Notice2023-15583
Proposed Extension of Information Collection; Examinations and Testing of Electrical Equipment, Including Examination, Testing, and Maintenance of High Voltage Longwalls
Primary source
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Published
July 24, 2023
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. Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) is soliciting comments on the information collection for Examinations and Testing of Electrical Equipment, Including Examination, Testing, and Maintenance of High Voltage Longwalls.
Full Text
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<title>Federal Register, Volume 88 Issue 140 (Monday, July 24, 2023)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 88, Number 140 (Monday, July 24, 2023)]
[Notices]
[Pages 47520-47521]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2023-15583]
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DEPARTMENT OF LABOR
Mine Safety and Health Administration
[OMB Control No. 1219-0116]
Proposed Extension of Information Collection; Examinations and
Testing of Electrical Equipment, Including Examination, Testing, and
Maintenance of High Voltage Longwalls
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. Mine
Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) is soliciting comments on the
information collection for Examinations and Testing of Electrical
Equipment, Including Examination, Testing, and Maintenance of High
Voltage Longwalls.
DATES: All comments must be received on or before September 22, 2023.
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 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-2023-xxxx.
<bullet> 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.
<bullet> MSHA will post all comments 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#8ac7d9c2cba4e3e4ece5f8e7ebfee3e5e4a4e9e5e6e6efe9fee3e5e4f9caeee5e6a4ede5fc"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="024f514a432c6b6c646d706f63766b6d6c2c616d6e6e6761766b6d6c7142666d6e2c656d74">[email protected]</span></a> (email); (202) 693-9440 (voice);
or (202) 693-9441 (facsimile). This not a toll-free number.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
I. Background
Section 103(h) of the Federal Mine Safety and Health Act of 1977
(Mine Act) (Pub. L. 91-173, as amended by Pub. L. 95-164), 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 (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.
Inadequate maintenance of electric equipment is a major cause of
serious electrical accidents in the coal mining industry. It is
imperative that mine operators adopt and follow an effective
maintenance program to ensure that electric equipment is maintained in
a safe operating condition to prevent electrocutions, mine fires, and
mine explosions. MSHA regulations require the mine operator to
establish an electrical maintenance program by specifying minimum
requirements for the examination, testing, and maintenance of electric
equipment. The regulations also contain recordkeeping requirements that
help operators in implementing an effective maintenance program.
(a) Examinations of Electric Equipment
<bullet> Underground Coal Mines
(1) 30 CFR 75.512 requires that all electric equipment be
frequently examined, tested, and maintained by a qualified person to
assure safe operating conditions. When a potentially dangerous
condition is found on electric equipment, such equipment shall be
removed from service until such condition is corrected and that a
record of such examinations be kept. 30 CFR 75.512-2 specifies that
required examinations and tests be made at least weekly.
(2) 30 CFR 75.703-3(d)(11) requires that all grounding diodes be
tested, examined, and maintained as electric equipment and records of
these activities be kept in accordance with the provisions of 30 CFR
75.512.
<bullet> Surface Coal Mines and Surface Work Areas of Underground Coal
Mines
(3) 30 CFR 77.502 requires that electric equipment be frequently
examined, tested, and maintained by a qualified person to ensure safe
operating conditions. When a potentially dangerous condition is found
on electric equipment, such equipment shall be removed from service
until such condition is corrected and that a record of such
examinations be kept. 30 CFR 77.502-2 requires these examinations and
tests at least monthly.
(b) Examinations of High-Voltage Circuit Breakers
<bullet> Underground Coal Mines
(1) 30 CFR 75.800 requires that circuit breakers protecting high-
voltage circuits, which enter the underground area of a coal mine, be
properly tested and maintained as prescribed by the Secretary. Such
breakers must be equipped with devices to provide protection against
under-voltage grounded phase, short circuit, and overcurrent. 30 CFR
75.800-3 requires that such circuit breakers be tested and examined at
least once each month. Tests must include: (1) Breaking continuity of
the ground check conductor, where ground check monitoring is used; and
(2) Actuating at least two (2) of the auxiliary protective relays.
Examination must include visual observation of all components of the
circuit breaker and its auxiliary devices, and such repairs or
adjustments as are indicated by such tests and examinations shall be
carried out immediately. 30 CFR 75.800-4 requires that a record of the
examinations and tests be made. These records must be made in a secure
book that is not susceptible to alteration or electronically in a
computer system so as to be secure and not susceptible to alteration.
These records shall be retained at a surface location at the mine for
at least one year and shall be made available to authorized
representatives of the Secretary, the representative of miners, and
other interested persons.
(2) 30 CFR 75.820 requires persons to lock-out and tag
disconnecting devices when working on circuits and
[[Page 47521]]
equipment associated with high-voltage longwalls.
(3) 30 CFR 75.821(a) requires testing and examination of each unit
of high-voltage longwall equipment and circuits to determine that
electrical protection, equipment grounding, permissibility, cable
insulation, and control devices are being properly maintained to
prevent fire, electrical shock, ignition, or operational hazards. These
tests and examinations, including the activation of the ground-fault
test circuit, are required once every seven days. 30 CFR 75.821(b)
requires that each ground-wire monitor and associated circuits be
examined and tested at least once every 30 days. 30 CFR 75.821(d)
requires that, at the completion of examinations and tests, the person
making the examinations and tests must certify that they have been
conducted. In addition, a record must be made of any unsafe condition
found and any corrective action taken. These certifications and records
must be kept at least 1 year.
<bullet> Surface Coal Mines and Surface Work Areas of Underground Coal
Mines
(4) 30 CFR 77.800 requires that circuit breakers protecting high-
voltage portable or mobile equipment be properly tested and maintained.
30 CFR 77.800-1 requires that such circuit breakers be tested and
examined at least once each month by a person qualified as provided in
77.103. Tests must include: (1) Breaking continuity of the ground check
conductor where ground check monitoring is used; and (2) Actuating any
of the auxiliary protective relays. Examination must include visual
observation of all components of the circuit breaker and its auxiliary
devices, and such repairs or adjustments as are indicated by such tests
and examinations shall be carried out immediately. 30 CFR 77.800-2
requires a record of each test, examination, repair, or adjustment of
all circuit breakers protecting high-voltage circuits. Such record must
be kept in a book approved by the Secretary.
(c) Examinations of Low- and Medium-Voltage Circuits
<bullet> Underground Coal Mines
(1) 30 CFR 75.900 requires that circuit breakers protecting low-
and medium-voltage power circuits serving three-phase alternating-
current equipment be properly tested and maintained. 30 CFR 75.900-3
requires that such circuit breakers be tested and examined at least
once each month by a person qualified as provided in 75.153. 30 CFR
75.900-4 requires the operator of any coal mine shall maintain a
written record of each test, examination, repair, or adjustment of all
circuit breakers protecting low- and medium-voltage circuits serving
three-phase alternating current equipment used in the mine. Such record
shall be kept in a book approved by the Secretary.
<bullet> Surface Coal Mines and Surface Work Areas of Underground Coal
Mines
(2) 30 CFR 77.900 requires that circuit breakers protecting low-
and medium-voltage circuits which supply power to portable or mobile
three-phase alternating-current equipment be properly tested and
maintained. 30 CFR 77.900-1 requires that such circuit breakers be
tested and examined at least once each month by a person qualified as
provided in 77.103. 30 CFR 77.900-2 requires that a record of the
examinations and tests be made.
(d) Tests and Calibrations of Automatic Circuit Interrupting Devices
30 CFR 75.1001-1(b) requires that automatic circuit interrupting
devices that protect trolley wires and trolley feeder wires be tested
and calibrated at intervals not to exceed 6 months. An authorized
representative of the Secretary may require additional testing or
calibration of these devices. 30 CFR 75.1001-1(c) requires that a
record of the tests and calibrations be kept.
II. Desired Focus of Comments
MSHA is soliciting comments concerning the proposed information
collection related to Examinations and Testing of Electrical Equipment,
Including Examination, Testing, and Maintenance of High Voltage
Longwalls. 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 USDOL-
Mine Safety and Health Administration, 201 12th 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 information collection request concerns provisions for
Examinations and Testing of Electrical Equipment, Including
Examination, Testing, and Maintenance of High Voltage Longwalls. 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: 1219-0116.
Affected Public: Business or other for-profit.
Number of Annual Respondents: 755.
Number of Annual Responses: 359,146.
Frequency: On occasion.
Annual Burden Hours: 67,313 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>.
Song-ae Aromie Noe,
Certifying Officer, Mine Safety and Health Administration.
[FR Doc. 2023-15583 Filed 7-21-23; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4510-43-P
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</html>Indexed from Federal Register on July 24, 2023.
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.