[Federal Register Volume 87, Number 227 (Monday, November 28, 2022)]
[Notices]
[Pages 73039-73040]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2022-25875]


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DEPARTMENT OF LABOR


Agency Information Collection Activities; Submission for OMB 
Review; Comment Request; Application for a Permit To Fire More Than 20 
Boreholes and for the Use of Nonpermissible Blasting Units, Explosives, 
and Shot-Firing Units; Posting Notices of Misfires

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 the agency 
receives on or before December 28, 2022.

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: Under section 313 of the Federal Mine Safety 
and Health Act of 1977 (Mine Act), 30 U.S.C. 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 nonpermissible 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 nonpermissible 
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 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. For additional substantive information 
about this ICR, see the related notice published in the Federal 
Register on August 19, 2022 (87 FR 51149).
    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: Application for a Permit to Fire More than 20 
Boreholes and for the Use of Nonpermissible

[[Page 73040]]

Blasting Units, Explosives, and Shot-firing Units; Posting Notices of 
Misfires.
    OMB Control Number: 1219-0025.
    Affected Public: Businesses or other for-profits institutions.
    Total Estimated Number of Respondents: 41.
    Total Estimated Number of Responses: 42.
    Total Estimated Annual Time Burden: 41 hours.
    Total Estimated Annual Other Costs Burden: $150.

(Authority: 44 U.S.C. 3507(a)(1)(D).)

Nora Hernandez,
Departmental Clearance Officer.
[FR Doc. 2022-25875 Filed 11-25-22; 8:45 am]
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