[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 128 (Wednesday, July 3, 2013)]
[Notices]
[Pages 40195-40196]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2013-16051]


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DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Mine Safety and Health Administration


Proposed Information Collection; Application for a Permit To Fire 
More than 20 Boreholes and/or for the use of Nonpermissible Blasting 
Units, Explosives, and Shot-Firing Units; Posting Notices of Misfires

AGENCY: Mine Safety and Health Administration, Labor.

ACTION: Request for public comments.

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SUMMARY: The Department of Labor, as part of its continuing effort to 
reduce paperwork and respondent burden, conducts a pre-clearance 
consultation program to provide the general public and Federal agencies 
with an opportunity to comment on proposed and continuing collections 
of information in accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 
[44 U.S.C. 3506(c)(2)(A)] (PRA). This program helps to assure 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 information collection for 
developing and updating Application for a Permit to Fire More than 20 
Boreholes and/or for the use of Nonpermissible Blasting Units, 
Explosives, and Shot-firing Units; Posting Notices of Misfires.

DATES: All comments must be postmarked or received by midnight Eastern 
Standard Time on September 3, 2013.

ADDRESSES: Comments concerning the information collection requirements 
of this notice may be sent by any of the methods listed below.
     Federal E-Rulemaking Portal: http://www.regulations.gov. 
Follow the on-line instructions for submitting comments for docket 
number [MSHA-2013-0018].
     Regular Mail or Hand Delivery: MSHA, Office of Standards, 
Regulations, and Variances, 1100 Wilson Boulevard, Room 2350, 
Arlington, VA 22209-3939.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Sheila McConnell, Deputy Director, 
Office of Standards, Regulations, and Variances, MSHA, at 
[email protected] (email); 202-693-9440 (voice); or 202-693-
9441 (facsimile).

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Background

    Under Section 313 of the Federal Mine Safety and Health Act of 1977 
(Mine Act), 30 U.S.C. 873, any explosives used in underground coal 
mines must be permissible with certain exceptions. The Mine Act also 
provides that, under safeguards prescribed by the Secretary of Labor, a 
mine operator may permit the firing of more than 20 shots and the use 
of nonpermissible explosives in sinking shafts and slopes from the 
surface in rock. Title 30 CFR 75.1321 outlines the procedures by which 
a permit may be issued for the firing of more than 20 boreholes and/or 
the use of nonpermissible blasting units in underground coal mines. In 
those instances in which there is a misfire of explosives, Sec.  
75.1327 requires that a qualified person post each accessible entrance 
to the affected area with a warning to prohibit entry. Section 77.1909-
1 outlines the procedures by which a coal mine operator may apply for a 
permit to use nonpermissible explosives and/or shot-firing units in the 
blasting of rock while sinking shafts or slopes for underground coal 
mines.

II. Desired Focus of Comments

    The Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) is soliciting 
comments concerning the proposed extension of the information 
collection related to Application for a Permit to Fire More than 20 
Boreholes and/or for the use of Nonpermissible Blasting Units, 
Explosives, and Shot-firing Units; Posting Notices of Misfires. MSHA is 
particularly interested in comments that:
     Evaluate whether the collection of information is 
necessary for the proper

[[Page 40196]]

performance of the functions of the agency, including whether the 
information has practical utility;
     Evaluate the accuracy of the MSHA's estimate of the burden 
of the collection of information, including the validity of the 
methodology and assumptions used;
     Suggest methods to 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.
    OMB clearance requests are available on MSHA's Web site at http://www.msha.gov under ``Federal Register Documents'' on the right side of 
the screen by selecting ``New and Existing Information Collections and 
Supporting Statements''. The document will be available on MSHA's Web 
site for 60 days after the publication date of this notice, and on 
http://www.regulations.gov. Because comments will not be edited to 
remove any identifying or contact information, MSHA cautions the 
commenter against including any information in the submission that 
should not be publicly disclosed.
    The public may also examine publicly available documents at MSHA, 
Office of Standards, Regulations, and Variances, 1100 Wilson Boulevard, 
Room 2350, Arlington VA 22209-3939.
    Questions about the information collection requirements may be 
directed to the person listed in the FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT 
section of this notice.

III. Current Actions

    The information obtained will be used to issue permits to mine 
operators or slope contractors for the use of nonpermissible explosives 
and/or shot-firing units. MSHA has used 2012 data for the number of 
respondents and responses, as well as the total burden hours and burden 
costs supporting this information collection request.
    Type of Review: Extension.
    Agency: Mine Safety and Health Administration.
    Title: Application for a Permit to Fire More than 20 Boreholes and/
or for the use of Nonpermissible Blasting Units, Explosives, and Shot-
firing Units; Posting Notices of Misfires.
    OMB Number: 1219-0025.
    Affected Public: Business or other for-profit.
    Total Number of Respondents: 67.
    Frequency: Various.
    Total Number of Responses: 88.
    Total Burden Hours: 74 hours.
    Total Annual Respondent or Recordkeeper Cost Burden: $348.
    Comments submitted in response to this notice will be summarized 
and 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: June 28, 2013.
George F. Triebsch,
Certifying Officer.
[FR Doc. 2013-16051 Filed 7-2-13; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4510-43-P