Notice2024-22915
Proposed Extension of Information Collection; Refuge Alternatives 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
October 4, 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 entitled Refuge Alternatives for Underground Coal Mines.
Full Text
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<title>Federal Register, Volume 89 Issue 193 (Friday, October 4, 2024)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 89, Number 193 (Friday, October 4, 2024)]
[Notices]
[Pages 80938-80940]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2024-22915]
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DEPARTMENT OF LABOR
Mine Safety and Health Administration
[OMB Control No. 1219-0146]
Proposed Extension of Information Collection; Refuge Alternatives
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 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 entitled Refuge
Alternatives for Underground Coal Mines.
DATES: All comments must be received on or before December 3, 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 eRulemaking Portal: <a href="https://www.regulations.gov">https://www.regulations.gov</a>.
Follow the on-line instructions for submitting comments for docket
number MSHA-2024-0021.
<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#a5e8f6ede48bcccbc3cad7c8c4d1cccacb8bc6cac9c9c0c6d1cccacbd6e5c1cac98bc2cad3"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="cd809e858ce3a4a3aba2bfa0acb9a4a2a3e3aea2a1a1a8aeb9a4a2a3be8da9a2a1e3aaa2bb">[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
(Mine Act) as amended, 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.
B. Information Collection
In order to fulfill the statutory mandates to promote miners'
health and safety, MSHA requires the collection of information under
the information collection request entitled Refuge Alternatives for
Underground Coal Mines. The information collection is intended to
ensure that underground coal mine operators have an up-to-date
emergency response plan for refuge alternatives in case of an emergency
and maintain proper records for personnel training certifications and
examination, maintenance and repair of refuge alternatives.
1. Relocations of Refuge Alternatives
Refuge alternatives (RAs) are self-contained units within
underground mines that have an isolated atmosphere and provided
provisions in some emergency situations. Under 30 CFR
[[Page 80939]]
75.1506, the underground coal mine operator is required to provide RAs
and their components to protect miners by providing secure spaces with
isolated atmospheres that create life-sustaining environments when
escape from a mine during a mine emergency is not possible.
The location of RAs is vital to the safety of miners. Typically,
RAs are required in certain locations, such as within 1,000 feet from
the nearest working face or within one-hour travel in outby areas (75
CFR 75.1506(c)). However, the mine operator may request approval to
have the RA at a different location, if needed. Documentation of the
RA, any documents associated with alternative locations, and approval
of an Emergency Response Plan (ERP) are all required by MSHA.
Under 30 CFR 75.1506(c)(2), the mine operator may request and the
District Manager may approve a different location for the RA in the ERP
required by 30 CFR 75.1507, based on an assessment of the risk to
miners in outby areas.
Under 30 CFR 75.1507(a)(11)(ii), a mine operator may request the
District Manager's approval to update the existing ERP to locate an RA
in an alternative location if mining involves two-entry systems or
yield pillars in a longwall that would prohibit locating the RA out of
direct line of sight of the working face.
2. Emergency Response Plans (ERP)
For RAs, the ERP specifies that the breathable air components are
MSHA-approved, and the unit can withstand exposure to a flash fire of
300[deg] Fahrenheit for three seconds. The ERP must also specify that
the RA is stocked with the following: A minimum of 2,000 calories of
food and 2.25 quarts of potable water per person per day in approved
containers sufficient to sustain the number of persons reasonably
expected to use the RA for at least 96 hours, or for 48 hours if
advance arrangements are made. For RAs that sustain persons for only 48
hours, the ERP must describe how persons who cannot be rescued within
48 hours will receive additional supplies to sustain them until
rescued. The ERP also must specify that the RA is stocked with RA and
component manuals, materials and tools sufficient to make repairs on
the unit, and first aid supplies.
Under 30 CFR 75.1507, underground coal mine operators must develop
and implement ERPs that provide detailed information about the RAs used
in the mine. An ERP must include the following information for each RA
as listed in 30 CFR 75.1507(a): the type of RA used in the mine,
procedures to maintain the RA and components, the capacity of the RA,
the duration of breathable air in each RA, the method for providing
breathable air, sanitation, removing harmful gas, methods for
monitoring gas, and lighting.
3. Training Certification To Maintain and Repair RAs
The RAs are vital to miner safety. Any maintenance, examination, or
repair must be completed by someone who is qualified to do so.
Under 30 CFR 75.1508(a), the mine operator must certify that
persons assigned to examine, maintain, and repair RAs and components
are trained for those tasks. This information collection concerns
training certification requirements for persons assigned to maintain
and repair RAs. Under 30 CFR 75.1508(c), training certifications must
be kept at the mine for one year. (The training certification related
to the examination of RAs and components is integrated into a currently
approved information collection under OMB Control Number 1219-0009,
Training Plans and Records of Training, for Underground Miners and
Miners Working at Surface Mines and Surface Areas of Underground Mines,
which governs training for certified persons to conduct preshift
examinations of the mine under 30 CFR 75.360.)
4. Records of Repair and Corrective Actions
Any maintenance or repair performed for RAs and their components
must be documented. Under 30 CFR 75.1508(b), a record must be made
regarding any maintenance and repair performed and all corrective
action taken on RAs and components. Under 30 CFR 75.1508(c), repair
records shall be kept at the mine for one year.
II. Desired Focus of Comments
MSHA is soliciting comments concerning the proposed information
collection related to Refuge Alternatives 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 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="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 CONTACT section of this notice.
III. Current Actions
This information collection request concerns provisions for Refuge
Alternatives 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: 1219-0146.
Affected Public: Business or other for-profit.
Number of Annual Respondents: 21.
Frequency: On occasion.
Number of Annual Responses: 27.
Annual Time Burden: 73 hours.
Annual Other Burden Costs: $17.
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
[[Page 80940]]
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. 2024-22915 Filed 10-3-24; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4510-43-P
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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.