[Federal Register Volume 79, Number 39 (Thursday, February 27, 2014)]
[Notices]
[Pages 11127-11128]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2014-04249]


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DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Mine Safety and Health Administration

[OMB Control No. 1219-0034]


Proposed Information Collection; Records of Tests and 
Examinations of Mine Personnel Hoisting Equipment

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 collections of information 
in accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, 44 U.S.C. 
3506(c)(2)(A). 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 on the information collection for Records 
of Tests and Examinations of Mine Personnel Hoisting Equipment.

DATES: All comments must be received on or before April 28, 2014.

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 online instructions for submitting comments for docket 
number [MSHA-2013-0044].
     Regular Mail: Send comments to MSHA, Office of Standards, 
Regulations, and Variances, 1100 Wilson Boulevard, Room 2350, 
Arlington, VA 22209-3939.
     Hand Delivery: MSHA, 1100 Wilson Boulevard, Room 2350, 
Arlington, VA. Sign in at the receptionist's desk on the 21st floor.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Sheila McConnell, Acting 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

    Section 103(h) of the Federal Mine Safety and Health Act of 1977 
(Mine Act), 30 U.S.C. 813, authorizes MSHA to collect information 
necessary to carry out its duty in protecting the safety and health of 
miners.
    Under Title 30 of the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR), MSHA has 
requirements that address hoists and appurtenances, including wire 
rope, used for hoisting persons. The requirements address both metal 
and nonmetal surface and underground

[[Page 11128]]

mines (30 CFR parts 56 and 57); and underground coal and surface work 
areas of underground coal mines (30 CFR parts 75 and 77).
    Title 30 CFR 56/57.19022 and 30 CFR 75/77.1432 requires the 
diameter of newly installed wire rope to be measured at least once in 
every third interval of the rope's active length to establish a 
baseline for subsequent semiannual measurements. A record of the 
measurements is required to be made and retained until the rope is 
retired from service.
    Title 30 CFR 56/57.19023 and 30 CFR 75/77.1433 require the wire 
rope to be visually examined at least every fourteen days for visible 
structural damage, corrosion, and improper lubrication or dressing. If 
the examination reveals weakening portions of the rope, the weakened 
portions must be monitored daily for further deterioration until 
retirement criteria require that the rope be removed from service. The 
person conducting the examination must certify that the examination was 
made and the record must be retained for one year.
    Title 30 CFR 56/57.19121 requires the person conducting the 
inspection, test or examination of hoisting equipment certify that 
these activities have been done. Any unsafe conditions must be noted in 
a record and dated. All certifications and records must be retained for 
one year.
    Title 30 CFR 75.1400-2 requires a record to be made of tests 
conducted on safety catches. Safety catches are the last means to 
safely stop a falling conveyance in the event of rope or equipment 
failure.
    Title 30 CFR 75.1400-4 and 77.1404 require a record to be made of 
each daily examination. If any unsafe condition is found during the 
examination, the person conducting the examination must make a record 
of the condition. All certifications and records must be retained for 
one year.
    Title 30 CFR 77.1906 requires a daily examination of hoists used 
for shaft sinking. If any unsafe condition is found during the 
examination, the person conducting the examination must make a record 
of the condition. All certifications and records must be retained for 
one year.

II. Desired Focus of Comments

    MSHA is soliciting comments concerning the proposed information 
collection related to Records of Tests and Examinations of Mine 
Personnel Hoisting Equipment. MSHA is particularly interested in 
comments that:
     Evaluate whether the collection of information is 
necessary for the proper 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.
    This information collection request is available on http://www.msha.gov/regs/fedreg/informationcollection/informationcollection.asp. The information collection request will be 
available on MSHA's Web site and on http://www.regulations.gov. MSHA 
cautions the commenter against providing any information in the 
submission that should not be publicly disclosed. Full comments, 
including personal information provided, will be made available on 
www.regulations.gov and www.reginfo.gov.
    The public may also examine publicly available documents at MSHA, 
1100 Wilson Boulevard, Room 2350, Arlington, VA. Sign in at the 
receptionist's desk on the 21st floor.
    Questions about the information collection requirements may be 
directed to the person listed in the FOR FURTHER INFORMATION section of 
this notice.

III. Current Actions

    This request for collection of information contains provisions for 
Records of Tests and Examinations of Mine Personnel Hoisting Equipment. 
MSHA has updated the data in respect to the number of respondents, 
responses, burden hours, and burden costs supporting this information 
collection request.
    Type of Review: Extension, without change, of a currently approved 
collection.
    Agency: Mine Safety and Health Administration.
    OMB Number: 1219-0034.
    Affected Public: Business or other for-profit.
    Number of Respondents: 250.
    Frequency: On occasion.
    Number of Responses: 74,715.
    Annual Burden Hours: 5,989 hours.
    Annual Respondent or Recordkeeper Cost: $300,000.
    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: February 21, 2014.
Patricia W. Silvey,
Certifying Officer.
[FR Doc. 2014-04249 Filed 2-26-14; 8:45 am]
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