[Federal Register Volume 79, Number 39 (Thursday, February 27, 2014)]
[Notices]
[Pages 11131-11132]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2014-04253]


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DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Mine Safety and Health Administration

[OMB Control No. 1219-0097]


Proposed Information Collection; Rock Burst Control Plan, 
(Pertains to Underground Metal/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 the information collection for Rock 
Burst Control Plan, 30 CFR 57.3461 (Pertains to Underground Metal/
Nonmetal Mines).

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-2013-0048].
     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 101(a), 30 U.S.C. 811(a), allows MSHA to promulgate 
standards that would require operators to make and retain records from 
which MSHA would then be allowed to collect information. Section 
103(h), 30 U.S.C. 813(h), of the Federal Mine Safety and Health Act of 
1977 (Mine Act), 30 U.S.C. 801 et seq., authorizes MSHA to collect 
information necessary to carry out its duty in protecting the safety 
and health of miners.
    Title 30 CFR 57.3461 requires operators of underground metal and

[[Page 11132]]

nonmetal mines to develop and implement a rock burst control plan 
within 90 days after a rock burst has been experienced. Plans are 
required to include: Mining and operating procedures designed to reduce 
the occurrence of rock bursts; monitoring procedures where detection 
methods are used; and other measures to minimize exposure of persons to 
areas prone to rock bursts. Plans are also required to be updated as 
conditions warrant and are to be made available to MSHA inspectors and 
to miners or their representatives. The standard does not require that 
all underground metal and nonmetal mines develop these preventative 
measures, but it does require that all mines with a rock burst history 
develop and implement a rock burst control plan.
    When rock bursts occur in an underground mine, they pose a serious 
threat to the safety of miners in the area affected by the burst. These 
bursts may reasonably be expected to result in the entrapment of 
miners, death, and serious physical harm. Recent mining technology has 
disclosed scientific methods of monitoring rock stresses which will 
allow for the prediction of an oncoming burst. These predictions can be 
used by the mine operator to move miners to safer locations and to 
establish areas which need relief drilling.

II. Desired Focus of Comments

    MSHA is soliciting comments concerning the proposed information 
collection related to Rock Burst Control Plan, 30 CFR 57.3461 (Pertains 
to Underground Metal/Nonmetal Mines). 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 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 
Rock Burst Control Plan, 30 CFR 57.3461 (Pertains to Underground Metal/
Nonmetal Mines). 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: 1219-0097.
    Affected Public: Business or other for-profit.
    Number of Respondents: 2.
    Frequency: On occasion.
    Number of Responses: 2.
    Annual Burden Hours: 24 hours.
    Annual Respondent or Recordkeeper Cost: None.
    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. 2014-04253 Filed 2-26-14; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4510-43-P