Notice2021-18712
Proposed Extension of Information Collection; Safety Standards for Roof Bolts in Metal and Nonmetal Mines and Underground Coal Mines
Primary source
Metadata and text below are from the Federal Register, a public-domain U.S. government work. Always verify the official published version before relying on it for any legal matter.
Published
August 31, 2021
Issuing agencies
Labor DepartmentMine Safety and Health Administration
Abstract
The Department of Labor, as part of its continuing effort to reduce paperwork and respondent burden, conducts a pre-clearance request for comment 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 request 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 Safety Standards for Roof Bolts in Metal and Nonmetal Mines and Underground Coal Mines.
Full Text
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<title>Federal Register, Volume 86 Issue 166 (Tuesday, August 31, 2021)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 86, Number 166 (Tuesday, August 31, 2021)]
[Notices]
[Pages 48768-48769]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2021-18712]
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DEPARTMENT OF LABOR
Mine Safety and Health Administration
[OMB Control No. 1219-0121]
Proposed Extension of Information Collection; Safety Standards
for Roof Bolts in Metal and Nonmetal Mines and Underground Coal 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
request for comment 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 request
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 Safety Standards
for Roof Bolts in Metal and Nonmetal Mines and Underground Coal Mines.
DATES: All comments must be received on or before November 1, 2021.
ADDRESSES: You may submit comment as follows. Please note that late,
untimely filed comments will not be considered.
Electronic Submissions: Submit electronic comments in the following
way:
<bullet> Federal eRulemaking Portal: <a href="https://www.regulations.gov">https://www.regulations.gov</a>.
Follow the instructions for submitting comments for docket number MSHA-
2021-0027. Comments submitted electronically, including attachments, to
<a href="https://www.regulations.gov">https://www.regulations.gov</a> will be posted to the docket, with no
changes. Because your comment will be made public, you are responsible
for ensuring that your comment does not include any confidential
information that you or a third party may not wish to be posted, such
as your or anyone else's Social Security number or confidential
business information.
<bullet> If your comment includes confidential information that you
do not wish to be made available to the public, submit the comment as a
written/paper submission.
Written/Paper Submissions: Submit written/paper submissions in the
following way:
<bullet> Mail/Hand Delivery: Mail or visit DOL-MSHA, Office of
Standards, Regulations, and Variances, 201 12th Street South, Suite
4E401, Arlington, VA 22202-5452.
<bullet> MSHA will post your comment as well as any attachments,
except for information submitted and marked as confidential, in the
docket at <a href="https://www.regulations.gov">https://www.regulations.gov</a>.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Jessica Senk, Director, Office of
Standards, Regulations, and Variances, MSHA, at
<a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#fab7a9b2bbd493949c9588979b8e939594d4999596969f998e93959489ba9e9596d49d958c"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="eca1bfa4adc285828a839e818d98858382c28f838080898f988583829fac888380c28b839a">[email protected]</span></a> (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.
Accidents involving falls of roof, face, and rib in underground
mines or falls of highwall in surface mines, historically, have been
among the leading causes of miners' injuries and deaths. Prevention or
control of falls of roof, face, and rib is uniquely difficult because
of the variety of conditions encountered in mines that can affect the
stability of various types of strata and the changing nature of the
forces affecting ground stability at any given operation and time. Roof
and rock bolts and accessories are integral parts of ground control
systems and are used to prevent the fall of roof, face, and rib.
Advancements in the technology of roof and rock bolts and accessories
have aided in reducing the hazards associated with falls of roof, face,
and rib.
The American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) publication
``Standard Specification for Roof and Rock Bolts and Accessories'' is a
[[Page 48769]]
consensus standard used throughout the United States. It contains
specifications for the chemical, mechanical, and dimensional
requirements for roof and rock bolts and accessories used for ground
support systems. The ASTM standard for roof and rock bolts and
accessories is updated periodically to reflect advances in technology.
Title 30 Code of Federal Regulations, parts 56 and 57 Subpart B-
Ground Control, sections 56.3203 and 57.3203, and part 75 Subpart C-
Roof Support, section 75.204, address the quality of roof and rock
bolts and accessories and their installation. MSHA's objective in these
regulations is to ensure the quality and effectiveness of roof and rock
bolts and accessories and, as technology evolves, to allow for the use
of new materials which are proven to be reliable and effective in
controlling the mine roof, face, and rib.
Title 30 CFR 56.3203(a), 57.3203(a), and 75.204(a) require: (1)
That mine operators obtain a certification from the manufacturer that
roof and rock bolts and accessories are manufactured and tested in
accordance with the applicable ASTM specifications, and (2) that the
manufacturer's certification is made available to an authorized
representative of the Secretary.
Title 30 CFR 56.3203(h) and 57.3203(h) require that if the mine
operator uses other tensioned and non-tensioned fixtures and
accessories for ground control that are not addressed by the applicable
ASTM standard listed in sections 56.3203(a) and 57.3203(a), test
methods must be established by the mine operator and used to verify
their ground control effectiveness. Title 30 CFR 56.3203(i) and
57.3203(i) require the mine operator to certify that the tests
developed under sections 56.3203(h) and 57.3203(h) were conducted and
such certifications be made available to an authorized representative
of the Secretary.
Title 30 CFR 75.204(f)(6) requires that the mine operator or a
person designated by the operator certify by signature and date that
the measurements required by paragraph (f)(5) of this section have been
made. Paragraph (f)(5) requires that in working places from which coal
is produced during any portion of a 24-hour period, the actual torque
or tension on at least 1 out of every 10 previously installed
mechanically anchored tensioned roof bolts is measured from the outby
corner of the last open crosscut to the face in each advancing section.
This certification shall be maintained for at least 1 year and shall be
made available to an authorized representative of the Secretary and
representatives of miners.
The certification requirements are necessary to ensure compliance
with the requirements for roof and rock bolts and accessories.
II. Desired Focus of Comments
MSHA is soliciting comments concerning the proposed information
collection related to Safety Standards for Roof Bolts in Metal and
Nonmetal Mines and Underground Coal Mines. MSHA is particularly
interested in comments that:
<bullet> 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;
<bullet> Evaluate the accuracy of MSHA's estimate of the burden of
the collection of information, including the validity of the
methodology and assumptions used;
<bullet> Suggest methods to enhance the quality, utility, and
clarity of the information to be collected; and
<bullet> 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.
Background documents related to this information collection request
are available at <a href="https://regulations.gov">https://regulations.gov</a> and at DOL-MSHA located at 201
12th Street South, Suite 4E401, Arlington, VA 22202-5452. 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 information collection request concerns provisions for Safety
Standards for Roof Bolts in Metal and Nonmetal Mines and Underground
Coal Mines. MSHA has updated the data with respect to the number of
respondents, responses, burden hours, and burden costs supporting this
information collection request from the previous information collection
request.
Type of Review: Extension, without change, of a currently approved
collection.
Agency: Mine Safety and Health Administration.
OMB Number: 1219-0121.
Affected Public: Business or other for-profit.
Number of Respondents: 345.
Frequency: On occasion.
Number of Responses: 43,558.
Annual Burden Hours: 420 hours.
Annual Respondent or Recordkeeper Cost: $0.
Comments submitted in response to this notice will be summarized in
the request for Office of Management and Budget approval of the
proposed information collection request; they will become a matter of
public record and will be available at <a href="https://www.reginfo.gov">https://www.reginfo.gov</a>.
Jessica Senk,
Certifying Officer.
[FR Doc. 2021-18712 Filed 8-30-21; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4510-43-P
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