[Federal Register Volume 88, Number 146 (Tuesday, August 1, 2023)]
[Notices]
[Pages 50178-50179]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2023-16259]


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DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Mine Safety and Health Administration

[OMB Control No. 1219-0034]


Proposed Extension of Information Collection; Records of Tests 
and of Examinations of Personnel Hoisting Equipment

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. The 
Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) is soliciting comments on 
the information collection for Records of Tests and of Examinations of 
Personnel Hoisting Equipment.

DATES: All comments must be received on or before October 2, 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-2023-0036.
     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), Public Law 95-164 as amended, 30 U.S.C. 813(h), authorizes 
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 (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 nonmental mines.
    MSHA's mandatory standards for hoists and appurtenances, including 
wire rope, used for hoisting persons for both surface and underground 
metal and nonmetal mines are referenced in 30 CFR 56 and 30 CFR 57, for 
underground coal mines in 30 CFR 75, and for surface coal mines and 
surface work areas of underground coal mines in 30 CFR 77.

Initial Wire Rope Diameter Measurement

    30 CFR 56.19022, 30 CFR 57.19022, 30 CFR 75.1432 and 30 CFR 77.1432 
require the diameter of newly installed wire rope to be measured at 
least once in every third interval of the rope's active length to 
establish a baseline for subsequent semiannual measurements. A record 
of the measurements is required to be made and retained until the rope 
is retired from service.

Biweekly and Daily Visual Examinations of Wire Ropes and Hoists

    30 CFR 56.19023(a), 57.19023(a), 75.1433(a), and 77.1433(a) require 
the wire rope to be examined visually at least every fourteen days for 
visible structural damage, corrosion, and improper lubrication or 
dressing. If the examination reveals weakening portions of the rope, 
the weakened portions must be monitored daily for further deterioration 
until retirement criteria require that the rope be removed from 
service. 30 CFR 56.19023(d), 57.19023(d), 75.1433(d), and 77.1433(d) 
require that the person conducting the examination must certify that 
the examination was made and the condition of weakening portions. The 
records must be retained for one year.

[[Page 50179]]

    30 CFR 56.19121 and 30 CFR 57.19121 require the person conducting 
the inspections, tests, or examinations of hoisting equipment to 
certify by signature and date that these activities have been done. A 
record of any part that is not functioning properly must be made and 
dated. All certifications and records must be retained for 1 year.
    30 CFR 75.1400-3 and 77.1403 require hoists and elevators to be 
examined daily. 30 CFR 75.1400-4 and 77.1404 require a record to be 
made of each daily examination, including the condition and date if any 
unsafe condition is found during the examination. All certifications 
and records must be retained for 1 year.
    30 CFR 77.1906 requires a daily examination of hoists used to 
transport persons. The person making the examination must certify that 
the examination has been made. If any unsafe condition is found during 
the examination, the person conducting the examination must make a 
record of the condition. All certifications and records must be 
retained for 1 year.

Semiannual Tests and Measurement of Wire Ropes

    30 CFR 56.19023(c), 57.19023(c), 75.1433(c), and 77.1433(c) also 
require, at least once every six months, mine operators to conduct 
nondestructive tests of the active length of the rope or measure rope 
diameter, wherever wear is evident or at regular stopping points, or 
the rope rests on sheaves or leaves the drum, or at drum cross over and 
changing-of-layer regions. 30 CFR 56.19023(e), 57.19023(e), 75.1433(c), 
and 77.1433(c) require the records of nondestructive tests and 
measurements must be dated and retained until the rope is retired from 
service.

Safety Catches

    30 CFR 75.1400(c) requires that cages, platforms, or other devices 
used to transport persons in shafts and slopes shall be equipped with 
safety catches or other no less effective devices approved by the 
Secretary that act quickly and effectively in an emergency. Such 
catches or devices shall be tested at least once every two months. 30 
CFR 75.1400-2 requires a record to be made of tests conducted on safety 
catches. Each entry must be signed by the person performing the tests 
and countersigned by a responsible official.

II. Desired Focus of Comments

    MSHA is soliciting comments concerning the proposed information 
collection related to Records of Tests and of Examinations of Personnel 
Hoisting Equipment. 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 section of 
this notice.

III. Current Actions

    This request for collection of information contains provisions for 
Records of Tests and of Examinations of Personnel Hoisting Equipment. 
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: 1219-0034.
    Affected Public: Business or other for-profit.
    Number of Annual Respondents: 225.
    Frequency: On occasion.
    Number of Annual Responses: 61,265.
    Annual Burden Hours: 5,114 hours.
    Annual Respondent or Recordkeeper Cost: $270,000.
    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. 2023-16259 Filed 7-31-23; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4510-43-P