[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]
BILLING CODE 4510-43-P