[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 165 (Thursday, August 25, 2016)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 58422-58424]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2016-20395]


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DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Mine Safety and Health Administration

30 CFR Parts 56 and 57

[Docket No. MSHA-2014-0030]
RIN 1219-AB87


Examinations of Working Places in Metal and Nonmetal Mines

AGENCY: Mine Safety and Health Administration, Labor.

ACTION: Proposed rule; extension of comment period; close of record.

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SUMMARY: In response to stakeholder requests, the Mine Safety and 
Health Administration (MSHA) is extending the comment period for 
Agency's proposed rule on Examinations of Working Places in Metal and 
Nonmetal Mines. The document also clarifies and seeks additional 
comments on selected proposed provisions.

[[Page 58423]]


DATES: The comment period for the proposed rule published on June 8, 
2016 (81 FR 36818), is extended. Comments must be received or 
postmarked by midnight Eastern Daylight Savings Time on September 30, 
2016.

ADDRESSES: Submit comments and informational materials, identified by 
RIN 1219-AB87 or Docket No. MSHA-2014-0030, by one of the following 
methods listed below:
     Federal E-Rulemaking Portal: http://www.regulations.gov. 
Follow the on-line instructions for submitting comments.
     Email: [email protected].
     Mail: MSHA, Office of Standards, Regulations, and 
Variances, 201 12th Street South, Suite 4E401, Arlington, Virginia 
22202-5452.
     Hand Delivery or Courier: 201 12th Street South, Suite 
4E401, Arlington, Virginia, between 9:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. Monday 
through Friday, except Federal holidays. Sign in at the receptionist's 
desk on the 4th floor East, Suite 4E401.
     Fax: 202-693-9441.
    Instructions: All submissions for the proposed rule must include 
RIN 1219-AB87 or Docket No. MSHA-2014-0030. MSHA posts all comments 
without change, including any personal information provided. Access 
comments electronically on http://www.regulations.gov and on MSHA's Web 
site at https://www.msha.gov/regulations/rulemaking.
    Docket: The proposed rule for Examinations of Working Places in 
Metal and Nonmetal Mines was published on June 8, 2016 (81 FR 36818). 
The document is available on https://www.regulations.gov and on MSHA's 
Web site at https://www.msha.gov/regulations/rulemaking/examinations-working-places-metal-and-nonmetal-mines. Review comments in person at 
the Office of Standards, Regulations, and Variances, 201 12th Street 
South, Suite 4E401, Arlington, Virginia 22202-5452. Sign in at the 
receptionist's desk on the 4th floor East, Suite 4E401.
    Email Notification: To subscribe to receive email notification when 
MSHA publishes rulemaking documents in the Federal Register, go to 
https://www.msha.gov.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Sheila A. McConnell, Director, Office 
of Standards, Regulations, and Variances, MSHA, at 
[email protected] (email), 202-693-9440 (voice); or 202-693-
9441 (facsimile). These are not toll-free numbers.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

    On June 8, 2016 (81 FR 36818), the Mine Safety and Health 
Administration (MSHA) published a proposed rule on Examinations of 
Working Places in Metal and Nonmetal (MNM) mines. The purpose of this 
proposed rule is to ensure that mine operators identify and correct 
conditions that may adversely affect miners' safety or health. MSHA 
conducted public hearings on the proposed rule on July 19, 21, 26, and 
August 4, 2016. In response to stakeholder requests, MSHA is providing 
additional time for interested parties to comment on the proposed rule. 
MSHA is extending the deadline for comments from September 6, 2016, to 
September 30, 2016.

I. Request for Comments and Close of Record

    Under proposed Sec. Sec.  56.18002(a)(1) and 57.18002(a)(1), MSHA 
proposed that metal and nonmetal mine operators promptly notify miners 
in any affected areas of any conditions found that may adversely affect 
safety or health and promptly initiate appropriate action to correct 
such conditions. MSHA received comments and testimony requesting that 
the Agency clarify the proposed requirement ``to promptly notify 
miners.'' Upon consideration of such comments and testimony, MSHA 
clarifies that ``to promptly notify miners'' means any notification to 
the miners that alerts them to adverse conditions in their working 
place so that they can take necessary precautions to avoid an accident 
or injury before they begin work in that area. This notification could 
take any form that is effective to notify affected miners of the 
particular condition: Verbal notification, prominent warning signage, 
other written notification, etc. MSHA believes that, in most cases, 
verbal notification or descriptive warning signage would be needed to 
ensure that all affected miners received actual notification of the 
specific condition in question.
    MSHA also clarifies that a ``prompt'' notification would occur 
before miners are potentially exposed to the condition; e.g., before 
miners begin work in the affected areas, or as soon as possible after 
work begins if the condition is discovered while they are working in an 
area. For example, this notification could occur when miners are given 
work-shift assignments. MSHA seeks comments on proposed Sec. Sec.  
56.18002(a)(1) and 57.18002(a)(1).
    MSHA also clarifies that the proposed rule would not change 
existing standards regarding conditions that present imminent danger. 
Like the existing rule, the proposed Sec. Sec.  56.18002(a)(2) and 
57.18002(a)(2) continue to require that conditions that may present an 
imminent danger which are noted by the person conducting the 
examination shall be brought to the immediate attention of the operator 
who shall withdraw all persons from the area affected (except persons 
referred to in section 104(c) of the Federal Mine Safety and Health Act 
of 1977) until the danger is abated.
    As MSHA stated during the public hearings, the proposed rule would 
not change the existing definition of working place. Existing 
Sec. Sec.  56.2 and 57.2 define ``working place'' as: ``Any place in or 
about a mine where work is being performed.'' Regarding the timing of 
the examination, some commenters expressed concern that the proposed 
rule would require mine operators to conduct an examination of the 
entire mine before the start of each shift. It is not MSHA's intent for 
the mine operator to examine the entire mine before work begins. The 
proposal would require an examination of ``each working place'' 
``before work begins in an area.'' A ``working place'' is not the 
entire mine unless miners will be working in all areas of the mine. 
``Before work begins in an area'' may or may not coincide with the 
start of any particular shift; it depends on when miners actually will 
be working in any particular working place. The proposed rule, like the 
existing rule, would require examinations in only those areas where 
work will be performed. As MSHA stated in the preamble, a ``working 
place'' applies to all locations at a mine where miners work in the 
extraction or milling processes. (81 FR 36821.) MSHA clarifies that 
consistent with the existing definition of ``working place,'' this 
includes roads traveled to and from a work area.
    MSHA further explained that a working place would not include roads 
not directly involved in the mining process, administrative office 
buildings, parking lots, lunchrooms, toilet facilities or inactive 
storage areas. Unless required by other standards, mine operators would 
only be required to examine isolated, abandoned, or idle areas of mines 
or mills when miners have to perform work in these areas during the 
shift.
    In MSHA's June 8, 2016 Federal Register proposed rule (81 FR 
36826), the introductory text of Sec. Sec.  56.18002(b) and 57.18002(b) 
stated that the person conducting the examination would be required to 
sign and date the record before the end of the shift for which the 
examination was made. MSHA has received a number of comments and

[[Page 58424]]

heard testimony at the public hearings on stakeholder concerns that the 
proposed requirement to sign the examination record would increase the 
potential for liability of miners under section 110(c) of the Mine Act 
for those who conduct workplace examinations. MSHA notes that Mine Act 
liability as an ``agent'' of an operator under section 110(c) relates 
to the substantive duties and delegated responsibilities of the person 
in question. The proposed rule language would not change the 
qualification requirements for the ``competent person'' (although MSHA 
asked for comments on this issue). The proposal also would not change 
the substantive requirements either for the areas to be examined or the 
adverse conditions for which the examination would be made. While the 
degree of responsibility a particular person may have at any given mine 
may vary widely, the single act of printing one's initials or name, as 
opposed to signing one's name, adds no more and no less to the 
substantive duties and qualifications of the person who conducts the 
examination.
    Nonetheless, some commenters were concerned that the signature 
requirement would discourage miners from conducting working place 
examinations and would have a negative impact on the quality of the 
examination. MSHA seeks comments on an alternative approach of simply 
requiring that the name of the competent person, rather than the 
signature, be included in the examination record.
    MSHA received a number of comments and heard testimony at the 
public hearings seeking clarification on the recordkeeping requirements 
for adverse conditions found that are immediately corrected. Some 
commenters were concerned that recording every condition and every 
corrective action would be an excessive burden to mine operators, 
especially for small operators. As MSHA stated, the Agency believes 
that making and maintaining a record of adverse conditions found and 
corrective actions taken would help mine operators and miners and their 
representatives become more aware of potential dangers and more 
proactive in their approach to correcting these issues before they 
cause or contribute to an accident, injury, or fatality. (81 FR 36819). 
MSHA seeks information on how mine operators have used the examination 
record to identify and correct systemic adverse conditions that may 
contribute to an accident, injury, or fatality. In addition, MSHA seeks 
comment on possible limitations that would be placed on the mine 
operators' ability to use the examination record to identify and 
correct systemic adverse conditions if a record of an adverse condition 
that is immediately corrected is not made.
    MSHA received a number of comments and heard testimony at the 
public hearings asking if MSHA would require the person conducting the 
working place examination to wait until the end of the shift to make 
the record. MSHA clarifies that the proposed rule would allow the 
competent person conducting the exam to make the record any time before 
the end of the shift.

II. Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995

    MSHA's proposed rule contains changes that would affect the burden 
in an existing OMB Control Number 1219-0089. MSHA, the Department of 
Labor, and the Office of Management and Budget are particularly 
interested in comments related to the recordkeeping requirement 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;
     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.
    MSHA solicits comments from the mining community on all aspects of 
the proposed rule. Commenters are requested to be specific in their 
comments and to provide sufficient detail in their responses to enable 
proper Agency review and consideration. All comments must be received 
by September 30, 2016.

    Dated: August 17, 2016.
Joseph A. Main,
Assistant Secretary of Labor for Mine Safety and Health.
[FR Doc. 2016-20395 Filed 8-23-16; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4520-43-P