Notice2024-19016
Proposed Extension of Information Collection; Roof Control Plan for 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
August 26, 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 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. The Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) is soliciting comments on the information collection entitled Roof Control Plan for Underground Coal Mines.
Full Text
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<title>Federal Register, Volume 89 Issue 165 (Monday, August 26, 2024)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 89, Number 165 (Monday, August 26, 2024)]
[Notices]
[Pages 68469-68471]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2024-19016]
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DEPARTMENT OF LABOR
Mine Safety and Health Administration
[OMB Control No. 1219-0004]
Proposed Extension of Information Collection; Roof Control Plan
for Underground Coal Mines
AGENCY: Mine Safety and Health Administration, Labor.
ACTION: Request for public comments.
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SUMMARY: The Department of Labor (DOL), 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. The Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) is
soliciting comments on the information collection entitled Roof Control
Plan for Underground Coal Mines.
DATES: All comments must be received on or before October 25, 2024.
[[Page 68470]]
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-2024-0012.
<bullet> Mail/Hand Delivery: DOL-MSHA, Office of Standards,
Regulations, and Variances, 201 12th Street South, 4th Floor West,
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#2469776c650a4d4a424b564945504d4b4a0a474b48484147504d4b4a5764404b480a434b52"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="8cc1dfc4cda2e5e2eae3fee1edf8e5e3e2a2efe3e0e0e9eff8e5e3e2ffcce8e3e0a2ebe3fa">[email protected]</span></a> (email); (202) 693-9440 (voice);
or (202) 693-9441 (facsimile). These are not toll-free numbers.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
I. Background
A. Legal Authority
Section 103(h) of the Federal Mine Safety and Health Act of 1977,
as amended (Mine Act), 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(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, metal, and
nonmetal mines.
Section 302(a) of the Mine Act, 30 U.S.C. 862, requires that a roof
control plan and revisions thereof suitable to the roof conditions and
mining system of each underground coal mine be first approved by the
Secretary before implementation by the operator. The plan must show the
type of support and spacing approved by the Secretary, and the plan
must be reviewed at least every 6 months by the Secretary.
B. Information Collection
In order to fulfill the statutory mandates to promote miners'
health and safety, MSHA requires the collection of information entitled
Roof Control Plan for Underground Coal Mines. The information
collection is intended to ensure that underground coal mine operators
develop and maintain roof control plans approved by MSHA.
1. New Roof Control Plans and Revisions
Under 30 CFR 75.215, the roof control plan for each longwall mining
section is required to specify the methods that will be used to
maintain a safe travelway out of the section through the tailgate side
of the longwall and the procedures that will be followed if a ground
failure prevents travel out of the section through the tailgate side of
the longwall.
Under 30 CFR 75.220(a)(1), each underground coal mine operator must
develop and follow a roof control plan, approved by the District
Manager, that is suitable to the prevailing geological conditions and
the mining system to be used at the mine. The standard also requires
that additional measures be taken to protect persons if unusual hazards
are encountered.
Under 30 CFR 75.220(a)(2), the proposed roof control plan and any
revisions must be submitted, in writing, to the District Manager. The
required elements of the mine map are listed in 30 CFR 75.221(a),
including a description and drawings of the sequence of installation
and spacing of supports, a description of the methods to be used for
the protection of persons from falling material, and a description of
the roof and rib support for refuge alternatives.
Under 30 CFR 75.223(a), a mine operator must propose revisions to
the roof control plan when conditions indicate that the plan is not
suitable for controlling the roof, face, ribs, or coal or rock bursts,
or when accident and injury experience at the mine indicates the plan
is inadequate. The mine operator is required to review accident and
injury experience at each mine at least every six months.
2. Unplanned Roof or Rib Fall and Coal or Rock Burst
Under 30 CFR 75.223(b), underground coal mine operators are
required to plot each unplanned roof fall and rib fall and coal or rock
burst that occurs in the active workings on a mine map when certain
criteria are met.
3. Records
Under 30 CFR 75.220(e), the approved roof control plan and any
revisions must be available to the miners and their representatives.
Under 30 CFR 75.223(c), the mine map on which roof falls are
plotted must be available at the mine site for inspection by MSHA and
miners' representatives.
4. Plan Review and Approval
Under 30 CFR 75.220(b)(1), the mine operator will be notified in
writing of the approval or denial of approval of a proposed roof
control plan or proposed revision. Under 30 CFR 75.220(b)(2), when MSHA
denies the approval of a proposed plan or revision, the deficiencies of
the plan or revision and recommended changes are specified and the mine
operator will have an opportunity to discuss the deficiencies and
changes with the District Manager.
Roof control plans, and revisions to those plans, are evaluated by
MSHA specialists in accordance with the criteria set forth in 30 CFR
75.222. Under 30 CFR 75.222(a), the District Manager may require
additional measures in plans and may approve roof control plans that do
not conform to the applicable criteria, provided that effective control
of the roof, face, and ribs can be maintained.
Under 30 CFR 75.223(d), MSHA must review the roof control plan
every six months. This review requires MSHA to take into consideration
any falls of the roof, face, and ribs and the adequacy of the support
systems used at the time.
II. Desired Focus of Comments
MSHA is soliciting comments concerning the proposed information
collection related to Roof Control Plan for 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="https://www.regulations.gov">https://www.regulations.gov</a>. MSHA cautions commenters against providing any
[[Page 68471]]
information in the submission that should not be publicly disclosed.
Full comments, including personal information provided, will be made
available on <a href="https://www.regulations.gov">https://www.regulations.gov</a> and <a href="https://www.reginfo.gov">https://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, 4th Floor West, Arlington, VA 22202-5452. Sign in at the
receptionist's desk on the 4th Floor via the West 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 Roof
Control Plan for Underground Coal Mines. MSHA has updated the data with
respect to the number of respondents, responses, time burden, 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: 1219-0004.
Affected Public: Business or other for-profit.
Number of Annual Respondents: 167.
Frequency: On occasion.
Number of Annual Responses: 1,019.
Annual Time Burden: 2,974 hours.
Annual Other Burden Costs: $3,396.
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. 2024-19016 Filed 8-23-24; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4510-43-P
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</html>Indexed from Federal Register on August 26, 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.