[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 100 (Wednesday, May 23, 2018)]
[Notices]
[Pages 23943-23944]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2018-11038]


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DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Mine Safety and Health Administration

[OMB Control No. 1219-0103]


Proposed Extension of Information Collection; Notification of 
Methane Detected in Underground Metal and Nonmetal Mine Atmospheres

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 ensure 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 Notification of 
Methane Detected in Underground Metal and Nonmetal Mine Atmospheres.

DATES: All comments must be received on or before July 23, 2018.

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-2018-0005.
     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. Further, section 101(a) of the Mine Act, 30 U.S.C. 811, 
authorizes the Secretary of Labor (Secretary) to develop, promulgate, 
and revise as may be appropriate, improved mandatory health or safety 
standards for

[[Page 23944]]

the protection of life and prevention of injuries in coal or other 
mines.
    Methane is a flammable gas found in underground mines in the United 
States. Although methane is often associated with underground coal 
mines, it also occurs in some metal and nonmetal mines. Underground 
metal and nonmetal mines are categorized according to the potential to 
liberate methane (30 CFR 57.22003--Mine category or subcategory). 
Methane is a colorless, odorless, tasteless gas, and it tends to rise 
to the roof of a mine because it is lighter than air. Although methane 
itself is nontoxic, its presence reduces the oxygen content by dilution 
when mixed with air and, consequently, can act as an asphyxiant when 
present in large quantities.
    Methane may enter the mining environment from a variety of sources 
including fractures, faults, or shear zones overlying or underlying the 
strata that surround the ore body, or from the ore body itself. It may 
occur as an occluded gas within the ore body. Methane mixed with air is 
explosive in the range of 5 to 15 percent, provided that 12 percent or 
more oxygen is present. The presence of dust containing volatile matter 
in the mine atmosphere may further enhance the explosion potential of 
methane in a mine. Section 103(i) of Mine Act requires additional 
inspections be conducted at mines depending on the amount of methane 
liberated from a mine.
    Title 30 CFR 57.22004(c) requires operators of underground metal 
and nonmetal mines to notify MSHA as soon as possible if any of the 
following events occur: (a) There is an outburst that results in 0.25 
percent or more methane in the mine atmosphere, (b) there is a blowout 
that results in 0.25 percent or more methane in the mine atmosphere, 
(c) there is an ignition of methane, or (d) air sample results indicate 
0.25 percent or more methane in the mine atmosphere of a I-B, I-C, II-
B, V-B, or Category VI mine. Under sections 57.22239 and 57.22231, if 
methane reaches 2.0 percent in a Category IV mine or if methane reaches 
0.25 percent in the mine atmosphere of a Subcategory I-B, II-B, V-B, or 
VI mine, MSHA shall be notified immediately. Although the standards do 
not specify how MSHA is to be notified, MSHA anticipates that the 
notifications would be made by telephone.
    Title 30 CFR 57.22229 and 57.22230 require that the mine atmosphere 
be tested for methane and/or carbon dioxide at least once every seven 
days by a competent person or atmospheric monitoring system or a 
combination of both. Section 57.2229 applies to underground metal and 
nonmetal mines categorized as I-A, III, and V-A mines where the 
atmosphere is tested for both methane and carbon dioxide. Section 
57.22230 applies to underground metal and nonmetal mines categorized as 
II-A mines where the atmosphere is tested for methane. Where 
examinations disclose hazardous conditions, affected miners must be 
informed. Title 30 CFR 57.22229(d) and 57.22230(c) require that the 
person performing the tests certify by signature and date that the 
tests have been conducted. Certifications of examinations shall be kept 
for at least one year and made available to authorized representatives 
of the Secretary of Labor.

II. Desired Focus of Comments

    MSHA is soliciting comments concerning the proposed information 
collection related to Notification of Methane Detected in Underground 
Metal and Nonmetal Mine Atmospheres. 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 
Notification of Methane Detected in Underground Metal and Nonmetal Mine 
Atmospheres. 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: 1219-0103.
    Affected Public: Business or other for-profit.
    Number of Respondents: 4.
    Frequency: On occasion.
    Number of Responses: 213.
    Annual Burden Hours: 19 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. 2018-11038 Filed 5-22-18; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4510-43-P