[Federal Register Volume 79, Number 230 (Monday, December 1, 2014)]
[Notices]
[Pages 71129-71130]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2014-28171]


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DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Mine Safety and Health Administration

[OMB Control No. 1219-0004]


Proposed Information Collection; Roof Control Plans for 
Underground Coal 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 Roof 
Control Plans for Underground Coal Mines.

DATES: All comments must be received on or before January 30, 2015.

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-2014-0010
     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(h), authorizes MSHA to collect information 
necessary to carry out its duty in protecting the safety and health of 
miners. Further, Section 101(a) of the Mine Act, 30 U.S.C. 811 
authorizes the Secretary to develop, promulgate, and revise as may be 
appropriate, improved mandatory health or safety standards for the 
protection of life and prevention of injuries in coal or other mines.
    Section 302(a) of the Federal Mine Safety and Health Act of 1977 
(Mine Act) 30 U.S.C. 846, requires that a roof control plan and 
revisions thereof suitable to the roof conditions and mining system of 
each coal mine be first approved by the Secretary of Labor (Secretary) 
before implementation by the operator. The plan must show the type of 
support and spacing approved by the Secretary, and the plan must be 
reviewed at least every six months by the Secretary.
    This information collection addresses the recordkeeping associated 
with:

75.220(a)(1)--Roof control plan
75.221(1)(2)--Roof control plan information
75.222(a)--Roof control plan-approval
75.223(a), (b), & (d)--Evaluation and revision of roof control plan

II. Desired Focus of Comments

    MSHA is soliciting comments concerning the proposed information 
collection related to Roof Control Plans for Underground Coal 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 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 
Roof Control Plans for Underground Coal

[[Page 71130]]

Mines. MSHA has updated the data in respect to the number of 
respondents, responses, burden hours, and burden costs supporting this 
information collection extension request.
    Type of Review: Extension, without change, of a currently approved 
collection.
    Agency: Mine Safety and Health Administration.
    OMB Number: 1219-0004.
    Affected Public: Business or other for-profit.
    Number of Respondents: 494.
    Frequency: Annually.
    Number of Responses: 1,965.
    Annual Burden Hours: 7,924 hours.
    Annual Respondent or Recordkeeper Cost: $6,795.
    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: November 25, 2014.
Sheila McConnell,
Certifying Officer.
[FR Doc. 2014-28171 Filed 11-28-14; 8:45 am]
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