[Federal Register Volume 88, Number 140 (Monday, July 24, 2023)]
[Notices]
[Pages 47524-47525]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2023-15591]



[[Page 47524]]

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DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Mine Safety and Health Administration

[OMB Control No. 1219-0097]


Proposed Extension of Information Collection; Rock Burst Control 
Plan, (Pertains to Underground Metal/Nonmetal 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. Mine 
Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) is soliciting comments on the 
information collection for the Rock Burst Control Plan, (Pertains to 
Underground Metal/Nonmetal Mines).

DATES: All comments must be received on or before September 22, 2023.

ADDRESSES: Comments concerning the information collection requirements 
of this notice may be sent by any of the methods listed below. Please 
note that late, untimely filed comments will not be considered.
     Federal E-Rulemaking Portal: http://www.regulations.gov. 
Follow the on-line instructions for submitting comments for docket 
number MSHA-2023-0025.
     Mail/Hand Delivery: 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 all comments 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). These are not toll-free numbers.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

I. Background

    Section 103(h) of the Federal Mine Safety and Health Act of 1977 
(Mine Act) (Pub. L. 91-173, as amended by Pub. L. 95-164), 30 U.S.C. 
813(h), authorizes the Mine Safety and Health Administration (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.
    30 CFR 57.3461 requires operators of underground metal and nonmetal 
mines which have experienced a rock burst to report to the nearest MSHA 
office of each rock burst within 24 hours. These mine operators are 
also required to develop and implement a rock burst control plan within 
90 days after a rock burst has been experienced. Plans are required to 
include: (1) mining and operating procedures designed to reduce the 
occurrence of rock bursts; (2) monitoring procedures where detection 
methods are used; and (3) other measures to minimize exposure of 
persons to areas prone to rock bursts. Plans are also required to be 
updated as conditions warrant and are to be made available to MSHA 
inspectors and to miners or their representatives. The standard does 
not require that all underground metal and nonmetal mines develop these 
preventative measures, but it does require that all mines with a rock 
burst history develop and implement a rock burst control plan.
    Rock bursts pose a serious threat to the safety of miners in the 
area affected by the burst. These bursts may reasonably be expected to 
result in the entrapment of miners, serious physical harm, and death. 
Recent mining technology utilizes scientific methods of monitoring rock 
stresses which allows for the prediction of an oncoming burst. These 
predictions can be used by the mine operator to move miners to safer 
locations and to identify areas which need relief drilling.

II. Desired Focus of Comments

    MSHA is soliciting comments concerning the proposed information 
collection related to Rock Burst Control Plan, (Pertains to Underground 
Metal/Nonmetal 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;
     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-
MSHA, Office of Standards, Regulations, and Variances, 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. 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 CONTACT 
section of this notice.

III. Current Actions

    This request for collection of information contains provisions for 
Rock Burst Control Plan, (Pertains to Underground Metal/Nonmetal 
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: 1219-0097.
    Affected Public: Business or other for-profit.

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    Number of Annual Respondents: 1.
    Frequency: On occasion.
    Number of Annual Responses: 1.
    Annual Burden Hours: 12 hours.
    Annual Respondent or Recordkeeper Cost: $0.
    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, Mine Safety and Health Administration.
[FR Doc. 2023-15591 Filed 7-21-23; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4510-43-P