Notice2022-23006
Proposed Extension of Information Collection; Program To Prevent Smoking in Hazardous 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
October 24, 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 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. Currently, the Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) is soliciting comments on the information collection for the Program to Prevent Smoking in Hazardous Areas of Underground Coal Mines.
Full Text
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<title>Federal Register, Volume 87 Issue 204 (Monday, October 24, 2022)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 87, Number 204 (Monday, October 24, 2022)]
[Notices]
[Pages 64253-64254]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2022-23006]
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DEPARTMENT OF LABOR
Mine Safety and Health Administration
[OMB Control No. 1219-0041]
Proposed Extension of Information Collection; Program To Prevent
Smoking in Hazardous 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
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.
Currently, the Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) is
soliciting comments on the information collection for the Program to
Prevent Smoking in Hazardous Areas of Underground Coal Mines.
DATES: All comments must be received on or before December 23, 2022.
ADDRESSES: Comments concerning the information collection requirements
of this notice may be sent by any of the methods listed below.
<bullet> Federal E-Rulemaking Portal: <a href="http://www.regulations.gov">http://www.regulations.gov</a>.
Follow the on-line instructions for submitting comments for docket
number MSHA-2022-0041.
<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, Director, Office of
Standards, Regulations, and Variances, MSHA, at
<a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#feb3adb6bfd0979098918c939f8a979190d09d9192929b9d8a9791908dbe9a9192d0999188"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="7538263d345b1c1b131a071814011c1a1b5b161a19191016011c1a1b0635111a195b121a03">[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 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.
Section 317(c) of the Mine Act, 30 U.S.C. 877(c), and 30 CFR
75.1702 (smoking; prohibition) prohibit persons from smoking or
carrying smoking materials underground or in places where there is a
fire or explosion hazard. Under the Mine Act, 30 U.S.C. 877(c) and 30
CFR 75.1702, coal mine operators are required to develop programs to
prevent persons from
[[Page 64254]]
carrying smoking materials, matches, or lighters underground and to
prevent smoking in hazardous areas, such as in or around oil houses,
explosives magazines, or other areas where such practice may cause a
fire or explosion.
30 CFR 75.1702-1 (smoking program) requires a mine operator to
submit a smoking prevention plan to MSHA for approval. Section 103(h)
of the Mine Act, 30 U.S.C. 813, authorizes MSHA to collect information
necessary to carry out its duty in protecting the safety and health of
miners. These information collection requirements help to ensure that a
fire or explosion hazard does not occur.
II. Desired Focus of Comments
MSHA is soliciting comments concerning the proposed information
collection related to the Program to Prevent Smoking in Hazardous 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 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.
The information collection request will be available on <a href="http://www.regulations.gov">http://www.regulations.gov</a>. 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 <a href="http://www.regulations.gov">www.regulations.gov</a> and <a href="http://www.reginfo.gov">www.reginfo.gov</a>.
The public may also examine publicly available documents at DOL-
MSHA, 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
the Program to Prevent Smoking in Hazardous Areas of Underground Coal
Mines. A smoking prevention program remains in effect for the life of
the mine; however, mines occasionally revise their programs and submit
them to MSHA. Therefore, the number of annual responses is limited to
programs developed for new mines, mines changing ownership, and an
occasional revision. In 2020 and 2021, there were 20 new and revised
smoking prevention programs approved each year by MSHA under this
standard. MSHA estimates that there are no additional costs associated
with submission of a smoking prevention program. MSHA's experience is
that a smoking prevention program is relatively straightforward,
requiring minimal effort, and a respondent typically submits the plan
along with other mandatory plans; therefore, mailing or processing
costs are not incurred by the mine operator. 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: 1219-0041.
Affected Public: Business or other for-profit.
Number of Respondents: 20.
Frequency: On occasion.
Number of Responses: 20.
Annual Burden Hours: 10 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.
[FR Doc. 2022-23006 Filed 10-21-22; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4510-43-P
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