[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 115 (Friday, June 16, 2017)]
[Notices]
[Pages 27728-27729]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2017-12540]


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DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Mine Safety and Health Administration

[OMB Control No. 1219-0116]


Proposed Extension of Information Collection; Examinations and 
Testing of Electrical Equipment, Including Examination, Testing, and 
Maintenance of High Voltage Longwalls

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 Examinations and 
Testing of Electrical Equipment, Including Examination, Testing, and 
Maintenance of High Voltage Longwalls.

DATES: All comments must be received on or before August 15, 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-2017-0017.
     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

    The Federal Mine Safety and Health Act of 1977 (Mine Act) and 30 
CFR parts 75 and 77, mandatory safety standards for coal mines, make 
this collection of information necessary. Subsection 103(h) of the 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.
    Inadequate maintenance of electric equipment is a major cause of 
serious electrical accidents in the coal mining industry. It is 
imperative that mine operators adopt and follow an effective 
maintenance program to ensure that electric equipment is maintained in 
a safe operating condition to prevent electrocutions, mine fires and 
mine explosions. MSHA regulations require the mine operator to 
establish an electrical maintenance program by specifying minimum 
requirements for the examination, testing, and maintenance of electric 
equipment. The regulations also contain recordkeeping requirements that 
help operators in implementing an effective maintenance program.

[[Page 27729]]

(a) Examinations of Electric Equipment

    (1) Section 75.512 requires that all electric equipment be 
frequently examined, tested, and maintained by a qualified person to 
assure safe operating conditions and that a record of such examinations 
be kept. Section 75.512-2 specifies that required examinations and 
tests be made at least weekly.
    (2) Section 75.703-3(d)(11) requires that all grounding diodes be 
tested, examined, and maintained as electric equipment and records of 
these activities be kept in accordance with the provisions of section 
75.512.
    (3) Section 77.502 requires that electric equipment be frequently 
examined, tested, and maintained by a qualified person to ensure safe 
operating conditions and that a record of such examinations be kept. 
Section 77.502-2 requires these examinations and tests at least 
monthly.

(b) Examinations of High-Voltage Circuit Breakers

    (1) Section 75.800 requires that circuit breakers protecting high-
voltage circuits, which enter the underground area of a coal mine, be 
properly tested and maintained as prescribed by the Secretary. Section 
75.800-3 requires that such circuit breakers be tested and examined at 
least once each month. Section 75.800-4 requires that a record of the 
examinations and tests be made.
    (2) Section 75.820 requires persons to lock-out and tag 
disconnecting devices when working on circuits and equipment associated 
with high-voltage longwalls.
    (3) Section 75.821(a) requires testing and examination of each unit 
of high-voltage longwall equipment and circuits to determine that 
electrical protection, equipment grounding, permissibility, cable 
insulation, and control devices are being properly maintained to 
prevent fire, electrical shock, ignition, or operational hazards. These 
tests and examinations, including the activation of the ground-fault 
test circuit, are required once every seven days. Section 75.821(b) 
requires that each ground-wire monitor and associated circuits be 
examined and tested at least once every 30 days. Section 75.821(d) 
requires that, at the completion of examinations and tests, the person 
making the examinations and tests must certify that they have been 
conducted. In addition, a record must be made of any unsafe condition 
found and any corrective action taken; these certifications and records 
must be kept at least one year.
    (4) Section 77.800 requires that circuit breakers protecting high-
voltage portable or mobile equipment be properly tested and maintained. 
Section 77.800-1 requires that such circuit breakers be tested and 
examined at least once each month. Section 77.800-2 requires a record 
of each test, examination, repair, or adjustment of all circuit 
breakers protecting high-voltage circuits.

(c) Examinations of Low- and Medium-Voltage Circuits

    (1) Section 75.900 requires that circuit breakers protecting low- 
and medium-voltage power circuits serving three-phase alternating-
current equipment be properly tested and maintained. Section 75.900-3 
requires that such circuit breakers be tested and examined at least 
once each month. Section 75.900-4 requires that a record of the 
required examinations and tests be made.
    (2) Section 77.900 requires that circuit breakers protecting low- 
and medium-voltage circuits which supply power to portable or mobile 
three-phase alternating-current equipment be properly tested and 
maintained. Section 77.900-1 requires that such circuit breakers be 
tested and examined at least once each month. Section 77.900-2 requires 
that a record of the examinations and tests be made.

(d) Tests and Calibrations of Automatic Circuit Interrupting Devices

    Section 75.1001-1(b) requires that automatic circuit interrupting 
devices that protect trolley wires and trolley feeder wires be tested 
and calibrated at intervals not to exceed six months. Section 75.1001-
1(c) requires that a record of the tests and calibrations be kept.

II. Desired Focus of Comments

    MSHA is soliciting comments concerning the proposed information 
collection related to Examinations and Testing of Electrical Equipment, 
Including Examination, Testing, and Maintenance of High Voltage 
Longwalls. 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 
Examinations and Testing of Electrical Equipment, Including 
Examination, Testing, and Maintenance of High Voltage Longwalls. 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: 1219-0116.
    Affected Public: Business or other for-profit.
    Number of Respondents: 843.
    Frequency: On occasion.
    Number of Responses: 405,606.
    Annual Burden Hours: 73,784 hours.
    Annual Respondent or Recordkeeper Cost: $0.
    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. 2017-12540 Filed 6-15-17; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4510-43-P