[Federal Register Volume 84, Number 126 (Monday, July 1, 2019)]
[Notices]
[Pages 31352-31353]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2019-13975]


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DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Mine Safety and Health Administration

[OMB Control No. 1219-0141]


Proposed Extension of Information Collection; Emergency Mine 
Evacuation

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 Emergency Mine 
Evacuation.

DATES: All comments must be received on or before August 30, 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-2019-0017.
     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

    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 the protection of life and prevention of injuries in coal 
and metal and nonmetal mines.
    MSHA requires each operator of an underground coal mine to submit a 
Mine Emergency Evacuation and Firefighting Program of Instruction to 
the District Manager for approval. Upon approval by the MSHA District 
Manager, the operator uses the approved program of instruction to 
implement programs for training miners in responding appropriately to 
mine emergencies. MSHA uses the plans to ensure that the operator's 
program will provide the required training and drills to all miners. 
MSHA requires the operator to certify the training and drill for each 
miner at the completion of each quarterly drill, annual expectations 
training, or other training, and that a copy be provided to the miner 
upon request. These certifications are used by MSHA, operators, and 
miners as evidence that the required training has been completed. MSHA 
requires that escapeway maps show the SCSR storage locations. Accurate 
and up-to-date maps are essential to the engineering plans and safe 
operation of mines and to the health and safety of the miners. MSHA and 
other emergency evacuation personnel will use the notations on the maps 
should a rescue or recovery operation be necessary. Miners use the 
escapeway maps in training and during mine evacuations. Escapeway maps 
are required to be posted or readily accessible for all miners in each 
working section, areas where mechanized mining equipment is being 
installed or removed, at surface locations where miners congregate and 
in each refuge alternative. MSHA requires that persons that test Self-
Contained, Self-Rescuers (SCSRs) certify that the tests were done and 
record all corrective actions. MSHA inspectors use these records to 
determine compliance with the standards. It includes requirements for 
compiling, maintaining, and reporting an inventory of all SCSRs at the 
mine, and for reporting defects, performance problems, or malfunctions 
with SCSRs. This will assure that MSHA can investigate SCSR problems, 
if necessary, notify other users of these problems before accidents 
occur and require manufacturers to address potential problems with 
these critical devices.

II. Desired Focus of Comments

    MSHA is soliciting comments concerning the proposed information 
collection related to Emergency Mine Evacuation. 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

[[Page 31353]]

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 
Emergency Mine Evacuation. 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: 1219-0141.
    Affected Public: Business or other for-profit.
    Number of Respondents: 208.
    Frequency: On occasion.
    Number of Responses: 1,035,909.
    Annual Burden Hours: 431,506 hours.
    Annual Respondent or Recordkeeper Cost: $52,298.
    MSHA Forms: MSHA Form 2000-222, Self Contained Self Rescuer (SCSR) 
Inventory and Report.
    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. 2019-13975 Filed 6-28-19; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4510-43-P