[Federal Register Volume 71, Number 57 (Friday, March 24, 2006)]
[Notices]
[Page 14950]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E6-4275]


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DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Office of the Secretary


Submission for OMB Review: Comment Request

March 21, 2006.
    The Department of Labor (DOL) has submitted the following public 
information collection request (ICR) to the Office of Management and 
Budget (OMB) for review and approval in accordance with the Paperwork 
Reduction Act of 1995 (Pub. L. 104-13, 44 U.S.C. chapter 35). A copy of 
this ICR, with applicable supporting documentation, may be obtained by 
contacting Darrin King on 202-693-4129 (this is not a toll-free number) 
or e-mail: [email protected].
    Comments should be sent to Office of Information and Regulatory 
Affairs, Attn: OMB Desk Officer for the Mine Safety and Health 
Administration (MSHA), Office of Management and Budget, Room 10235, 
Washington, DC 20503, 202-395-7316 (this is not a toll-free number), 
within 30 days from the date of this publication in the Federal 
Register.
    The OMB 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 submission of responses.
    Agency: Mine Safety and Health Administration.
    Type of Review: Extension of currently approved collection.
    Title: Roof Control Plans.
    OMB Number: 1219-0004.
    Frequency: On occasion.
    Type of Response: Recordkeeping and Reporting.
    Affected Public: Business or other for-profit.
    Number of Respondents: 627.
    Number of Annual Responses: 2,465.
    Average Response Time: 24 hours for new plans; 5 hours to revise a 
plan; and 5 minutes to plot each unplanned roof fall, rib fall, and 
coal rock burst on a mine map when such incidents meet the criteria 
specified in 30 CFR 75.223(b).
    Total Annual Burden Hours: 6,919.
    Total Annualized Capital/startup Costs: $0.
    Total Annual Costs (Operating/maintaining Systems or Purchasing 
Services): $4,630.
    Description: 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 six months by the Secretary.
    Under 30 CFR 75.220 each mine operator shall develop and follow a 
roof control plan, approved by the District Manager, that is suitable 
to the prevailing geological conditions, and the mining system to be 
used at the mine. Additional measures shall be taken to protect persons 
if unusual hazards are encountered.
    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 holds will be drilled (if 
appropriate); and (11) a description of the methods to be used for the 
protection of persons. Under 30 CFR 75.215, the roof control plan for 
each longwall mining section is required to specify the methods that 
will be 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 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. Mine operators are also required 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. 
The regulation also requires MSHA to review the plan every 6 months.
    Roof Control plans provide the means to instruct miners, who 
install roof supports, in the proper use and placement of roof 
supports. The plan also provides a reference for mine supervisors to 
ensure that the mine is in compliance with the MSHA regulations 
relating to roof control. Roof control plans are evaluated by MSHA 
personnel to assure that mine operators have complied with the 
regulatory provisions outlined in 30 CFR 75.202 through 75.214. MSHA 
inspectors also refer to the plans when they are conducting safety and 
health inspections at the mines. Approved roof control plans from the 
different MSHA coal mine safety and health districts are reviewed by 
MSHA roof control specialists to determine compliance with the 
regulations and to evaluate the roof and rib support methods used to 
provide a safe working environment.

Ira L. Mills,
Departmental Clearance Officer.
[FR Doc. E6-4275 Filed 3-23-06; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4510-43-P