[Federal Register Volume 76, Number 22 (Wednesday, February 2, 2011)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 5719-5729]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2011-2255]


 ========================================================================
 Proposed Rules
                                                 Federal Register
 ________________________________________________________________________
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 This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER contains notices to the public of 
 the proposed issuance of rules and regulations. The purpose of these 
 notices is to give interested persons an opportunity to participate in 
 the rule making prior to the adoption of the final rules.
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 

  Federal Register / Vol. 76, No. 22 / Wednesday, February 2, 2011 / 
Proposed Rules  

[[Page 5719]]



DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Mine Safety and Health Administration

30 CFR Part 104

RIN 1219-AB73


Pattern of Violations

AGENCY: Mine Safety and Health Administration, Labor.

ACTION: Proposed rule; notice of close of comment period.

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

SUMMARY: The Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) is proposing 
to revise the Agency's existing regulation for pattern of violations 
(POV). MSHA has determined that the existing regulation does not 
adequately achieve the intent of the Federal Mine Safety and Health Act 
of 1977 (Mine Act) that the POV provision be used to address operators 
who have demonstrated a disregard for the safety and health of miners. 
Congress included the POV provision in the Mine Act so that operators 
would manage safety and health conditions at mines and find and fix the 
root causes of significant and substantial (S&S) violations to protect 
the safety and health of miners. The proposal would simplify the 
existing POV criteria, improve consistency in applying the POV 
criteria, and more adequately achieve the statutory intent. It would 
also encourage chronic violators to comply with the Mine Act and MSHA's 
safety and health standards.

DATES: MSHA must receive comments by midnight Eastern Standard Time on 
April 4, 2011.

ADDRESSES: Comments must be identified with ``RIN 1219-AB73'' and may 
be sent to MSHA by any of the following methods:
     Federal E-Rulemaking Portal: http://www.regulations.gov. 
Follow the on-line instructions for submitting comments.
     Electronic mail: [email protected]. Include ``RIN 
1219-AB73'' in the subject line of the message.
     Facsimile: 202-693-9441. Include ``RIN 1219-AB73'' in the 
subject line of the message.
     Regular Mail: MSHA, Office of Standards, Regulations, and 
Variances, 1100 Wilson Boulevard, Room 2350, Arlington, Virginia 22209-
3939.
     Hand Delivery or Courier: MSHA, Office of Standards, 
Regulations, and Variances, 1100 Wilson Boulevard, Room 2350, 
Arlington, Virginia. Sign in at the receptionist's desk on the 21st 
floor.
    Information Collection Requirements:
    Comments concerning the information collection requirements of this 
proposed rule must be clearly identified with ``RIN 1219-AB73'' and 
sent to both the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) and MSHA. 
Comments to OMB may be sent by mail addressed to the Office of 
Information and Regulatory Affairs, Office of Management and Budget, 
New Executive Office Building, 725 17th Street, NW., Washington, DC 
20503, Attn: Desk Officer for MSHA. Comments to MSHA may be transmitted 
by any of the methods listed above in this section.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: April E. Nelson, Acting Director, 
Office of Standards, Regulations, and Variances, MSHA, at 
[email protected] (e-mail); 202-693-9440 (voice); or 202-693-9441 
(facsimile).

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Table of Contents

I. Introduction
II. Background and Regulatory History
III. Section-by-Section Analysis
IV. Preliminary Regulatory Economic Analysis
V. Feasibility
VI. Regulatory Flexibility Analysis and Small Business Regulatory 
Enforcement Fairness Act (SBREFA)
VII. Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995
VIII. Other Regulatory Considerations
IX. References

I. Introduction

Availability of Information

    Public Comments: MSHA will post all comments on the Internet 
without change, including any personal information provided. Access 
comments electronically at http://www.msha.gov/regsinfo.htm. Review 
comments in person at the Office of Standards, Regulations, and 
Variances, 1100 Wilson Boulevard, Room 2350, Arlington, Virginia. Sign 
in at the receptionist's desk on the 21st floor.
    E-mail notification: MSHA maintains a list that enables subscribers 
to receive e-mail notification when the Agency publishes rulemaking 
documents in the Federal Register. To subscribe, go to http://www.msha.gov/subscriptions/subscribe.aspx.
    Information Collection Supporting Statement: A copy of the 
information collection package can be obtained from the Department of 
Labor by electronic mail request to Michel Smyth at 
[email protected] or by phone request to 202-693-4129.

II. Background and Regulatory History

A. Statutory Provision

    In enacting the Mine Act, Congress included the pattern of 
violations (POV) provision in section 104(e) to provide MSHA with an 
additional enforcement tool to protect miners when the operator 
demonstrated a disregard for the safety and health of miners. The need 
for such a provision was forcefully demonstrated during the 
investigation of the Scotia Mine disaster, which occurred in 1976 in 
Eastern Kentucky. (S. Rep. No. 181, 95th Cong., 1st Sess. at 32.) As a 
result of explosions on March 9 and 11, 1976, caused by dangerous 
accumulations of methane, 23 miners and three mine inspectors lost 
their lives. The Scotia Mine had a chronic history of persistent, 
serious violations that were cited over and over by MSHA. After abating 
the violations, the operator would permit the same violations to recur, 
repeatedly exposing miners to the same hazards. The accident 
investigation showed that MSHA's then-existing enforcement program was 
unable to address the Scotia Mine's history of recurring violations.
    The Mine Act places the ultimate responsibility for ensuring the 
safety and health of miners on mine operators. The legislative history 
of the Mine Act emphasizes that Congress reserved the POV provision for 
mine operators with a record of repeated S&S violations. Congress 
intended the POV sanction to attain remedial action from operators 
``who have not responded to the Agency's other enforcement efforts.'' 
(55 FR 31129) The legislative history states that Congress believed 
that the existence of a pattern would signal to both the

[[Page 5720]]

mine operator and the Secretary that ``there is a need to restore the 
mine to effective safe and healthful conditions and that the mere 
abatement of violations as they are cited is insufficient.'' (S. Rep. 
No. 181, supra at 33.)
    The Mine Act does not define ``pattern of violations,'' but section 
104(e)(4) authorizes the Secretary to establish criteria for 
determining when a pattern of violations of mandatory safety or health 
standards exists. Congress provided the Secretary with broad discretion 
in establishing pattern criteria, recognizing that MSHA may need to 
modify the criteria as experience dictates.

B. Regulatory History

    MSHA first proposed a POV regulation in 1980 (45 FR 54656). That 
proposal included: Purpose and scope, initial screening, pattern 
criteria, issuance of notice, and termination of notice. Commenters 
were generally opposed to the 1980 proposal. They stated that the 
proposal was complex, too statistically oriented, overbroad, and vague. 
In addition, they stated that the rulemaking was untimely because of 
litigation then pending before the Federal Mine Safety and Health 
Review Commission (Commission) concerning MSHA's interpretation of the 
S&S provisions of the Mine Act. Commenters also stated that review of 
the Agency's then pending regulation for assessment of civil penalties 
could affect the POV proposal.
    On February 8, 1985 (50 FR 5470), MSHA announced its withdrawal of 
the 1980 proposed rule and issued an advance notice of proposed 
rulemaking (ANPRM) that addressed many of the concerns expressed about 
the 1980 proposal. In the 1985 ANPRM, MSHA stated that it intended to 
focus on the safety and health record of each mine rather than on a 
strictly quantitative comparison of mines to industry-wide norms. In 
the ANPRM, MSHA stated that the Agency envisioned simplified criteria, 
focusing on two principal areas:
    (1) Were S&S violations common to a particular hazard or did S&S 
violations throughout the mine represent an underlying health and 
safety problem, and
    (2) Is the mine on a section 104(d) unwarrantable failure sequence, 
indicating that other enforcement measures had been ineffective.
    MSHA requested suggestions for additional factors the Agency should 
use in determining whether a POV exists and requested ideas on 
administrative procedures for terminating a pattern notice.
    MSHA published a second proposed rule on May 30, 1989 (54 FR 
23156), which included criteria and procedures for identifying mines 
with a pattern of S&S violations. The 1989 proposal included procedures 
for initial identification of mines developing a pattern of violations; 
criteria for determining whether a pattern of violations exists at a 
mine; notification procedures that would provide both the mine operator 
and miners' representative an opportunity to respond to the Agency's 
evaluation that a pattern of violations may exist; and procedures for 
terminating a pattern notice. The 1989 proposal addressed the major 
issues raised by commenters. Commenters' primary concerns were MSHA's 
policies for enforcing the S&S provisions of the Mine Act, the civil 
penalty regulation, and MSHA's enforcement of the unwarrantable failure 
provision of the Mine Act. MSHA held two public hearings and issued a 
final rule on July 31, 1990 (55 FR 31128).
    The existing rule established MSHA's criteria and procedures for 
identifying mines with a POV. The existing rule reflected MSHA's belief 
that Congress intended the POV sanction to be directed at restoring 
mines to a safe and healthful condition.
    Until mid-2007, POV screening was decentralized and lacked a 
consistent, structured approach. MSHA District offices were responsible 
for conducting the required annual POV screening of mines. Following 
the accidents at the Sago, Darby, and Aracoma mines in early 2006, MSHA 
began developing a centralized, quantifiable POV screening process. 
MSHA initiated its newly developed Pattern of Violations Screening 
Criteria and Scoring Model in mid-2007 and updated and revised the 
screening criteria and procedures in 2010. MSHA uses a computer program 
based on this screening criteria and scoring model to generate lists of 
mines with a potential pattern of violations (PPOV).

III. Section-by-Section Analysis

    MSHA is proposing the following changes to its existing pattern of 
violations regulation.

A. Section 104.1 Purpose and Scope

    Proposed Sec.  104.1 would provide the purpose and scope of the 
proposal and is unchanged from the existing provision.

B. Section 104.2 Pattern Criteria

    Proposed Sec.  104.2 would combine existing Sec. Sec.  104.2 and 
104.3. It would specify the general criteria that MSHA would use to 
identify mines with a pattern of violations. MSHA would review 
compliance, accident, injury, and illness records. MSHA believes that 
the proposed rule would simplify the process for determining whether a 
mine has a pattern of violations and would more accurately reflect the 
statutory intent. Consistent with the Mine Act, the proposed rule would 
eliminate all references to initial screening criteria.
    Proposed Sec.  104.2(a) would provide that the specific criteria 
(e.g., number of S&S violations issued in the previous year) used in 
the review to identify mines with a pattern of S&S violations would be 
posted on MSHA's website at http://www.msha.gov. MSHA requests specific 
comments on how the agency should obtain comment during the development 
of, and periodic revision to, the POV screening criteria. MSHA also 
requests comments on the best methods for notifying mine operators of 
changes to these criteria. Under the proposal, MSHA would review:
    (1) Citations for significant and substantial violations;
    (2) Orders under section 104(b) of the Act for not abating 
significant and substantial violations;
    (3) Citations and withdrawal orders under section 104(d) of the 
Act, resulting from the operator's unwarrantable failure to comply;
    (4) Imminent danger orders under section 107(a) of the Act;
    (5) Orders under section 104(g) of the Act requiring withdrawal of 
miners who have not received training and who the inspector declares to 
be a hazard to themselves and others;
    (6) Enforcement measures, other than section 104(e) of the Act, 
which have been applied at the mine;
    (7) Other information that demonstrates a serious safety or health 
management problem at the mine, such as accident, injury, and illness 
records; and
    (8) Mitigating circumstances.
    MSHA believes that posting the specific criteria and compliance 
data that the Agency would use on the website would allow mine 
operators to monitor their compliance record against the proposed POV 
criteria. Some mines have personnel who, currently, are requesting this 
information from MSHA. This website would reduce the effort for these 
mine operators. Access to this information through a searchable 
database would provide operators an opportunity to evaluate their 
record and determine whether they are approaching proposed POV criteria 
levels. This would enable operators to proactively implement measures 
to improve safety and health at their mines and to bring

[[Page 5721]]

their mines into compliance. Posting the specific pattern criteria on 
MSHA's website will promote openness and transparency and encourage 
operators to examine their compliance record more closely, ascertain 
whether they have any recurring problems, and enhance the safety and 
health of miners. MSHA believes that sharing this information 
facilitates a more proactive approach to safety and health on the part 
of all involved with miner safety and health. In addition, MSHA 
believes that the ready availability of compliance data will eliminate 
the need to inform operators of a potential pattern of violations 
(PPOV). MSHA believes that this is an improvement over the existing 
process because it allows operators to continually evaluate their 
compliance performance.
    Under proposed Sec.  104.2(a)(1), like the existing provision, MSHA 
would consider a mine's S&S violations.
    Like the existing provision, proposed Sec.  104.2(a)(2) would 
require MSHA to consider closure orders issued under section 104(b) of 
the Mine Act that resulted from S&S violations.
    Proposed Sec.  104.2(a)(3), like existing Sec.  104.3(a)(3), would 
require MSHA to consider unwarrantable failure citations and withdrawal 
orders issued under sections 104(d)(1) and (d)(2) of the Mine Act. 
Unwarrantable failure citations and orders often constitute S&S 
violations that are the types of serious, repeated violations that 
Congress intended to address in a POV regulation.
    Proposed Sec.  104.2(a)(4), like existing Sec.  104.2(a)(3), would 
require MSHA to consider imminent danger withdrawal orders issued under 
section 107(a) of the Mine Act.
    Proposed Sec.  104.2(a)(5), derived from existing Sec.  
104.2(b)(1), would require MSHA to consider orders issued under section 
104(g) of the Act.
    Proposed Sec.  104.2(a)(6), like existing Sec.  104.2(b)(1), would 
require that MSHA consider enforcement measures other than section 
104(e) of the Act, which have been applied at the mine.
    Proposed Sec.  104.2(a)(7) would clarify MSHA's intent that the 
proposed POV criteria include consideration of operations with serious 
safety and health management problems. It is derived from the existing 
regulation and the legislative history of the Mine Act.\1\ It would 
require MSHA to consider other information, such as accident, injury, 
and illness records, that may reveal a serious safety or health 
management problem at a mine. This other information may also include: 
Enforcement measures, other than POV, applied at the mine; evidence of 
the operator's lack of good faith in correcting the problem that 
results in repeated S&S violations; repeated S&S violations of a 
particular standard; repeated S&S violations of standards related to 
the same hazard; and any other relevant information. This is 
essentially the same information addressed in existing Sec. Sec.  
104.2(b)(2) to (b)(3) and 104.3(a)(1) and (a)(2). In addition, in 
making a determination under this aspect of the proposal, MSHA would 
consider: knowing and willful S&S violations; citations and orders 
issued in conjunction with an accident, including orders under sections 
103(j) and (k) of the Mine Act; and S&S violations of safety and health 
standards that contribute to the cause of accidents and injuries. MSHA 
data and experience show that violations of approval, training, or 
recordkeeping regulations, for example, can significantly and 
substantially contribute to safety or health hazards. This is 
especially true where the mine operator allows similar violations to 
occur repeatedly.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \1\ The Committee views the 105(d)(1) [now 104(e)] notice as 
indicating to both the mine operator and the Secretary that there 
exists at mine a serious safety and health management problem. 
(Legislative History, Committee Report, p. 620).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Under proposed Sec.  104.2(a)(8), like existing Sec.  104.2(b)(4), 
MSHA would consider mitigating circumstances. Under this proposed 
provision, MSHA would consider the causes of repeated violations that 
may be beyond the operator's control, such as changes in mine ownership 
or mine management, and whether conditions at the mine show a trend of 
significant improvement.
    Under this proposed provision and consistent with the legislative 
history, MSHA would allow operators to take proactive measures to bring 
their mines into compliance. For example, operators who compare their 
compliance record with the POV criteria and determine that they are 
approaching a pattern of violations level may work with MSHA to bring 
their mines into compliance to avoid a POV notice. Under the proposal, 
an operator may submit a written safety and health management program 
to the District Manager for approval. To obtain approval, operators 
should structure safety and health management programs so that MSHA can 
determine whether the program's parameters would result in meaningful, 
measurable, and significant reductions in S&S violations. The operator 
should develop a process and program with measurable benchmarks for 
abating specific violations that could lead to a POV and addressing 
these hazardous conditions at their mines. Using these benchmarks, 
operators would be able to use the MSHA database accessible through the 
Agency's Web site to monitor their safety and health record. Under the 
proposal, MSHA would consider an operator's effective implementation of 
an MSHA-approved safety and health management program as a mitigating 
circumstance.
    The proposed rule would eliminate the existing requirement in Sec.  
104.3(b) that only citations and orders that have become final are to 
be used to identify mines with a potential pattern of violations. This 
proposal is consistent with the language of section 104(e), the 
legislative history of the Mine Act, and the purpose of section 104(e). 
In explaining the need for the POV enforcement tool, Congress pointed 
out that ``the Scotia mine, as well as other mines, had an inspection 
history of recurrent violations, some of which were tragically related 
to the disasters, which the existing enforcement scheme was unable to 
address.'' (S. Rep. No. 181, 95th Cong., 1st Sess. at 32.) The use of 
the phrase ``inspection history'' indicates Congress' intent that POV 
determinations be based on inspection histories, i.e., violations found 
by MSHA during inspections, rather than only on final citations and 
orders.
    The Senate Report specifically noted similarities between sections 
104(d) and 104(e) of the Mine Act and stated that the POV ``sequence 
parallels the current unwarrantable failure sequence.'' (S. Rep. No. 
181, supra, at 33.) This reflects Congress's intent that POV 
determinations, like section 104(d)(1) and (d)(2) determinations, need 
not be final orders. In addition, the Senate Report stated that it was 
``* * * the Committee's intention that the Secretary or his authorized 
representative [] have both [Section 104(d) and Section 104(e)] 
enforcement tools available, and that they [] be used simultaneously if 
the situation warrants.'' (Id at 34.) The proposal to consider non-
final citations and orders to identify mines with a POV is consistent 
with the Mine Act.
    The existing provision limiting MSHA's consideration of citations 
and orders to those that are final restricts MSHA's ability to achieve 
the purpose of the POV provision, consistent with Congressional intent. 
As stated in the Mine Act and its legislative history, the Secretary is 
given broad discretion to ``make such rules as [she] deems necessary to 
establish criteria for determining when a pattern of violations'' 
exists. (30 U.S.C. 814(e)(4)) Congress stated that the Secretary should 
``continually evaluate and modify the pattern of violations criteria as 
she deems necessary.'' (S. Rep. No.

[[Page 5722]]

181, supra at 33.) MSHA's experience with enforcing section 104(e) has 
led the Agency to conclude that it is necessary to modify the final 
order criteria in its existing POV regulation.
    In November 2010, there was a backlog of approximately 88,000 
contested violations pending before the Commission. For cases disposed 
during November, 2010, it took, on average, 518 days for contested 
violations to become final. For a mine with contested citations and 
orders that have not become final, the final order provision does not 
allow MSHA to review the mine's complete recent compliance history when 
assessing whether a POV exists and hinders MSHA's ability to 
effectively enforce section 104(e) of the Mine Act. It can allow 
chronic violators to avoid or delay the POV sanction and to continue 
their repeated pattern of noncompliance with health and safety 
standards, without correcting the underlying problem. The final order 
provision in the existing regulation provides an incentive for 
operators to contest S&S violations to avoid being placed under a POV.
    The fact that the Mine Act requires an operator to abate a hazard 
prior to contesting a violation provides further support for the 
proposed rule. Mine operators must correct the hazardous condition 
within the time set by the MSHA inspector, even if they challenge the 
violation. The proposal to eliminate the existing requirement that only 
final orders be used for POV determination would greatly enhance safety 
and health of miners. Fewer than one percent of citations are reversed. 
Over 700,000 violations were assessed civil penalties that became final 
orders during the five-year period 2006 through 2010, with 3,400 
vacated after they were contested. During the same timeframe, 6,000 of 
the contested violations were modified from S&S to non-S&S.
    Proposed Sec.  104.2(b) would increase the frequency of MSHA's 
review of a mine for a POV from at least once per year under the 
existing regulation to at least twice per year. MSHA determined that an 
annual review would not adequately allow the Agency to identify mines 
with recurring S&S violations. The increased frequency of review would 
allow MSHA to more promptly identify mines with recurring S&S 
violations and take appropriate action. This proposal would also 
encourage operators to more closely examine their compliance records to 
determine whether greater efforts are necessary to comply with the Mine 
Act and MSHA's standards and regulations.

C. Section 104.3 Issuance of Notice

    Proposed Sec.  104.3, renumbered from existing Sec.  104.4, would 
simplify the requirements for issuing a POV notice.
    Proposed Sec.  104.3(a) is similar to existing Sec.  104.4(a). The 
proposal would provide that, when a mine has a POV, the District 
Manager will issue a POV notice to the mine operator that specifies the 
basis for the Agency's action. The District Manager will also provide a 
copy of the POV notice to the representative of miners. The proposed 
provision would delete all references to a PPOV; otherwise it is 
essentially unchanged from the existing requirement.
    MSHA believes that this proposed action would allow the Agency to 
more effectively implement the POV provision in the Mine Act, 
consistent with legislative intent. MSHA's experience and data reveal 
that over the past 3 years, mine operators who received a PPOV letter 
reduced their S&S violations by at least 30 percent. In this same 
period, 6 of 62 operators received more than one PPOV letter. These 
mine operators temporarily reduced their S&S violations, but reverted 
back to allowing the same hazards to occur again and again without 
addressing the underlying causes.
    Proposed Sec.  104.3(b), essentially the same as existing Sec.  
104.4(d), would require that the mine operator post a copy of the POV 
notice on the mine bulletin board and that the notice remain posted 
until MSHA terminates the POV notice. Existing Sec.  104.4(d) requires 
the operator to post all notifications issued under 30 CFR part 104 at 
the mine. The proposal would clarify that the operator post 
notifications issued under this part on the mine bulletin board.
    Proposed Sec.  104.3(c) is a new provision that would restate the 
intent of the Mine Act when a POV notice is issued. It essentially 
restates section 104(e)(1) of the Mine Act and would require MSHA to 
issue an order withdrawing all persons from the affected area of the 
mine if an authorized representative of the Secretary finds any S&S 
violation within 90 days after the issuance of the POV notice. No one 
would be allowed to enter the area affected by the violation until the 
condition has been abated, except those persons referred to in section 
104(c) of the Mine Act who must enter the affected area to correct the 
violation.
    Proposed Sec.  104.3(d) is a new provision that would specifically 
restate the intent of the Mine Act when a POV notice is issued. It 
would provide that if a withdrawal order is issued under proposed Sec.  
104.3(c), any subsequent S&S violation will result in an order 
withdrawing all persons from the affected area of the mine until the 
authorized representative of the Secretary determines that the 
violation has been abated, except those persons identified in section 
104(c) of the Mine Act.

D. Section 104.4 Termination of Notice

    Proposed Sec.  104.4, renumbered from existing Sec.  104.5, 
addresses the termination of a POV notice and continues to provide that 
a POV notice will be terminated if MSHA finds no S&S violations during 
an inspection of the entire mine, or if no withdrawal order for S&S 
violations under section 104(e)(1) of the Mine Act has been issued 
within 90 days of the issuance of the POV notice. MSHA's Pattern of 
Violations (POV) Procedures Summary, posted on MSHA's website, also 
includes requirements for MSHA to conduct a complete inspection of the 
entire mine within 90 days of issuing the POV notice. The Procedures 
Summary states, in part, the following:

    Following notification to the operator of the issuance of a 
Notice of Pattern of Violations, the District Manager shall initiate 
appropriate inspection activities to ensure that the mine is 
inspected in its entirety during the following 90-day period and 
each succeeding inspection cycle until the POV notice is terminated.

    Proposed Sec.  104.4(b), renumbered from existing Sec.  104.5(b), 
is unchanged.

IV. Preliminary Regulatory Economic Analysis

A. Executive Order 12866: Regulatory Planning and Review

    Under Executive Order (E.O.) 12866, the Agency must determine 
whether a regulatory action is ``significant'' and subject to review by 
the Office of Management and Budget (OMB). Section 3(f) of E.O. 12866 
defines a ``significant regulatory action'' as an action that is likely 
to result in a rule: (1) Having an annual effect on the economy of $100 
million or more, or adversely and materially affecting a sector of the 
economy, productivity, competition, jobs, the environment, public 
health or safety, or state, local, or tribal governments or communities 
(also referred to as ``economically significant''); (2) creating 
serious inconsistency or otherwise interfering with an action taken or 
planned by another agency; (3) materially altering the budgetary 
impacts of entitlements, grants, user fees, or loan programs or the 
rights and obligations of recipients

[[Page 5723]]

thereof; or (4) raising novel legal or policy issues arising out of 
legal mandates, the President's priorities, or the principles set forth 
in this Executive Order.
    MSHA has determined that this proposed rule would not have an 
annual effect of $100 million or more on the economy, and is not an 
economically ``significant regulatory action'' pursuant to section 3(f) 
of E.O. 12866. However, the proposed rule is a ``significant'' 
regulatory action because it would likely raise novel legal or policy 
issues. MSHA requests comments on the estimates of costs and benefits 
presented in this proposed rule.
    MSHA has not prepared a separate preliminary regulatory economic 
analysis for this rulemaking. Rather, the analysis is presented below.

B. Industry Profile and Population at Risk

    The proposed rule applies to all mines in the United States. MSHA 
divides the mining industry into two major sectors based on commodity: 
(1) coal mines and (2) metal and nonmetal mines. Each sector is further 
divided by type of operation, e.g., underground mines or surface mines. 
The Agency maintains data on the number of mines and on mining 
employment by mine type and size. MSHA also collects data on the number 
of independent contractor firms and their employees. Each independent 
contractor is issued one MSHA contractor identification number, but may 
work at any mine.
    For the 12 months ending January 2010, the average number of mines 
in operation was 14,100. These mines employed 297,000 miners, including 
contract workers and excluding office workers. There were 8,770 mine 
contractor firms with 88,000 employees, excluding office workers. Table 
IV-1 presents the total number of all mines and miners, by size of 
mine.

    Table IV-1--Average 2009 Number of Mines and Employment (Excluding Office Employees), by Employment Size
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                            Employment at all
                         Size of mine                                  All mines         mines, excluding office
                                                                                                employees
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1-19 Employees................................................                   11,816                   56,489
20-500 Employees..............................................                    2,234                  123,181
501+ Employees................................................                       48                   29,402
Contractors...................................................  .......................                   87,740
                                                               -------------------------------------------------
    Total.....................................................                   14,098                  296,812
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The estimated value of coal produced in U.S. coal mines in 2009 was 
$35.7 billion of which $18.5 billion was from underground coal and 
$17.2 billion from surface coal. The value of coal was estimated from 
the amount of coal produced and the price of coal. MSHA obtained the 
coal production estimates from the Agency's MSIS system and the price 
per ton for coal from the Department of Energy (DOE), Energy 
Information Administration (EIA), Annual Coal Report 2009, October 
2010, Table 28.
    The value of the U.S. mining industry's metal and nonmetal (M/NM) 
output in 2009 was estimated to be approximately $57.1 billion. Metal 
mining contributed an estimated $21.3 billion to the total while the 
nonmetal mining sector contributed an estimated $35.8 billion. The 
value of production estimates are from U.S. Department of the Interior 
(DOI), U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), Mineral Commodity Summaries 2010, 
January 2010, page 8.
    The combined value of production from all U.S. mines in 2009 was 
$92.8 billion. Table IV-2 presents the estimated revenues for all 
mines, by size of mine.

     Table IV-2--Revenues at All Mines, by Employment Size, in 2009
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                  Revenues at all mines
                  Size of mine                      (million dollars)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
1-19 Employees.................................                  $17,450
20-500 Employees...............................                   54,478
501+ Employees.................................                   20,856
                                                ------------------------
    Total......................................                   92,784
------------------------------------------------------------------------

C. Benefits

    Although MSHA does not have an historical basis from which to 
estimate the effects of placing a mine on a pattern of violations 
(POV), the Agency does have some experience with issuing potential 
pattern of violations (PPOV) notifications to operators. MSHA's data 
reveal that although most mine operators significantly improve health 
and safety conditions at their mines after receiving the PPOV 
notification, many later experienced both a decline in health and 
safety and an increase in S&S violations.
    During June 2007 through September 2009, MSHA made PPOV evaluations 
on an average of every six to nine months. During that period, MSHA 
sent 68 PPOV notification letters to 62 mine operators (6 operators 
received more than one notification). After receiving the notification 
letter, of the mines that remained in operation to the next evaluation, 
94 percent reduced the rate of S&S citations and orders by at least 30 
percent and 77 percent reduced the rate of S&S citations and orders to 
levels at or below the national average for similar mines. However, as 
discussed previously in the preamble, improvements at some mines 
declined over time. Of the 62 mine operators that received PPOV 
notification letters during the review period, 6 received a second PPOV 
notification letter. In addition to the 6 mines that received two 
letters, 7 mines were identified in more than one evaluation as meeting 
the

[[Page 5724]]

PPOV criteria but were only sent one letter generally due to mitigating 
circumstances. Compliance at 13 of the 62 mines that received PPOV 
notification letters (21 percent) deteriorated such that each of these 
mines either was sent or could have been sent a second letter.
    Under the existing rule, MSHA identifies mines that meet the 
screening criteria for PPOV. MSHA conducts a review to determine if 
there are mitigating circumstances and issues PPOV notification letters 
as appropriate. The proposed rule would delete the screening process as 
well as all references to a PPOV.
    The proposed rule would establish general criteria that MSHA would 
use to identify mines with a pattern of S&S violations. MSHA would post 
specific criteria that MSHA would use in making POV determinations, 
including a searchable database of mine operator compliance 
information, on the Agency's website. Operators would be able to use 
the specific criteria and the information in the database to 
continually monitor their safety and health performance and determine 
whether they are approaching proposed POV criteria levels.
    Under the proposed rule, MSHA would allow operators to take 
proactive measures to bring their mines into compliance. MSHA would 
consider an operator's effective implementation of an MSHA-approved 
safety and health management program as a mitigating circumstance when 
it comes to placing a mine on a POV.
    Under the proposed rule, MSHA projects that operators would 
continually monitor their performance and, if they believe that they 
are approaching a POV, would take action to improve their safety and 
health performance. MSHA projects that, under the proposed rule, most 
mine operators who see that their mines are close to a POV would 
institute an MSHA-approved safety and health management program to 
lessen the probability of being placed on a POV and the possibility of 
being issued closures. MSHA projects that this would result in more 
mines taking action than those issued PPOV notifications under the 
existing procedure.
    Closure orders can have a substantial impact on the ability of a 
mine to conduct its business. The threat of closure provides a strong 
incentive for operators to ensure that S&S violations do not recur. 
MSHA projects that few operators would risk such an occurrence.
    MSHA projects that under the proposal, which would increase the 
frequency of MSHA's review of a mine for a POV from once to twice per 
year, on average, approximately 50 mine operators per year would submit 
a safety and health management program to MSHA for approval as a 
mitigating circumstance. Under the proposed rule, MSHA would allow 
operators to take proactive measures to bring their mines into 
compliance with MSHA standards and regulations, reducing the 
probability of these mines being on a POV. MSHA further projects that 
an average of approximately 10 mines per year (i.e., those that would 
not take proactive action, such as instituting an MSHA-approved safety 
and health management program) would be issued POV notifications. MSHA 
requests comments on these estimates which are likely to vary from year 
to year.
    MSHA used the Agency's experience with PPOV notification letters to 
estimate the impact that the proposed mitigating circumstance provision 
(including the opportunity for operators to submit safety and health 
management programs) would have on the number of nonfatal injuries at 
mines. MSHA determined that 62 mines which received PPOV notification 
letters (6 received two notifications) during the June 2007 through 
September 2009 period experienced, on average, 11 nonfatal injuries 
during the year prior to receiving the letter and eight nonfatal 
injuries during the year after receiving the letter. MSHA used the one 
year period before and after PPOV notification as a basis for 
comparison because, as was previously noted, improvements at some mines 
declined over time and because a longer period was not available for 
some mines (i.e., mines that were issued PPOV notifications in 
September 2009).
    Based on the projection that 50 mines per year would average three 
fewer nonfatal injuries in the first year after implementing an MSHA-
approved safety and health management program, MSHA projects that the 
number of nonfatal injuries would be reduced by a minimum of 150 (50 
mines x 3 nonfatal injuries per mine) per year. MSHA believes that this 
is a low estimate for the following reasons:
     It is likely that including measurable benchmarks for 
abating specific violations and addressing hazardous conditions in the 
MSHA-approved safety and health management programs would make these 
programs more effective than the measures that recipients of the PPOV 
notification letters have historically instituted.
     The estimate does not include any reductions in the number 
of fatalities. Because mine fatalities occur on a less frequent basis 
than do injuries, the Agency does not believe that it has a reliable 
basis upon which to project a reduction in fatalities. However, the 
Agency believes that the implementation of an MSHA-approved safety and 
health management program would reduce fatalities.
     The estimate does not include any projected improvement at 
the 10 mines that would not institute an MSHA-approved safety and 
health management program and would be placed on a POV. However, due to 
the high threshold for getting off a POV under the proposed rule, there 
would likely be injury reductions for this category.
    MSHA also anticipates longer lasting improvements under the 
proposed rule. Of the 62 mines that received PPOV notification letters 
from June 2007 through September 2009, 13 did not have a full second 
year of data following receipt of the PPOV notification letter. Of the 
49 mines that had two full years of data following receipt of the PPOV 
notification letter, 19 (39%) experienced an increase in the number of 
injuries in the second year following receipt of the PPOV notification 
letter compared to the first. MSHA believes that, under the proposed 
rule, fewer mines will experience such increases. Mines that have 
effectively implemented an MSHA-approved safety and health management 
program (to avoid being placed on a POV) would have procedures in place 
to continuously address hazardous conditions. Mines that successfully 
get off of a POV would have increased incentive (see the cost analysis) 
to remain off and would likely institute continuing measures to 
minimize violations and address hazardous conditions.
    MSHA based its estimates of the monetary values for the benefits 
associated with the proposed rule on relevant literature. To estimate 
the monetary values of the reductions in nonfatal injuries, MSHA 
performed an analysis of the imputed value of injuries avoided based on 
a willingness-to-pay approach. This approach relies on the theory of 
compensating wage differentials (i.e., the wage premium paid to workers 
to accept the risk associated with various jobs) in the labor market. A 
number of studies have shown a correlation between higher job risk and 
higher wages, suggesting that employees demand monetary compensation in 
return for incurring a greater risk.
    Viscusi & Aldy (2003) conducted an analysis of studies that use a 
willingness-to-pay methodology to estimate the imputed value of life-
saving programs (i.e., meta-analysis) and

[[Page 5725]]

found that the value of each lost work-day injury prevented was 
approximately $50,000 in 2000 dollars. Using the GDP Deflator (U.S. 
Bureau of Economic Analysis, 2010), this yields an estimate of $62,000 
for each lost work-day injury avoided in 2009 dollars.
    MSHA recognizes that willingness-to-pay estimates involve 
uncertainty and imprecision. Although MSHA is using the Viscusi & Aldy 
(2003) study as the basis for monetizing the expected benefits of the 
proposed rule, the Agency does so with several reservations, given the 
methodological difficulties involved in estimating the compensating 
wage differentials (see Hintermann, Alberini, and Markandya, 2008). 
Furthermore, these estimates pooled across different industries may not 
capture the unique circumstances faced by miners. For example, some 
have suggested that the models be disaggregated to account for 
different levels of risk, as might occur in coal mining (see Sunstein, 
2004). In addition, miners may have few options of alternative 
employers and, in some cases, only one employer (near-monopsony or 
monopsony) that may depress wages below those in a more competitive 
labor market. In the future, MSHA plans to work with other agencies to 
refine the approach taken in this proposed rule.
    Based on the estimated prevention of 150 nonfatal injuries per 
year, the proposed rule would result in monetized benefits of 
approximately $9.3 million per year (150 nonfatal injuries x $62,000 
per injury). MSHA believes that this is a low estimate for the total 
benefits of the proposed rule for the reasons stated above. MSHA 
solicits comments on the benefit estimates.

D. Compliance Costs

    Proposed Sec.  104.3(c) would require MSHA to issue an order 
withdrawing all persons from the affected area of the mine if any S&S 
violation is found within 90 days after the issuance of the POV notice. 
No one would be allowed to enter the area affected by the violation 
until the condition has been abated, except those persons who must 
enter the affected area to correct the violation.
    Under proposed Sec.  104.3(d), if a withdrawal order is issued 
under proposed Sec.  104.3(c), any subsequent S&S violation would 
result in an order withdrawing all persons from the affected area of 
the mine until the authorized representative of the Secretary 
determines that the violation has been abated, except those persons who 
must enter the affected area to correct the violation.
    Closure orders can have a substantial effect on the ability of a 
mine to conduct its business. The threat of closure provides a strong 
incentive for operators to ensure that S&S violations do not recur. As 
was noted under benefits, MSHA anticipates that few operators would 
risk such an occurrence. Rather than risking a POV and the possibility 
of a closure, MSHA projects that mine operators would monitor their 
compliance record against the proposed POV criteria using the Agency's 
website. MSHA estimates that it will take a supervisor an average of 5 
minutes each month to monitor each mine's performance using the 
Agency's website. Based on the average supervisory wage rate for all 
mining in 2009 of $65.05 per hour, MSHA estimates that the yearly cost 
for all mine operators to monitor their performance would be about $0.9 
million (14,098 mines x 5/60 hours per month x 12 months per year x 
$65.05 per hour).
    However, MSHA believes that this may be an overestimate. As was 
noted above, some operators are currently requesting this information 
from MSHA. Making the information available on the Agency's Web site 
would reduce the costs for these mine operators. MSHA requests comments 
on the burden that monitoring compliance record against the proposed 
POV criteria using the Agency's Web site would place on mine operators.
    MSHA projects that approximately 50 mine operators each year would 
submit a safety and health management program to MSHA for approval as a 
mitigating circumstance. MSHA believes that it would take management 
working with miners to develop and implement an effective safety and 
health management program. MSHA projects that developing such a program 
with meaningful and measurable benchmarks would take about 80 hours of 
a supervisor's time and 80 hours of miners' time. MSHA projects that it 
would take an additional 40 hours of a supervisor's time and 40 hours 
of miners' time during the approval process and that the cost for 
copying and mailing the program and revisions would be about $100. MSHA 
projects it will take 40 hours of a supervisor's time to implementing 
the program plus 120 hours of miners' time to run the program (based on 
an average size mine in terms of employment).
    Although the proposed rule applies to all mining, based on the 
Agency's experience and due to the nature of the mining conditions, 
MSHA projects that the proposed rule would have a greater impact on 
underground coal mining than any other mining sector. During the period 
June 2007 through September 2009, underground coal mine operators 
received nearly 80 percent of the PPOV notifications. Rather than using 
the wage rates for all mining as was done to estimate the costs for 
monitoring mine performance, MSHA used the 2009 underground coal mine 
hourly wage rates of $84.70 for a supervisor and $35.30 for a miner to 
estimate these costs. Since the hourly wage rates in underground coal 
mining are higher than those in surface coal and metal/nonmetal mining, 
this approach could overstate the estimated costs.
    The average cost of developing and implementing an approved safety 
and health program at a mine would be approximately $22,100 (160 hours 
of a supervisor's time x $84.70 per hour + 240 hours of miners' time x 
$35.30 per hour + $100). MSHA anticipates that, each year, the 
projected 50 mines that would choose to implement an MSHA-approved 
safety and health management program would incur costs of approximately 
$1.1 million.
    Although MSHA does not have a historical basis from which to 
estimate the potential costs that would be incurred by a mine on a POV, 
MSHA determined that a good proxy for these costs would be the 
potential production lost during mine closures while the operators take 
the necessary actions to correct the safety and health violations. MSHA 
projects that a typical mine would lose about 0.5 percent of revenue as 
the result of closures (about 1 or 2 days for a large mine and a day or 
less for a small mine) and that lost revenue due to the closures would 
likely vary considerably among mines depending on the specific 
conditions in the mine. Some mines would likely incur greater than 
average losses while others would incur less than average losses.
    As was noted above, based on the Agency's experience and due to the 
nature of the mining conditions, MSHA projects that the proposed rule 
would affect underground coal mining more than any other mining sector. 
MSHA, therefore, used the revenue in the underground coal sector to 
estimate potential production losses. The average number of underground 
coal mines in operation during a month in 2009 was 424. These mines 
generated an estimated $18.5 billion in revenue in 2009, an average of 
approximately $43.6 million per mine. One-half percent of an average 
mine's revenue is about $218,000.
    MSHA estimates that the projected 10 mines that would be on a POV 
each year

[[Page 5726]]

would potentially incur about $2.2 million in production losses (10 
mines x $218,000 per mine). Since the average revenue per underground 
coal mine is significantly higher than the average revenue produced by 
a mine in the entire mining industry (i.e., $6.6 million per mine = 
$92.8 billion/14,098 mines), this approach could overstate the 
estimated costs.
    MSHA estimates that the total yearly cost of the proposed rule 
would be $4.2 million; $0.9 million for monitoring the performance of 
each mine, $1.1 million for 50 mines developing and implementing MSHA-
approved safety and health management programs, plus $2.2 million for 
10 mines operating under a POV. MSHA's estimates do not include the 
cost of coming into compliance with the underlying regulatory 
requirements. Although these costs can be substantial, they were 
previously attributed to compliance with MSHA's existing regulations 
and are not new compliance costs resulting from the proposed rule. MSHA 
solicits comments on the cost estimates.

E. Net Benefits

    This section presents a summary of the estimated net benefits of 
the proposed rule for informational purposes only. Under the Mine Act, 
MSHA is not required to use estimated net benefits as the basis for its 
decision to promulgate a rule.
    Based on the estimated prevention of 150 nonfatal injuries per 
year, MSHA estimates that the proposed rule would result in monetized 
benefits of $9.3 million per year (150 nonfatal injuries per year x 
$62,000 per injury) compared to estimated costs of $4.2 million per 
year, for an estimated net benefit of approximately $5.1 million per 
year. MSHA solicits comments on the net benefit estimate.

V. Feasibility

    MSHA has concluded that the requirements of the pattern of 
violations proposed rule are technologically and economically feasible.

A. Technological Feasibility

    MSHA concludes that this proposed rule is technologically feasible. 
The proposed rule is not technology-forcing. In order to avoid a POV, 
mine operators would have to comply with existing MSHA regulations, 
which have previously been determined to be technologically feasible.

B. Economic Feasibility

    MSHA also concludes that this proposed rule is economically 
feasible. Mine operators can avoid the expenses of being placed on a 
pattern of violations by complying with existing MSHA regulations, all 
of which have previously been found to be economically feasible. For 
those mine operators who are in danger of a POV, MSHA will consider the 
institution of an approved safety and health management program as a 
mitigating circumstance. MSHA expects few mines (about 10 per year) 
would incur the potential expenses associated with closures while on a 
POV.
    MSHA has traditionally used a revenue screening test--whether the 
yearly compliance costs of a regulation are less than one percent of 
revenues--to establish presumptively that compliance with the 
regulation is economically feasible for the mining community. Based on 
this test, MSHA has concluded that the requirements of the proposed 
rule are economically feasible. The estimated annual compliance costs 
of the proposed rule to mine operators are $4.2 million, which are 
insignificant compared to total annual revenue of $92.8 billion for the 
mining industry (i.e., significantly less that one percent of the 
mining industry's $92.8 billion revenue, which is $928 million). Even 
if all of the costs were borne by the underground coal industry, the 
estimated $4.2 million cost of the proposed rule is about 0.02 percent 
of the underground coal industry's 2009 revenue of $18.5 billion. MSHA, 
therefore, concludes that compliance with the provisions of the 
proposed rule would be economically feasible for the mining industry.

VI. Regulatory Flexibility Act and Small Business Regulatory 
Enforcement Fairness Act (SBREFA)

    Pursuant to the Regulatory Flexibility Act (RFA) of 1980, as 
amended by SBREFA, MSHA has analyzed the impact of the proposed rule on 
small businesses. Based on that analysis, MSHA has notified the Chief 
Counsel for Advocacy, Small Business Administration (SBA), and made the 
certification under the RFA at 5 U.S.C. 605(b) that the proposed rule 
would not have a significant economic impact on a substantial number of 
small entities. The factual basis for this certification is presented 
below.

A. Definition of a Small Mine

    Under the RFA, in analyzing the impact of the proposed rule on 
small entities, MSHA must use the SBA definition for a small entity or, 
after consultation with the SBA Office of Advocacy, establish an 
alternative definition for the mining industry by publishing that 
definition in the Federal Register for notice and comment. MSHA has not 
taken such an action and is required to use the SBA definition. The SBA 
defines a small entity in the mining industry as an establishment with 
500 or fewer employees.
    In addition to examining small entities as defined by SBA, MSHA has 
also looked at the impact of this proposed rule on mines with fewer 
than 20 employees, which MSHA and the mining community have 
traditionally referred to as ``small mines.'' These small mines differ 
from larger mines not only in the number of employees, but also in 
economies of scale in material produced, in the type and amount of 
production equipment, and in supply inventory. The costs of complying 
with the proposed rule and the impact of the proposed rule on small 
mines will also be different. It is for this reason that small mines 
are of special concern to MSHA.
    MSHA concludes that it can certify that the proposed rule would not 
have a significant economic impact on a substantial number of small 
entities that would be covered by this proposed rule. The Agency has 
determined that this is the case both for mines with fewer than 20 
employees and for mines with 500 or fewer employees.

B. Factual Basis for Certification

    Mine operators can avoid the expenses of being placed on a POV by 
complying with MSHA regulations. Under the proposed rule, MSHA will 
consider the institution of an approved safety and health management 
program as a mitigating circumstance for those mine operators who are 
placed on a pattern. MSHA expects few mines (about 10 per year) would 
incur the potential expenses associated with closure orders under a 
POV.
    MSHA initially evaluates the impacts on ``small entities'' by 
comparing the estimated compliance costs of a rule for small entities 
in the sector affected by the rule to the estimated revenues for the 
affected sector. When estimated compliance costs are less than one 
percent of the estimated revenues, the Agency believes it is generally 
appropriate to conclude that there is no significant economic impact on 
a substantial number of small entities. When estimated compliance costs 
exceed one percent of revenues, MSHA investigates whether a further 
analysis is required. Since it was not possible to accurately project 
the distribution of mines that would incur the estimated $4.2 million 
to comply with the proposed rule by commodity and size, MSHA examined 
the impact using several alternative assumptions.

[[Page 5727]]

    The average number of mines in operation during a month in 2009 
with 500 or fewer employees was 14,050. These mines generated an 
estimated $71.9 billion in revenue in 2009. Even if all of the costs 
were incurred by mines with 500 or fewer employees, the estimated $4.2 
million in compliance costs would be less than 0.006 percent of the 
revenue generated by all small mines according to the SBA's definition.
    The average number of underground coal mines in operation during a 
month in 2009 with 500 or fewer employees was 412. These mines 
generated an estimated $13.7 billion in revenue in 2009. Even if all of 
the costs were incurred by underground coal mines with 500 or fewer 
employees, the $4.2 million in compliance costs would be about 0.03 
percent of the revenue generated by small underground coal mines 
according to the SBA's definition.
    The average number of mines in operation during a month in 2009 
with 1-19 employees was 11,816. These mines generated an estimated 
$17.4 billion in revenue in 2009. Even if all of the costs were 
incurred by mines with 1-19 employees, the estimated $4.2 million 
compliance costs would be about 0.02 percent of the revenue generated 
by all small mines with fewer than 20 employees.
    The average number of underground coal mines in operation during a 
month in 2009 with 1-19 employees was 81. These mines generated an 
estimated $920 million in revenue in 2009. Even if all of the $4.2 
million in compliance costs were incurred by underground coal mines 
with 1-19 employees, the costs would be about 0.45 percent of the 
revenue generated by small underground coal mines with fewer than 20 
employees.
    Moreover, mine operators can avoid any costs associated with being 
on a POV simply by complying with the law. If an operator has trouble 
complying and is in danger of being on POV, under the proposed rule, 
the implementation of an approved safety and health management program 
would serve as a mitigating circumstance.
    Accordingly, MSHA has certified that the proposed rule would not 
have a significant economic impact on a substantial number of small 
entities.

VII. Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995

A. Summary

    This proposed rule contains a collection-of-information requirement 
subject to review and approval by OMB under the Paperwork Reduction Act 
(PRA). MSHA estimates that under the proposed rule about 50 mines each 
year would develop and implement approved safety and health management 
programs. This would impose information collection requirements related 
to mitigating circumstances under proposed Sec.  104.2(a)(8).
    MSHA expects that developing an approved program with meaningful 
and measurable benchmarks would take about 160 hours of a supervisor's 
time at an hourly wage of $84.70 and 240 hours of miners' time at an 
hourly wage of $35.30. Costs for copying and mailing the program and 
revisions are estimated to be $100 per program.
    The burden of developing and implementing an approved safety and 
health program is 400 hours per mine (160 + 240) and the average cost 
is approximately $22,100 (160 hours of a supervisor's time x $84.70 per 
hour + 240 hours of miners' time x $35.30 per hour + $100).
    Burden Hours: 50 mines x 400 hours per mine = 20,000 hours.
    Burden Costs: 50 mines x $100 per mine = $5,000.

B. Procedural Details

    The information collection package for this proposed rule has been 
submitted to OMB for review under 44 U.S.C. 3504, paragraph (h) of the 
Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, as amended (44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq.). 
MSHA requests comments to:
     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.
    Comments on the information collection requirements should be sent 
to both OMB and MSHA. Addresses for both offices can be found in the 
ADDRESSES section of this preamble. The regulated community is not 
required to respond to any collection of information unless it displays 
a current, valid, OMB control number. MSHA displays the OMB control 
numbers for the information collection requirements in its regulations 
in 30 CFR part 3.

VIII. Other Regulatory Considerations

A. The Unfunded Mandates Reform Act of 1995

    MSHA has reviewed the proposed rule under the Unfunded Mandates 
Reform Act of 1995 (2 U.S.C. 1501 et seq.). MSHA has determined that 
this proposed rule would not include any federal mandate that may 
result in increased expenditures by State, local, or tribal 
governments; nor would it increase private sector expenditures by more 
than $100 million in any one year or significantly or uniquely affect 
small governments. Accordingly, the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act of 
1995 requires no further Agency action or analysis.

B. Executive Order 13132: Federalism

    This proposed rule would not have ``federalism implications'' 
because it would not ``have substantial direct effects on the States, 
on the relationship between the national government and the States, or 
on the distribution of power and responsibilities among the various 
levels of government.'' Accordingly, under E.O. 13132, no further 
Agency action or analysis is required.

C. The Treasury and General Government Appropriations Act of 1999: 
Assessment of Federal Regulations and Policies on Families

    Section 654 of the Treasury and General Government Appropriations 
Act of 1999 (5 U.S.C. 601 note) requires agencies to assess the impact 
of Agency action on family well-being. MSHA has determined that this 
proposed rule would have no effect on family stability or safety, 
marital commitment, parental rights and authority, or income or poverty 
of families and children. This proposed rule impacts only the mining 
industry. Accordingly, MSHA certifies that this proposed rule would not 
impact family well-being.

D. Executive Order 12630: Government Actions and Interference With 
Constitutionally Protected Property Rights

    The proposed rule would not implement a policy with takings 
implications. Accordingly, under E.O. 12630, no further Agency action 
or analysis is required.

E. Executive Order 12988: Civil Justice Reform

    This proposed rule was written to provide a clear legal standard 
for affected conduct and was carefully

[[Page 5728]]

reviewed to eliminate drafting errors and ambiguities, so as to 
minimize litigation and undue burden on the Federal court system. 
Accordingly, this proposed rule would meet the applicable standards 
provided in section 3 of E.O. 12988, Civil Justice Reform.

F. Executive Order 13045: Protection of Children From Environmental 
Health Risks and Safety Risks

    This proposed rule would have no adverse impact on children. 
Accordingly, under E.O. 13045, no further Agency action or analysis is 
required.

G. Executive Order 13175: Consultation and Coordination With Indian 
Tribal Governments

    This proposed rule would not have ``tribal implications'' because 
it would not ``have substantial direct effects on one or more Indian 
tribes, on the relationship between the Federal government and Indian 
tribes, or on the distribution of power and responsibilities between 
the Federal government and Indian tribes.'' Accordingly, under E.O. 
13175, no further Agency action or analysis is required.

H. Executive Order 13211: Actions Concerning Regulations That 
Significantly Affect Energy Supply, Distribution, or Use

    Executive Order 13211 requires agencies to publish a statement of 
energy effects when a rule has a significant energy action (i.e., it 
adversely affects energy supply, distribution or use). MSHA has 
reviewed this proposed rule for its energy effects because the proposed 
rule applies to the coal mining sector. Because this proposed rule 
would result in annual costs of approximately $4.2 million, most of 
which would be incurred by the coal mining industry, relative to annual 
coal mining industry revenues of $35.7 billion in 2009, MSHA has 
concluded that it is not a significant energy action because it is not 
likely to have a significant adverse effect on the supply, 
distribution, or use of energy. Accordingly, under this analysis, no 
further Agency action or analysis is required.

I. Executive Order 13272: Proper Consideration of Small Entities in 
Agency Rulemaking

    MSHA has reviewed the proposed rule to assess and take appropriate 
account of its potential impact on small businesses, small governmental 
jurisdictions, and small organizations. MSHA has determined and 
certified that the proposed rule would not have a significant economic 
impact on a substantial number of small entities.

IX. References

Hintermann, B., Alberini, A., Markandya, A. (2010). ``Estimating the 
Value of Safety with Labor Market Data: Are the Results 
Trustworthy?'' Applied Economics. 42(9):1085-1100. Published 
electronically in July 2008.
Sunstein, C. (2004). ``Valuing Life: A Plea for Disaggregation.'' 
Duke Law Journal, 54 (November 2004): 385-445.
U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (2010). National Income and Product 
Accounts Table: Table 1.1.9. Implicit Price Deflators for Gross 
Domestic Product [Index numbers, 2005 = 100]. Revised May 27, 2010. 
http://www.bea.gov/national/nipaweb/TableView.asp?SelectedTable=13&Freq=Qtr&FirstYear=2006&LastYear=2008.

Viscusi, W. and Aldy, J. (2003). ``The Value of a Statistical Life: 
A Critical Review of Market Estimates Throughout the World,'' 
Journal of Risk and Uncertainty, (27:5-76).

List of Subjects in 30 CFR Part 104

    Administrative practice and procedure, Law enforcement, Mine safety 
and health, Reporting and recordkeeping requirements.

    Dated: January 28, 2011.
Joseph A. Main,
Assistant Secretary of Labor for Mine Safety and Health.

    For the reasons set out in the preamble, and under the authority of 
the Federal Mine Safety and Health Act of 1977 as amended by the Mine 
Improvement and New Emergency Response Act of 2006, MSHA is proposing 
to amend chapter I of title 30 of the Code of Federal Regulations by 
revising part 104 as follows:

PART 104--PATTERN OF VIOLATIONS

Sec.
104.1 Purpose and scope.
104.2 Pattern criteria.
104.3 Issuance of notice.
104.4 Termination of notice.

    Authority: 30 U.S.C. 814(e), 957.


Sec.  104.1  Purpose and scope.

    This part establishes the criteria and procedures for determining 
whether a mine operator has established a pattern of significant and 
substantial (S&S) violations at a mine. It implements section 104(e) of 
the Federal Mine Safety and Health Act of 1977 (Act) by addressing 
mines with an inspection history of recurrent S&S violations of 
mandatory safety or health standards that demonstrate a mine operator's 
disregard for the safety and health of miners. The purpose of the 
procedures in this part is the restoration of effective safe and 
healthful conditions at such mines.


Sec.  104.2  Pattern criteria.

    (a) Specific pattern criteria will be posted on MSHA's Web site at 
http://www.msha.gov and used in the review to identify mines with a 
pattern of S&S violations. The review will include:
    (1) Citations for significant and substantial violations;
    (2) Orders under section 104(b) of the Act for not abating 
significant and substantial violations;
    (3) Citations and withdrawal orders under section 104(d) of the 
Act, resulting from the operator's unwarrantable failure to comply;
    (4) Imminent danger orders under section 107(a) of the Act;
    (5) Orders under section 104(g) of the Act requiring withdrawal of 
miners who have not received training and who the inspector declares to 
be a hazard to themselves and others;
    (6) Enforcement measures, other than section 104(e) of the Act, 
which have been applied at the mine;
    (7) Other information that demonstrates a serious safety or health 
management problem at the mine such as accident, injury, and illness 
records; and
    (8) Mitigating circumstances.
    (b) At least two times each year, MSHA will review the compliance 
and accident, injury, and illness records of mines to determine if any 
mines meet the criteria posted on MSHA's Web site.


Sec.  104.3  Issuance of notice.

    (a) When a mine has a pattern of violations, the District Manager 
will issue a pattern of violations notice to the mine operator that 
specifies the basis for the Agency's action. The District Manager will 
also provide a copy of this notice to the representative of miners.
    (b) The mine operator shall post a copy of the notice on the mine 
bulletin board. The notice shall remain posted at the mine until it is 
terminated under Sec.  104.4 of this part.
    (c) If, on any inspection within 90 days after issuance of the 
pattern notice, an authorized representative of the Secretary finds any 
S&S violation, he shall issue an order for the withdrawal of all 
persons from the affected area, except those persons referred to in 
section 104(c) of the Act, until the condition has been abated.
    (d) If a withdrawal order is issued under paragraph (c) of this 
section, any subsequent S&S violation will result in a withdrawal order 
that shall remain in effect until the authorized

[[Page 5729]]

representative of the Secretary determines that the violation has been 
abated.


Sec.  104.4  Termination of notice.

    (a) Termination of a section 104(e)(1) pattern of violations notice 
shall occur when an MSHA inspection of the entire mine finds no S&S 
violations, or if no withdrawal order is issued by MSHA in accordance 
with section 104(e)(1) of the Act within 90 days of the issuance of the 
pattern notice.
    (b) The mine operator may request an inspection of the entire mine 
or portion of the mine. No advance notice of the inspection shall be 
provided, and the scope of inspection shall be determined by MSHA. 
Partial mine inspections-covering the entire mine within 90 days shall 
constitute an inspection of the entire mine for the purposes of this 
part.

[FR Doc. 2011-2255 Filed 1-31-11; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4510-43-P