[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 43 (Tuesday, March 7, 2017)]
[Notices]
[Pages 12852-12853]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2017-04331]


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DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Mine Safety and Health Administration

[OMB Control No. 1219-0034]


Proposed Extension of Information Collection; Records of Tests 
and of Examinations of Personnel Hoisting Equipment

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. 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 Tests 
and of Examinations of Personnel Hoisting Equipment.

DATES: All comments must be received on or before May 8, 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-2016-0045.
     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.
    Under Title 30 of the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR), MSHA has 
requirements that address hoists and appurtenances, including wire 
rope, used for hoisting persons. The requirements address both metal 
and nonmetal surface and underground mines (30 CFR parts 56 and 57); 
and underground coal and surface work areas of underground coal mines 
(30 CFR parts 75 and 77).
    Title 30 CFR 56/57.19022 and 30 CFR 75/77.1432 requires the 
diameter of newly installed wire rope to be measured at least once in 
every third interval of the rope's active length to establish a 
baseline for subsequent semiannual measurements. A record of the 
measurements is required to be made and retained until the rope is 
retired from service.
    Title 30 CFR 56/57.19023 and 30 CFR 75/77.1433 require the wire 
rope to be visually examined at least every fourteen days for visible 
structural damage, corrosion, and improper lubrication or dressing. If 
the examination reveals weakening portions of the rope, the weakened 
portions must be monitored daily for further deterioration until 
retirement criteria require that the rope be removed from service. The 
person conducting the examination must certify that the examination was 
made and the record must be retained for one year.
    Title 30 CFR 56/57.19121 requires the person conducting the 
inspection, test or examination of hoisting equipment certify that 
these activities have been done. Any unsafe conditions must be noted in 
a record and dated. All certifications and records must be retained for 
one year.
    Title 30 CFR 75.1400-2 requires a record to be made of tests 
conducted on safety catches. Safety catches are the last means to 
safely stop a falling conveyance in the event of rope or equipment 
failure.
    Title 30 CFR 75.1400-4 and 77.1404 require a record to be made of 
each daily examination. If any unsafe condition is found during the 
examination, the person conducting the examination must make a record 
of the condition. All certifications and records must be retained for 
one year.
    Title 30 CFR 77.1906 requires a daily examination of hoists used 
for shaft sinking. If any unsafe condition is found

[[Page 12853]]

during the examination, the person conducting the examination must make 
a record of the condition. All certifications and records must be 
retained for one year.

II. Desired Focus of Comments

    MSHA is soliciting comments concerning the proposed information 
collection related to Records of Tests and of Examinations of Personnel 
Hoisting Equipment. 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 CONTACT 
section of this notice.

III. Current Actions

    This request for collection of information contains provisions for 
Records of Tests and of Examinations of Personnel Hoisting Equipment. 
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: 1219-0034.
    Affected Public: Business or other for-profit.
    Number of Respondents: 225.
    Frequency: On occasion.
    Number of Responses: 61,366.
    Annual Burden Hours: 5,133 hours.
    Annual Respondent or Recordkeeper Cost: $270,000.
    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. 2017-04331 Filed 3-6-17; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4510-43-P