Notice2022-01451
Proposed Extension of Information Collection; Ground Control for Surface Coal Mines and Surface Work Areas of 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
January 26, 2022
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 Ground Control for Surface Coal Mines and Surface Work Areas of Underground Coal Mines.
Full Text
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<title>Federal Register, Volume 87 Issue 17 (Wednesday, January 26, 2022)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 87, Number 17 (Wednesday, January 26, 2022)]
[Notices]
[Pages 4047-4048]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2022-01451]
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DEPARTMENT OF LABOR
Mine Safety and Health Administration
[OMB Control No. 1219-0026]
Proposed Extension of Information Collection; Ground Control for
Surface Coal Mines and Surface Work Areas of 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 Ground Control
for Surface Coal Mines and Surface Work Areas of Underground Coal
Mines.
DATES: All comments must be received on or before March 28, 2022.
ADDRESSES: You may submit comments 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 MSHA-2021-0039.
Comments, including attachments, submitted electronically 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. 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.
<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: S. Aromie Noe, Acting Director, Office
of Standards, Regulations, and Variances, MSHA, at
<a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#84c9d7ccc5aaedeae2ebf6e9e5f0edebeaaae7ebe8e8e1e7f0edebeaf7c4e0ebe8aae3ebf2"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="df928c979ef1b6b1b9b0adb2beabb6b0b1f1bcb0b3b3babcabb6b0b1ac9fbbb0b3f1b8b0a9">[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 103(h) requires that every operator of a coal
or other mine establish and maintain records, make reports, and provide
required
[[Page 4048]]
information to the Secretary of Labor (Secretary). Section 101(a) of
the Mine Act, 30 U.S.C. 811(a), authorizes the 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 or other mines.
Each operator of a surface coal mine is required under 30 CFR
77.1000 to establish and follow a ground control plan for highwalls,
pits, and spoil banks that is consistent with prudent engineering
design and which will ensure safe working conditions. The mine operator
is required by section 77.1000-1 to file the ground control plan with
the appropriate District Manager. The mining methods employed by the
operator are selected to ensure highwall, pit, and spoil bank
stability. In the event of a highwall failure or material dislodgment,
there may be very little time to escape possible injury; therefore,
preventive measures must be taken. Each plan is based on the type of
strata expected to be encountered, the height and angle of highwalls
and spoil banks, and the equipment to be used at the mine. The plan is
used to show how the mine operator will maintain safe working
conditions around the highwalls, pits, and spoil banks. Each plan is
reviewed by MSHA to ensure that highwalls, pits, and spoil banks are
maintained in a safe condition through implementation of sound
engineering design.
II. Desired Focus of Comments
MSHA is soliciting comments concerning the proposed information
collection related to Ground Control for Surface Coal Mines and Surface
Work Areas of 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
related to the information collection, including the validity of the
methodology and assumptions used in the estimate;
<bullet> Suggest methods to enhance the quality, utility, and
clarity of the information to be collected; and
<bullet> Minimize the burden of the information collection 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 ground
control for surface coal mines and surface work areas of 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: 1219-0026.
Affected Public: Business or other for-profit.
Number of Respondents: 287.
Frequency: On occasion.
Number of Responses: 287.
Annual Burden Hours: 1,962 hours.
Annual Respondent or Recordkeeper Cost: $545.
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>.
Song-ae Aromie Noe,
Certifying Officer.
[FR Doc. 2022-01451 Filed 1-25-22; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4510-43-P
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This is legal information, not legal advice. Laws vary by jurisdiction and change frequently. Always verify current law with official sources and consult a licensed attorney in your jurisdiction for advice on your specific situation.