[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 230 (Thursday, November 29, 2018)]
[Notices]
[Pages 61393-61394]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2018-25963]
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DEPARTMENT OF LABOR
Mine Safety and Health Administration
[OMB Control No. 1219-0026]
Proposed Extension of Information Collection; Ground Control for
Surface Coal Mines and Surface Work Areas of Underground 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. This program
helps to ensure that requested data can be provided in the desired
format, reporting burden (time
[[Page 61394]]
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 Ground Control for Surface Coal Mines and Surface Work
Areas of Underground Coal Mines.
DATES: All comments must be received on or before January 28, 2019.
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-2018-0039.
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 MSHA.information
.[email protected] (email); (202) 693-9440 (voice); or (202) 693-9441
(facsimile).
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
I. Background
Each operator of a surface coal mine is required under 30 CFR
77.1000 to establish and follow a ground control plan for highwalls,
pits, and spoil banks that is consistent with prudent engineering
design and which will ensure safe working conditions. The mine operator
is required by section 77.1000-1 to file the ground control plan with
the appropriate District Manager. The mining methods employed by the
operator are selected to ensure highwall, pit, and spoil bank
stability. In the event of a highwall failure or material dislodgment,
there may be very little time to escape possible injury; therefore,
preventive measures must be taken. Each plan is based on the type of
strata expected to be encountered, the height and angle of highwalls
and spoil banks, and the equipment to be used at the mine. The plan is
used to show how the mine operator will maintain safe working
conditions around the highwalls, pits, and spoil banks. Each plan is
reviewed by MSHA to ensure that highwalls, pits, and spoil banks are
maintained in a safe condition through the use of sound engineering
design.
II. Desired Focus of Comments
MSHA is soliciting comments concerning the proposed information
collection related to Ground Control for Surface Coal Mines and Surface
Work Areas of Underground 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 Street 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
Ground Control for Surface Coal Mines and Surface Work Areas of
Underground 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: 1219-0026.
Affected Public: Business or other for-profit.
Number of Respondents: 270.
Frequency: On occasion.
Number of Responses: 270.
Annual Burden Hours: 1,848 hours.
Annual Respondent or Recordkeeper Cost: $513.
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.
Roslyn B. Fontaine,
Certifying Officer.
[FR Doc. 2018-25963 Filed 11-28-18; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4510-43-P