[Federal Register Volume 88, Number 246 (Tuesday, December 26, 2023)]
[Notices]
[Pages 88971-88972]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2023-28353]


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DEPARTMENT OF LABOR


Agency Information Collection Activities; Submission for OMB 
Review; Comment Request; Rock Burst Control Plan (Pertains to 
Underground Metal/Nonmetal Mines)

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 January 25, 2024.

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) 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; (3) ways to enhance the quality, 
utility and clarity of the information collection; and (4) ways to 
minimize the burden of the

[[Page 88972]]

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: Michael Howell by telephone at 202-
693-6782, or by email at [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Section 103(h) of the Federal Mine Safety 
and Health Act of 1977 (Mine Act), as amended 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. For 
additional substantive information about this ICR, see the related 
notice published in the Federal Register on July 24, 2023 (88 FR 
47524).
    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.
    Agency: DOL-MSHA.
    Title of Collection: Rock Burst Control Plan (Pertains to 
Underground Metal/Nonmetal Mines).
    OMB Control Number: 1219-0097.
    Affected Public: Businesses or other for-profits.
    Number of Respondents: 1.
    Frequency: On occasion.
    Number of Responses: 1.
    Annual Burden Hours: 12 hours.
    Total Estimated Annual Other Costs Burden: $0.

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

Michael Howell,
Senior Paperwork Reduction Act Analyst.
[FR Doc. 2023-28353 Filed 12-22-23; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4510-43-P