[Federal Register Volume 85, Number 1 (Thursday, January 2, 2020)]
[Notices]
[Pages 141-142]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2019-28313]
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DEPARTMENT OF LABOR
Mine Safety and Health Administration
[OMB Control No. 1219-0019]
Proposed Extension of Information Collection; Slope and Shaft
Sinking Plans, 30 CFR 77.1900 (Pertains to 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 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 Slope and Shaft
Sinking Plans, 30 CFR 77.1900 (pertains to surface work areas of
underground coal mines).
DATES: All comments must be received on or before March 2, 2020.
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-2019-0051.
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 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.
Title 30 CFR 77.1900 requires underground coal mine operators to
submit for approval a plan that will provide for the safety of workmen
in each slope or shaft that is commenced or extended from the surface
to the underground coal mine. Each slope or shaft sinking operation is
unique in that each operator uses different methods and equipment and
encounters different geological strata which make it impossible for a
single set of regulations to ensure the safety of the miners under all
circumstances. This makes an individual slope or shaft sinking plan
necessary. The plan must be consistent with prudent engineering design.
Plans include the name and location of the mine; name and address of
the mine operator; a description of the construction work and methods
to be used in construction of the slope or shaft, and whether all or
part of the work will be performed by a contractor; the elevation,
depth and dimensions of the slope or shaft; the location and elevation
of the coalbed; the general characteristics of the strata through which
the slope or shaft will be developed; the type of equipment which the
operator proposes to use; the system of ventilation to be used; and
safeguards for the prevention of caving during excavation.
II. Desired Focus of Comments
MSHA is soliciting comments concerning the proposed information
collection related to Slope and Shaft Sinking Plans, 30 CFR 77.1900
(pertains to 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;
[[Page 142]]
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.
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.
All documents related to the information collection will be
available at http://www.regulations.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
Slope and Shaft Sinking Plans, 30 CFR 77.1900 (pertains to 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: 1219-0019.
Affected Public: Business or other for-profit.
Number of Respondents: 35.
Frequency: On occasion.
Number of Responses: 91.
Annual Burden Hours: 1,820 hours.
Annual Respondent or Recordkeeper Cost: $55.
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. 2019-28313 Filed 12-31-19; 8:45 am]
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