[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 107 (Thursday, June 4, 2015)]
[Notices]
[Pages 31923-31924]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2015-13594]


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DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Mine Safety and Health Administration

[OMB Control No. 1219-0121]


Proposed Extension of Information Collection; Safety Standards 
for Roof Bolts in Metal and Nonmetal Mines and 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 Safety 
Standards for Roof Bolts in Metal and Nonmetal Mines and Underground 
Coal Mines.

DATES: All comments must be received on or before August 3, 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-2015-0008.
     Regular Mail: Send comments to USDOL-MSHA, Office of 
Standards, Regulations, and Variances, 201 12th Street S., Suite 400, 
Arlington, VA 22202-5452.
     Hand Delivery: USDOL-Mine Safety and Health 
Administration, 201 12th Street South, Suite 400, Arlington, VA 22202-
5452. Sign in at the receptionist's desk on the 4th floor via the East 
elevator.

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 and metal and 
nonmetal mines.
    Accidents involving falls of roof, face, and rib in underground 
mines or falls of highwall in surface mines, historically, have been 
among the leading causes of injuries and deaths. Prevention or control 
of falls of roof, face, and rib is uniquely difficult because of the 
variety of conditions encountered in mines that can affect the 
stability of various types of strata and the changing nature of the 
forces affecting ground stability at any given operation and time. Roof 
and rock bolts and accessories are an integral part of ground control 
systems and are used to prevent the fall of roof, face, and rib. 
Advancements in technology of roof and rock bolts and accessories have 
aided in reducing the hazards associated with falls of roof, face, and 
rib.
    The American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) publication 
``Standard Specification for Roof and Rock Bolts and Accessories'' is a 
consensus standard used throughout the United States. It contains 
specifications for the chemical, mechanical, and

[[Page 31924]]

dimensional requirements for roof and rock bolts and accessories used 
for ground support systems. The ASTM standard for roof and rock bolts 
and accessories is updated periodically to reflect advances in 
technology.
    Title 30 Code of Federal Regulations (30 CFR), parts 56 and 57 
subpart B-Ground Control, section 56.3203 and section 57.3203, and part 
75 subpart C-Roof Support, section 75.204, address the quality of roof 
and rock bolts and accessories and their installation. MSHA's objective 
in these regulations is to ensure the quality and effectiveness of roof 
and rock bolts and accessories and, as technology evolves, to allow for 
the use of new materials which are proven to be reliable and effective 
in controlling the mine roof, face, and rib.
    30 CFR 56.3203(a), 57.3203(a), and 75.204(a) require: (1) That mine 
operators obtain a certification from the manufacturer that roof and 
rock bolts and accessories are manufactured and tested in accordance 
with the applicable ASTM specifications, and (2) that the 
manufacturer's certification is made available to an authorized 
representative of the Secretary of Labor (Secretary).
    30 CFR 56.3203(h) and 57.3203(h) require that if the mine operator 
uses other tensioned and nontensioned fixtures and accessories for 
ground control that are not addressed by the applicable ASTM standard 
listed in sections 56.3203(a) and 57.3203(a), test methods must be 
established by the mine operator and used to verify their ground 
control effectiveness. 30 CFR 56.3203(i) and 57.3203(i) require that 
the mine operator certify that the tests developed under sections 
56.3203(h) and 57.3203(h) were conducted and such certifications be 
made available to an authorized representative of the Secretary.
    30 CFR 75.204(f)(6) requires that the mine operator or a person 
designated by the operator certify by signature and date the 
measurements required by paragraph (f)(5) of this section have been 
made. Paragraph (f)(5) requires that in working places from which coal 
is produced during any portion of a 24-hour period, the actual torque 
or tension on at least one out of every ten previously installed 
mechanically anchored tensioned roof bolts is measured from the outby 
corner of the last open crosscut to the face in each advancing section. 
This certification shall be maintained for at least one year and shall 
be made available to an authorized representative of the Secretary and 
representatives of the miners.
    MSHA has found that the certification requirements have been 
successful in maintaining compliance with requirements for roof and 
rock bolts and accessories.

II. Desired Focus of Comments

    MSHA is soliciting comments concerning the proposed information 
collection related to Safety Standards for Roof Bolts in Metal and 
Nonmetal Mines and 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 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 USDOL-
Mine Safety and Health Administration, 201 12th Street South, Suite 
400, Arlington, VA 22202-5452. Sign in at the receptionist's desk on 
the 4th floor via the East elevator.
    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 
Safety Standards for Roof Bolts in Metal and Nonmetal Mines and 
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: 1219-0121.
    Affected Public: Business or other for-profit.
    Number of Respondents: 844.
    Frequency: On occasion.
    Number of Responses: 87,674.
    Annual Burden Hours: 537 hours.
    Annual Respondent or Recordkeeper Cost: $0.
    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 29, 2015.
Sheila McConnell,
Certifying Officer.
[FR Doc. 2015-13594 Filed 6-3-15; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4510-43-P