[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 137 (Friday, July 17, 2015)]
[Notices]
[Pages 42547-42548]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2015-17542]


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DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Mine Safety and Health Administration

[OMB Control No. 1219-0082]


Proposed Extension of Information Collection; Records of Preshift 
and Onshift Inspections of Slope and Shaft Areas of Slope and Shaft 
Sinking Operations at 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 Records 
of Preshift and Onshift Inspections of Slope and Shaft Areas of Slope 
and Shaft Sinking Operations at Coal Mines.

DATES: All comments must be received on or before September 15, 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-2015-0019.
     Regular Mail: Send comments to USDOL-MSHA, Office of 
Standards, Regulations, and Variances, 201 12th Street South, Suite 
4E401, Arlington, VA 22202-5452.
     Hand Delivery: USDOL-Mine Safety and Health 
Administration, 201 12th Street South, Suite 4E401, 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

    The sinking of slopes and shafts is a particularly hazardous 
operation where conditions change drastically in short periods of time. 
Explosive methane and other harmful gases can be expected to infiltrate 
the work environment at any time. The working environment is typically 
a confined area in close proximity to moving equipment. Accordingly, 30 
CFR Section 77.1901 requires operators to conduct examinations of slope 
and shaft areas for hazardous conditions, including tests for methane 
and oxygen deficiency, within 90 minutes before each shift, once during 
each shift, and before and after blasting. The surface area surrounding 
each slope and shaft is also required to be inspected for hazards.
    The standard also requires that a record be kept of the results of 
the inspections. The record includes a

[[Page 42548]]

description of any hazardous condition found and the corrective action 
taken to abate it. The record is necessary to ensure that the 
inspections and tests are conducted in a timely fashion and that 
corrective action is taken when hazardous conditions are identified, 
thereby ensuring a safe working environment for the slope and shaft 
sinking employees. The record is maintained at the mine site for the 
duration of the operation.

II. Desired Focus of Comments

    MSHA is soliciting comments concerning the proposed information 
collection related to Records of Preshift and Onshift Inspections of 
Slope and Shaft Areas of Slope and Shaft Sinking Operations at 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 
4E401, 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 
Records of Preshift and Onshift Inspections of Slope and Shaft Areas of 
Slope and Shaft Sinking Operations at 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: 1219-0082.
    Affected Public: Business or other for-profit.
    Number of Respondents: 19.
    Frequency: On occasion.
    Number of Responses: 8,360.
    Annual Burden Hours: 10,450 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: July 13, 2015.
Sheila McConnell,
Certifying Officer.
[FR Doc. 2015-17542 Filed 7-16-15; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4510-43-P