[Federal Register Volume 86, Number 224 (Wednesday, November 24, 2021)]
[Notices]
[Pages 67089-67090]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2021-25639]


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DEPARTMENT OF LABOR


Agency Information Collection Activities; Submission for OMB 
Review; Comment Request; Notification of Methane Detected in 
Underground Metal and Nonmetal Mine Atmospheres

ACTION: Notice of availability; request for comments.

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SUMMARY: The Department of Labor (DOL) is submitting this Mine Safety 
and Health Administration (MSHA)-sponsored information collection 
request (ICR) to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for review 
and approval in accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 
(PRA). Public comments on the ICR are invited.

DATES: The OMB will consider all written comments that agency receives 
on or before December 27, 2021.

ADDRESSES: Written comments and recommendations for the proposed 
information collection should be sent within 30 days of publication of 
this notice to www.reginfo.gov/public/do/PRAMain. Find this particular 
information collection by selecting ``Currently under 30-day Review--
Open for Public Comments'' or by using the search function.
    Comments are invited on: (1) Whether the collection of information 
is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the 
Department, including whether the information will have practical 
utility; (2) if the information will be processed and used in a timely 
manner; (3) the accuracy of the agency's estimates of the burden and 
cost of the collection of information, including the validity of the 
methodology and assumptions used; (4) ways to enhance the quality, 
utility and clarity of the information collection; and (5) ways to 
minimize the burden of the collection of information on those who are 
to respond, including the use of automated collection techniques or 
other forms of information technology.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Nora Hernandez by telephone at 202-
693-8633 or by email at [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Title 30 CFR 57.22004(c) requires operators 
of underground M/NM mines to notify the 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 Sec. Sec.  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 M/NM 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 M/NM 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

[[Page 67090]]

examinations shall be kept for at least one year and made available to 
authorized representatives of the Secretary of Labor. For additional 
substantive information about this ICR, see the related notice 
published in the Federal Register on June 10, 2021 (86 FR 30987).
    This information collection is subject to the PRA. A Federal agency 
generally cannot conduct or sponsor a collection of information, and 
the public is generally not required to respond to an information 
collection, unless the OMB approves it and displays a currently valid 
OMB Control Number. In addition, notwithstanding any other provisions 
of law, no person shall generally be subject to penalty for failing to 
comply with a collection of information that does not display a valid 
OMB Control Number. See 5 CFR 1320.5(a) and 1320.6.
    DOL seeks PRA authorization for this information collection for 
three (3) years. OMB authorization for an ICR cannot be for more than 
three (3) years without renewal. The DOL notes that information 
collection requirements submitted to the OMB for existing ICRs receive 
a month-to-month extension while they undergo review.
    Agency: DOL-MSHA.
    Title of Collection: Notification of Methane Detected in 
Underground Metal and Nonmetal Mine Atmospheres.
    OMB Control Number: 1219-0103.
    Affected Public: Private Sector: Businesses or other for-profits.
    Total Estimated Number of Respondents: 6.
    Total Estimated Number of Responses: 319.
    Total Estimated Annual Time Burden: 28 hours.
    Total Estimated Annual Other Costs Burden: $0.
    Authority: 44 U.S.C. 3507(a)(1)(D).

Nora Hernandez,
Department Clearance Officer.
[FR Doc. 2021-25639 Filed 11-23-21; 8:45 am]
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