[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 230 (Wednesday, December 1, 1999)]
[Notices]
[Pages 67325-67326]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-31177]


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DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Mine Safety and Health Administration


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

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.

DATES: Submit comments on or before January 31, 2000.

ADDRESSES: Send comments to Diane B. Hill, Program Analysis Officer, 
Office of Program Evaluation and Information Resources, 4015 Wilson 
Boulevard, Room 715, Arlington, VA 22203-1984. Commenters are 
encouraged to send their comments on a computer disk, or via Internet 
E-mail to [email protected], along with an original printed copy. Ms. Hill 
can be reached at (703) 235-1470 (voice), or (703) 235-1563 
(facsimile).

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Diane B. Hill, Program Analysis 
Officer, Office of Program Evaluation and Information Resources, U.S. 
Department of Labor, Mine Safety and Health Administration, Room 719, 
4015 Wilson Boulevard, Arlington, VA 22203-1984. Ms. Hill can be 
reached at [email protected] (Internet E-mail), (703) 235-1470 (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. 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 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 description of the methods to be used for the 
production of persons. Under 30 CFR 75.215, the roof control plan for 
each longwall mining section is required to specify the methods that 
will able used to maintain a safe travelway out of the section through 
the tailgate side of the longwall and the procedures that will be 
followed if a ground failure prevents travel out of the section through 
the tailgate side of the longwall.
    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 proposed 
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. The regulation also requires mine 
operators to plot on a mine map each unplanned roof or rib fall and 
coal or rock burst that occurs in the active workings when certain 
criteria are met. Finally, the regulation requires MSHA to review the 
plan every 6 months.

II. Desired Focus of Comments

    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

[[Page 67326]]

use of appropriate automated, electronic, mechanical, or other 
technological collection techniques or other forms of information 
technology, e.g., permitting electronic submissions or responses.
    A copy of the proposed information collection request may be 
obtained by contacting the employee listed above in the For Further 
Information Contact section of this notice.

III. 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 Plan (30 CFR 75.215, 75.220, 75.221, 75.222, 
and 75.223).
    Agency Number: 1219-0004.
    Recordkeeping: Indefinite.
    Affected Public: Business or other for-profit institutions.

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                                   Total                             Total      Average time per
       Cite/reference           respondents       Frequency        responses        response       Burden hours
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75.220......................              10  On occasion.....              10  24 hours........             240
75.223......................           1,020  On occasion.....           1,107  5 hours.........           5,535
75.223(b)...................           1,020  On occasion.....           2,400  5 minutes.......             192
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    Totals..................           2,050  ................           3,517  1.7 hours.......           5,967
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    Total Burden Cost (capital/startup): $0.
    Total Burden Cost (operating/maintaining): $5,585.
    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: November 24, 1999.
Jay Mattos,
Acting Director, Program Evaluation and Information Resources.
[FR Doc. 99-31177 Filed 11-30-99; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4510-43-M