments on a computer disk, or via E-mail to 
[email protected], along with an original printed copy. Ms. Silvey can 
be reached at (703) 235-1910 (voice) or (703) 235-5551 (facsimile).

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
George M. Fesak, Director, Office of Program Evaluation and Information 
Resources, U.S. Department of Labor, Mine Safety and Health 
Administration, Room 715, 4015 Wilson Boulevard, Arlington, VA 22203-
1984. Mr. Fesak can be reached at [email protected] (Internet E-mail), 
(703) 235-8378 (voice), or (703) 235-1563 (facsimile).

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

I. Background

    Section 302(a) of the Federal Mine Safety and Health Act of 1977 
(Mine Act), 30 U.S.C. Sec. 846, requires that a roof control plan and 
revisions thereof suitable to the roof conditions and mining system of 
each coal mine be first approved by the Secretary of Labor (Secretary) 
before implementation by the operator. The plan must show the type of 
support and spacing approved by the Secretary, and the plan must be 
reviewed at least every 6 months by the Secretary.
    Under 30 CFR Sec. 75.221, the information required to be submitted 
and approved in the roof control plan includes the following: (1) the 
name and address of the company; (2) the name, address, mine 
identification number and location of the mine; (3) the name and title 
of the company official responsible for the plan; (4) a description of 
the mine strata; (5) a description and drawings of the sequence of 
installation and spacing of supports for each method of mining used; 
(6) the maximum distance that an ATRS system is to be set beyond the 
last row of permanent support (if appropriate); (7) specifications and 
installation procedures for liners or arches (if appropriate); (8) 
drawings indicating the planned width of openings, size of pillars, 
method of pillar recovery, and the sequence of mining pillars; (9) a 
list of all support materials required to be used in the roof, face and 
rib control system; (10) the intervals at which test holes will be 
drilled (if appropriate); and (11) a

[[Page 68062]]

description of the methods to be used for the protection of persons. 
Roof control plans are evaluated by Mine Safety and Health 
Administration (MSHA) specialists on the basis of the criteria set 
forth in 30 CFR 75.222. The District Manager may require additional 
measures in plans and may approve roof control plans that do not 
conform to the applicable criteria in this section, provided that 
effective control of the roof, face, and ribs can be maintained.
    Under 30 CFR 75.223, a mine operator is required to propose 
revisions to the roof control plan when conditions indicate that the 
plan is not suitable for controlling the roof, face, ribs, or coal or 
rock bursts, or when accident and injury experience at the mine 
indicates the plan is inadequate. Revisions shall also contain a mine 
map plot of each unplanned roof or rib fall and coal or rock burst that 
occurs in the active workings when certain criteria are met. The 
regulations also requires MSHA to review the plan every six months.

II. Current Actions

    Falls of roof, face and rib continue to be a leading cause of 
injuries and death in underground coal mines. All underground coal mine 
operators are required to develop and submit roof control plans to MSHA 
for evaluation and approval. These plans provide the means to instruct 
miners, who install roof supports, in the minimum requirements and 
placement of roof supports. The plan also provides a reference for mine 
supervisors to assist them in compliance with the plan requirements. In 
that regard the plan is a working document for the miners.

    Type of Review: Extension.
    Agency: Mine Safety and Health Administration.
    Title: Roof Control Plans (30 CFR 75.220, 75.221, and 75.223).
    Agency Number: 1219-0004.
    Recordkeeping: Indefinite.
    Affected Public: Business or other for-profit.

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                            Total                                  Total        Average time per        Burden  
     Cite/reference      respondents          Frequency          responses          response             hours  
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75.220.................           12  On occasion.............          12  24 hours................         288
75.223.................        1,105  On occasion.............       2,391  5 hours.................      11,955
75.223(b)..............        1,117  On occasion.............       2,025  5 minutes...............         162
Totals.................        2,234  ........................       4,428  2.8 hours...............      12,405
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    Estimated Total Burden Costs: $12,015.
    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: December 18, 1996.
George M. Fesak,
Director, Program Evaluation and Information Resources.
[FR Doc. 96-32790 Filed 12-24-96; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4510-43-M