Notice2023-15591
Proposed Extension of Information Collection; Rock Burst Control Plan, (Pertains to Underground Metal/Nonmetal 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
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 the Rock Burst Control Plan, (Pertains to Underground Metal/Nonmetal Mines).
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 47524-47525]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2023-15591]
[[Page 47524]]
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DEPARTMENT OF LABOR
Mine Safety and Health Administration
[OMB Control No. 1219-0097]
Proposed Extension of Information Collection; Rock Burst Control
Plan, (Pertains to Underground Metal/Nonmetal 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. Mine
Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) is soliciting comments on the
information collection for the Rock Burst Control Plan, (Pertains to
Underground Metal/Nonmetal Mines).
DATES: All comments must be received on or before September 22, 2023.
ADDRESSES: Comments concerning the information collection requirements
of this notice may be sent by any of the methods listed below. Please
note that late, untimely filed comments will not be considered.
<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-2023-0025.
<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#18554b50593671767e776a75796c717776367b7774747d7b6c7177766b587c7774367f776e"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="dc918f949df2b5b2bab3aeb1bda8b5b3b2f2bfb3b0b0b9bfa8b5b3b2af9cb8b3b0f2bbb3aa">[email protected]</span></a> (email); (202) 693-9440 (voice);
or (202) 693-9441 (facsimile). These are not toll-free numbers.
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 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.
II. Desired Focus of Comments
MSHA is soliciting comments concerning the proposed information
collection related to Rock Burst Control Plan, (Pertains to Underground
Metal/Nonmetal 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, Office of Standards, Regulations, and Variances, 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 CONTACT
section of this notice.
III. Current Actions
This request for collection of information contains provisions for
Rock Burst Control Plan, (Pertains to Underground Metal/Nonmetal
Mines). 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: 1219-0097.
Affected Public: Business or other for-profit.
[[Page 47525]]
Number of Annual Respondents: 1.
Frequency: On occasion.
Number of Annual Responses: 1.
Annual Burden Hours: 12 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, Mine Safety and Health Administration.
[FR Doc. 2023-15591 Filed 7-21-23; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4510-43-P
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