[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 58 (Tuesday, March 28, 2017)]
[Notices]
[Pages 15372-15373]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2017-06074]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Mine Safety and Health Administration

[OMB Control No. 1219-0089]


Proposed Extension of Information Collection; Safety Defects; 
Examination, Correction, and Records

AGENCY: Mine Safety and Health Administration, Labor.

ACTION: Request for public comments.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

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 Safety Defects; 
Examination, Correction, and Records.

DATES: All comments must be received on or before May 30, 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-2017-0002.
     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.
    Compressed-air receivers and other unfired pressure vessels must be 
inspected by inspectors holding a valid National Board Commission and 
in accordance with the applicable chapters of the National Board 
Inspection Code, a Manual for Boiler and Pressure Vessels Inspectors, 
1979. Safety defects found on compressed-air receivers and other 
unfired pressure vessels have caused injuries and fatalities in the 
mining industry.
    Records of inspections must be kept in accordance with the 
requirements of the National Board Inspection Code and the records must 
be made available to the Secretary or an authorized representative.
    Fired pressure vessels (boilers) must be equipped with water level 
gauges, pressure gauges, automatic pressure-relief valves, blowdown 
piping and other safety devices approved by the American Society of 
Mechanical Engineers (ASME) to protect against hazards from 
overpressure, flameouts, fuel interruptions and low water level.
    Records of inspection and repairs must be retained by the mine 
operator in accordance with the requirements of the ASME Boiler and 
Pressure Vessel Code, 1977, and the National Board Inspection Code 
(progressive records--no limit on retention time) and shall be made 
available to the Secretary or an authorized representative.
    Operators must inspect equipment, machinery, and tools that are to 
be used during a shift for safety defects before the equipment is 
placed in operation. Defects affecting safety are required to be 
corrected in a timely manner. In instances where the defect makes 
continued operation of the equipment hazardous to persons, the 
equipment must be removed from service, tagged to identify that it is 
out of use, and repaired before use is resumed.
    Safety defects on self-propelled mobile equipment account for many 
injuries and fatalities in the mining industry. Inspection of this 
equipment prior to use is required to ensure safe operation. The 
equipment operator is required to make a visual and operational check 
of the various primary operating systems that affect safety,

[[Page 15373]]

such as brakes, lights, horn, seatbelts, tires, steering, back-up 
alarm, windshield, cab safety glass, rear and side view mirrors, and 
other safety and health related items.
    Any defects found are required to be either corrected immediately, 
or reported to and recorded by the mine operator prior to the timely 
correction. A record is not required if the defect is corrected 
immediately, i.e. a defect that the operator can fix without a mechanic 
such as a light bulb that needs turned tighter. The precise format in 
which the record is kept is left to the discretion of the mine 
operator. Reports of uncorrected defects are required to be recorded by 
the mine operator and kept at the mine office from the date the defects 
are recorded, until the defects are corrected.
    A competent person designated by the operator must examine each 
working place at least once each shift for conditions which may 
adversely affect safety or health. A record of such examinations must 
be kept by the operator for a period of one year and must be made 
available for review by the Secretary or an authorized representative.

II. Desired Focus of Comments

    MSHA is soliciting comments concerning the proposed information 
collection related to Safety Defects; Examination, Correction, and 
Records. 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 
Safety Defects; Examination, Correction, and Records. 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: 1219-0089.
    Affected Public: Business or other for-profit.
    Number of Respondents: 11,660.
    Frequency: On occasion.
    Number of Responses: 3,470,695.
    Annual Burden Hours: 768,728 hours.
    Annual Respondent or Recordkeeper Cost: $154,300.
    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. 2017-06074 Filed 3-27-17; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4510-43-P