Notice2024-01119
Proposed Extension of Information Collection; Proximity Detection Systems for Continuous Mining Machines in 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 22, 2024
Issuing agencies
Labor DepartmentMine Safety and Health Administration
Abstract
The Department of Labor (DOL), 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. The Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) is soliciting comments on the information collection for Proximity Detection Systems for Continuous Mining Machines in Underground Coal Mines.
Full Text
<html>
<head>
<title>Federal Register, Volume 89 Issue 14 (Monday, January 22, 2024)</title>
</head>
<body><pre>
[Federal Register Volume 89, Number 14 (Monday, January 22, 2024)]
[Notices]
[Pages 3951-3952]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2024-01119]
=======================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF LABOR
Mine Safety and Health Administration
[OMB Control No. 1219-0148]
Proposed Extension of Information Collection; Proximity Detection
Systems for Continuous Mining Machines in Underground Coal Mines
AGENCY: Mine Safety and Health Administration, Labor.
ACTION: Request for public comments.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: The Department of Labor (DOL), 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. The Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) is
soliciting comments on the information collection for Proximity
Detection Systems for Continuous Mining Machines in Underground Coal
Mines.
DATES: All comments must be received on or before March 22, 2024.
ADDRESSES: Comments concerning the information collection requirements
of this notice may be sent by any of the methods listed below. Please
note that late comments received after the deadline will not be
considered.
<bullet> Federal E-Rulemaking Portal: <a href="https://www.regulations.gov">https://www.regulations.gov</a>.
Follow the on-line instructions for submitting comments for docket
number MSHA-2023-0057.
<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#1f524c575e31767179706d727e6b767071317c7073737a7c6b7670716c5f7b707331787069"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="eba6b8a3aac582858d8499868a9f828485c5888487878e889f82848598ab8f8487c58c849d">[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,
as amended (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(a), 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.
Under 30 CFR 75.1732, underground coal mine operators must equip
continuous mining machines, except full-face continuous mining
machines, with proximity detection systems. Miners working near
continuous mining machines face pinning, crushing, and striking hazards
that result in accidents
[[Page 3952]]
involving life-threatening injuries and death. Proximity detection is a
technology that uses electronic sensors to detect the motion or the
location of one object relative to another. Proximity detection systems
provide a warning and stop continuous mining machines before a pinning,
crushing, or striking accident occurs that could result in injury or
death to a miner.
Under 30 CFR 75.1732(d)(1), at the completion of the check of the
machine-mounted components of the proximity detection system described
under 75.1732(c)(1), a certified person must certify by initials, date,
and time that the check was conducted. The certified person is defined
under 30 CFR 75.100 as a person who has been certified as a mine
foreman (mine manager), an assistant mine foreman (section foreman), or
a preshift examiner (mine examiner). Defects found as a result of the
check, including corrective actions and dates of corrective actions,
must be recorded before the end of the shift.
Under 30 CFR 75.1732(d)(2), the operator must make a record of the
defects found as a result of the checks of miner-wearable components
required under 75.1732(c)(2), including corrective actions and dates of
corrective actions.
Under 30 CFR 75.1732(d)(3), the operator must make a record of the
persons trained in the installation and maintenance of proximity
detection systems under 75.1732(b)(6).
Under 30 CFR 75.1732(d)(4), the operator must maintain records in a
secure book or electronically in a secure computer system not
susceptible to alteration.
Under 30 CFR 75.1732(d)(5), the operator must retain records for at
least one year and make them available for inspection by authorized
representatives of the Secretary and representatives of miners.
II. Desired Focus of Comments
MSHA is soliciting comments concerning the proposed information
collection related to Proximity Detection Systems for Continuous Mining
Machines in 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 information collection request concerns provisions for
Proximity Detection Systems for Continuous Mining Machines in
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: 1219-0148.
Affected Public: Business or other for-profit.
Number of Annual Respondents: 168.
Frequency: Annually.
Number of Annual Responses: 245,337.
Annual Burden Hours: 697 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 proposed information collection request; they will
become a matter of public record and 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. 2024-01119 Filed 1-19-24; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4510-43-P
</pre><script data-cfasync="false" src="/cdn-cgi/scripts/5c5dd728/cloudflare-static/email-decode.min.js"></script></body>
</html>Indexed from Federal Register on January 22, 2024.
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.