[Federal Register Volume 79, Number 39 (Thursday, February 27, 2014)]
[Notices]
[Pages 11129-11130]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2014-04250]


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DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Mine Safety and Health Administration

[OMB Control No. 1219-0046]


Proposed Information Collection; Escape and Evacuation Plans 
(Pertains to Underground Metal and Nonmetal Mines)

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 Escape and Evacuation Plans, 30 CFR 
57.11053.

DATES: All comments must be submitted 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-2013-0045].
     Regular Mail: Send comments to MSHA, Office of Standards, 
Regulations, and Variances, 1100 Wilson Boulevard, Room 2350, 
Arlington, VA 22209-3939.

[[Page 11130]]

     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.
    Title 30 of the Code of Federal Regulations (30 CFR) 57.11053 
requires the development of an escape and evacuation plan specifically 
addressing the unique conditions of each underground metal and nonmetal 
mine. Section 57.11053 also requires that revisions be made as mining 
progresses. The plan must be available to representatives of the Mine 
Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) and conspicuously posted at 
locations convenient to all persons on the surface and underground. The 
mine operator and MSHA are required to jointly review the plan at least 
once every six months.
    The following information is required with each escape and 
evacuation plan submission:
    (1) Mine maps or diagrams showing directions of principal air flow, 
location of escape routes, and locations of existing telephones, 
primary fans, primary fan controls, fire doors, ventilation doors, and 
refuge chambers;
    (2) Procedures to show how the miners will be notified of an 
emergency;
    (3) An escape plan for each working area in the mine, including 
instructions showing how each working area should be evacuated;
    (4) A firefighting plan;
    (5) Surface procedures to be followed in an emergency, including 
the notification of proper authorities and the preparation of rescue 
equipment and other equipment which may be used in rescue and recovery 
operations; and
    (6) A statement of the availability of emergency communication and 
transportation facilities, emergency power, and ventilation, and the 
location of rescue personnel and equipment.

II. Desired Focus of Comments

    MSHA is soliciting comments concerning the proposed information 
collection related to Escape and Evacuation Plans, 30 CFR 57.11053. 
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 CONTACT section of this notice.

III. Current Actions

    This request for collection of information contains provisions for 
Escape and Evacuation Plans, 30 CFR 57.11053. 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: 1219-0046.
    Affected Public: Business or other for-profit.
    Number of Respondents: 251.
    Frequency: On occasion.
    Number of Responses: 502.
    Annual Burden Hours: 4,267 hours.
    Annual Respondent or Recordkeeper Cost: $2,510.
    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. 2014-04250 Filed 2-26-14; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4510-43-P