[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 145 (Wednesday, July 29, 2015)]
[Notices]
[Pages 45237-45238]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2015-18546]


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DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Office of the Secretary


Agency Information Collection Activities; Submission for OMB 
Review; Comment Request; Ventilation Plans, Tests, and Examinations in 
Underground Coal Mines

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: The Department of Labor (DOL) is submitting the Mine Safety 
and Health Administration (MSHA) sponsored information collection 
request (ICR) revision titled, ``Ventilation Plans, Tests, and 
Examinations in Underground Coal Mines,'' to the Office of Management 
and Budget (OMB) for review and approval for use in accordance with the 
Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA) of 1995 (44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq.). Public 
comments on the ICR are invited.

DATES: The OMB will consider all written comments that agency receives 
on or before August 28, 2015.

ADDRESSES: A copy of this ICR with applicable supporting documentation; 
including a description of the likely respondents, proposed frequency 
of response, and estimated total burden may be obtained free of charge 
from the RegInfo.gov Web site at http://www.reginfo.gov/public/do/PRAViewICR?ref_nbr=201406-1219-005 (this link will only become active 
on the day following publication of this notice) or by contacting 
Michel Smyth by telephone at 202-693-4129, TTY 202-693-8064, (these are 
not toll-free numbers) or sending an email to [email protected].
    Submit comments about this request by mail or courier to the Office 
of Information and Regulatory Affairs, Attn: OMB Desk Officer for DOL-
MSHA, Office of Management and Budget, Room 10235, 725 17th Street NW., 
Washington, DC 20503; by Fax: 202-395-5806 (this is not a toll-free 
number); or by email: [email protected]. Commenters are 
encouraged, but not required, to send a courtesy copy of any comments 
by mail or courier to the U.S. Department of Labor-OASAM, Office of the 
Chief Information Officer, Attn: Departmental Information Compliance 
Management Program, Room N1301, 200 Constitution Avenue NW., 
Washington, DC 20210; or by email: [email protected].

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Contact Michel Smyth by telephone at 
202-693-4129, TTY 202-693-8064, (these are not toll-free numbers) or 
sending an email to [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: This ICR seeks approval under the PRA for 
revisions to the Ventilation Plans, Tests, and Examinations in 
Underground Coal Mines information collection requirements codified in 
regulations 30 CFR 75.310, 75.312, 75.342, 75.351, 75.360 through 
75.364, 75.370, 75.371, and 75.382. An underground mine is a maze of 
tunnels that must be adequately ventilated with fresh air to provide a 
safe environment for miners. Ground conditions are subject to frequent 
changes, and mechanical ventilation equipment of sufficient capacity 
must operate at all times while miners are in the mine; therefore, 
sufficient tests and examinations are necessary to ensure the integrity 
of the ventilation system and to detect any changes that may require 
adjustments in the system. Records of tests and examinations are 
necessary to ensure the ventilation system is being maintained and 
changes that could adversely affect the integrity of the system or the 
safety of the miners are not occurring. The subject examination, 
reporting, and recordkeeping requirements also incorporate examinations 
of other critical aspects of the underground work environment, such as 
roof conditions and electrical equipment that have historically caused 
numerous fatalities if not properly maintained and operated. This 
information collection has been classified as a revision, because of 
additional provisions to this collection from regulations 30 CFR 
75.362, 75.370, and 75.371 resulting from a final rule published May 1, 
2014 (79 FR 24814). Federal Mine Safety and Health Act of 1977 section 
101(a) authorizes this information collection. See 30 U.S.C. 811(a).
    This information collection is subject to the PRA. A Federal agency 
generally cannot conduct or sponsor a collection of information, and 
the public is generally not required to respond to an information 
collection, unless it is approved by the OMB under the PRA and displays 
a currently valid OMB Control Number. In addition, notwithstanding any 
other provisions of law, no person shall generally be subject to 
penalty for failing to comply with a collection of information that 
does not display a valid Control Number. See 5 CFR 1320.5(a) and 
1320.6. The DOL obtains OMB approval for this information collection 
under Control Number 1219-0088. The current approval is scheduled to 
expire on July 31, 2015; however, the DOL notes that existing 
information collection requirements submitted to the OMB receive a 
month-to-month extension while they undergo review. New requirements 
would only take effect upon OMB approval. For additional substantive 
information about this ICR, see the related notice published in the 
Federal Register on April 14, 2015 (80 FR 20015).
    Interested parties are encouraged to send comments to the OMB, 
Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs at the address shown in 
the ADDRESSES section within thirty (30) days of publication of this 
notice in the Federal Register. In order to help ensure appropriate 
consideration, comments should mention OMB Control Number 1219-0088. 
The OMB is particularly interested in comments that:
     Evaluate whether the proposed collection of information is 
necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the agency, 
including whether the information will have practical utility;

[[Page 45238]]

     Evaluate the accuracy of the agency's estimate of the 
burden of the proposed collection of information, including the 
validity of the methodology and assumptions used;
     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.
    Agency: DOL-MSHA.
    Title of Collection: Ventilation Plans, Tests, and Examinations in 
Underground Coal Mines.
    OMB Control Number: 1219-0088.
    Affected Public: Private Sector-businesses or other for-profits.
    Total Estimated Number of Respondents: 434.
    Total Estimated Number of Responses: 1,902,012.
    Total Estimated Annual Time Burden: 313,624 hours.
    Total Estimated Annual Other Costs Burden: $118,982.

    Authority: 44 U.S.C. 3507(a)(1)(D).

    Dated: July 15, 2015.
Michel Smyth,
Departmental Clearance Officer.
[FR Doc. 2015-18546 Filed 7-28-15; 8:45 a.m.]
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