[Federal Register Volume 87, Number 160 (Friday, August 19, 2022)]
[Notices]
[Pages 51149-51150]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2022-17908]


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DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Mine Safety and Health Administration

[OMB Control No. 1219-0025]


Proposed Extension of Information Collection: Applications For 
Permits To Fire More than 20 Boreholes and For Use of Non-permissible 
Blasting Units, Explosives, and Shot-Firing Units; and Posting Notices 
of Misfires

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 Applications For 
Permits to Fire More than 20 Boreholes and For Use of Non-permissible 
Blasting Units, Explosives, and Shot-firing Units; and Posting Notices 
of Misfires.

DATES: All comments must be received on or before October 18, 2022.

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-2022-0035.
     Mail/Hand Delivery: Mail or visit DOL-MSHA, Office of 
Standards, Regulations, and Variances, 201 12th Street South, Suite 
4E401, Arlington, VA 22202-5452. Before visiting MSHA in person, call 
202-693-9455 to make an appointment, in keeping with the Department of 
Labor's COVID-19 policy. Special health precautions may be required.
     MSHA will post your comment as well as any attachments, 
except for information submitted and marked as confidential, in the 
docket at https://www.regulations.gov.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: S. Aromie Noe, 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.
    Under Section 313 of the Federal Mine Safety and Health Act of 1977 
(Mine Act), 30 U.S.C. Section 873, any explosives used in underground 
coal mines must be permissible. The Mine Act also provides that, under 
safeguards prescribed by the Secretary, the firing of more than 20 
shots and the use of non-permissible explosives in sinking shafts and 
slopes from the surface in rock may be permitted. 30 CFR 75.1321 
outlines the procedures by which a permit may be issued for the firing 
of more than 20 boreholes and for the use of non-permissible shot-
firing units in underground coal mines. At surface coal mines and 
surface work areas of underground coal mines, 30 CFR 77.1909-1 outlines 
the procedures by which a coal mine operator may apply for a permit to 
use non-permissible explosives and/or shot-firing units in the blasting 
of rock during the development of shafts or slopes. Additionally, in 
the event of a misfire of explosives, 30 CFR 75.1327 requires that a 
qualified person post a warning to prohibit entry at each accessible 
entrance to the affected area.

II. Desired Focus of Comments

    MSHA is soliciting comments concerning the proposed information 
collection related to Applications For Permits to Fire More than 20 
Boreholes and For Use of Non-permissible Blasting Units, Explosives, 
and Shot-firing Units; and Posting Notices of Misfires. 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

[[Page 51150]]

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 DOL-
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. Before visiting MSHA in person, call 202-
693-9455 to make an appointment, in keeping with the Department of 
Labor's COVID-19 policy. Special health precautions may be required.
    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 
Applications For Permits to Fire More than 20 Boreholes and For Use of 
Non-permissible Blasting Units, Explosives, and Shot-firing Units; and 
Posting Notices of Misfires. 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: 1219-0025.
    Affected Public: Business or other for-profit.
    Number of Respondents: 41.
    Frequency: On occasion.
    Number of Responses: 42.
    Annual Burden Hours: 41 hours.
    Annual Respondent or Recordkeeper Cost: $150.
    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.

Song-Ae Aromie Noe,
Certifying Officer.
[FR Doc. 2022-17908 Filed 8-18-22; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4510-43-P