[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 228 (Monday, November 28, 2016)]
[Notices]
[Pages 85643-85644]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2016-28422]


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DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Mine Safety and Health Administration

[OMB Control No. 1219-0024]


Proposed Extension of Information Collection; Application for 
Waiver of Surface Sanitary Facilities' Requirements (Pertaining to 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 
Application for Waiver of Surface Sanitary Facilities' Requirements 
(Pertaining to Coal Mines).

DATES: All comments must be received on or before January 27, 2017.

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-2016-0035.
     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, 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.
    Title 30 CFR 71.400 through 71.402 and 75.1712-1 through 75.1712-3 
require coal mine operators to provide bathing facilities, clothing 
change rooms, and sanitary flush toilet facilities in a location that 
is convenient for use of the miners. If the operator is unable to meet 
any or all of the requirements, he/she may apply for a waiver. Title 30 
CFR 71.403, 71.404, 75.1712-4, and

[[Page 85644]]

75.1712-5 provide procedures by which an operator may apply for and be 
granted a waiver. Applications are filed with the District Manager for 
the district in which the mine is located and must contain the name and 
address of the mine operator, name and location of the mine, and a 
detailed statement of the grounds on which the waiver is requested.
    Waivers for surface mines may be granted by the District Manager 
for a period not to exceed one year. If the waiver is granted, surface 
mine operators may apply for annual extensions of the approved waiver. 
Waivers for underground mines may be granted by the District Manager 
for the period of time requested by the underground mine operator as 
long as the circumstances that were used to justify granting the waiver 
remain in effect. Waivers are not transferable to a successor coal mine 
operator.

II. Desired Focus of Comments

    MSHA is soliciting comments concerning the proposed information 
collection related to Application for Waiver of Surface Sanitary 
Facilities' Requirements (Pertaining to 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 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 section of 
this notice.

III. Current Actions

    This request for collection of information contains provisions for 
Application for Waiver of Surface Sanitary Facilities' Requirements 
(Pertaining to 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: 1219-0024.
    Affected Public: Business or other for-profit.
    Number of Respondents: 731.
    Frequency: On occasion.
    Number of Responses: 731.
    Annual Burden Hours: 301 hours.
    Annual Respondent or Recordkeeper Cost: $3,655.
    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.

Sheila McConnell,
Certifying Officer.
[FR Doc. 2016-28422 Filed 11-25-16; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4510-43-P