[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 102 (Thursday, May 28, 2015)]
[Notices]
[Pages 30494-30495]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2015-12840]


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DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Mine Safety and Health Administration

[OMB Control No. 1219-0146]


Proposed Extension of Information Collection; Refuge Alternatives 
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

[[Page 30495]]

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 Refuge Alternatives for Underground Coal Mines.

DATES: All comments must be received on or before July 27, 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-2015-0012.
     Regular Mail: Send comments to MSHA, Office of Standards, 
Regulations, and Variances, 1100 Wilson Boulevard, Room 2350, 
Arlington, VA 22209-3939.
     Hand Delivery: USDOL--Mine Safety and Health 
Administration, 201 12th Street S., Suite 400, Arlington, VA 22202-
5452. Sign in at the receptionist's desk on the 4th floor via the East 
elevator bank.

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

    Each underground coal mine has an emergency response plan (ERP) and 
refuge alternative(s) (RA) that protect miners when escape from a mine 
during a mine emergency is not possible by providing secure spaces with 
isolated atmospheres that create life-sustaining environments.
    Title 30 CFR 75.1506 requires mine operators to provide refuge 
alternatives.
    Section 75.1507 requires the development and implementation of 
emergency response plans. It requires that the ERP provide detailed 
information about the RAs used in the mine. This information assists 
miners, supervisors, emergency responders, and MSHA in assuring that 
all essential preparations are made and required materials are readily 
available and in working order. A mine operator may notify the District 
Manager and update the existing ERP if there is a need to locate a RA 
in a different location than the one identified in the ERP for that 
mine (as required by section 75.1506(c)(2)).
    Section 75.1508 requires the mine operator to certify that persons 
assigned to examine, maintain, and repair RAs and components are 
trained for those tasks. Training certifications assist MSHA in 
determining that persons received the required training. The training 
certification for persons assigned to examine RAs is integrated into 
existing requirements for preshift examinations of the mine under 
section 75.360 (OMB 1219-0088). The training certification for persons 
assigned to maintain and repair RAs is included in this package under 
section 75.1508(a).
    Section 75.1508(b) requires a record of any maintenance and repair 
performed on a refuge alternative. This record assists MSHA in 
identifying design flaws or other weaknesses in the refuge alternative 
or its components that could adversely impact the safety of miners.

II. Desired Focus of Comments

    MSHA is soliciting comments concerning the proposed information 
collection related to Refuge Alternatives 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 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.
    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 
Refuge Alternatives for Underground Coal Mines. MSHA has updated the 
data with 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: 1219-0146.
    Affected Public: Business or other for-profit.
    Number of Respondents: 16.
    Frequency: On occasion.
    Number of Responses: 49.
    Annual Burden Hours: 219 hours.
    Annual Respondent or Recordkeeper Cost: $50.40.
    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: May 21, 2015.
Sheila McConnell,
Certifying Officer.
[FR Doc. 2015-12840 Filed 5-27-15; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4510-43-P