Notice2024-25237
Proposed Extension of Information Collection; Records of Preshift and Onshift Inspections of Slope and Shaft Areas at Coal Mines
Primary source
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Published
October 31, 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 Records of Preshift and Onshift Inspections of Slope and Shaft Areas at Coal Mines.
Full Text
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<title>Federal Register, Volume 89 Issue 211 (Thursday, October 31, 2024)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 89, Number 211 (Thursday, October 31, 2024)]
[Notices]
[Pages 86840-86841]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2024-25237]
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DEPARTMENT OF LABOR
Mine Safety and Health Administration
[OMB Control No. 1219-0082]
Proposed Extension of Information Collection; Records of Preshift
and Onshift Inspections of Slope and Shaft Areas at 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 Records of
Preshift and Onshift Inspections of Slope and Shaft Areas at Coal
Mines.
DATES: All comments must be received on or before December 30, 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-2024-0027.
<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.
<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#cf829c878ee1a6a1a9a0bda2aebba6a0a1e1aca0a3a3aaacbba6a0a1bc8faba0a3e1a8a0b9"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="5f120c171e71363139302d323e2b363031713c3033333a3c2b3630312c1f3b303371383029">[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 Records of Preshift and
Onshift Inspections of Slope and Shaft Areas at Coal Mines. The
information collection is intended to assist slope and shaft
supervisors and employees, State mine inspectors, and Federal mine
inspectors in making decisions that will ultimately affect the safety
and health of slope and shaft sinking employees based on the records
that show the examinations and tests that were conducted.
The working environment is typically a confined area in close
proximity to moving equipment. The sinking of slopes and shafts is a
particularly hazardous operation where conditions change drastically in
short periods of time. Explosive methane and other harmful gases can be
expected to infiltrate the work environment at any time. Preshift and
onshift inspections, as well as inspections before and after blasting,
are fundamental to ensuring that no changes have occurred, and that the
working environment is in a condition that is optimal for miner health
and safety.
1. Preshift and Onshift Inspections
Preshift inspections need to be completed close to the beginning of
shifts to ensure that there is little time for conditions to change,
and during shifts to ensure that conditions are stable. Under 30 CFR
77.1901, slope and shaft areas must be examined by a certified person
for hazardous conditions, including tests for methane and oxygen
deficiency, within 90 minutes before each shift, at least once during
each shift when employees are inside any slope or shaft during
development, and before and after blasting. The surface area
surrounding each slope and shaft is also required to be inspected by a
certified person for hazards and all hazards in the vicinity must be
corrected before miners are permitted to enter the excavation.
It is also important to keep records of these conditions and any
corrective actions upon the discovery of hazardous conditions. Under 30
CFR 77.1901(f), operators must keep records of the results of the
inspections. The record includes a description of any hazardous
condition found and the corrective action taken to abate it. The record
is necessary to ensure that the inspections and tests are conducted in
a timely fashion and that corrective action is taken when hazardous
conditions are identified, thereby ensuring a safe working environment
for the slope and shaft sinking employees. The record is maintained at
the mine site for the duration of the operation.
II. Desired Focus of Comments
MSHA is soliciting comments concerning the proposed information
collection related to Records of Preshift and Onshift Inspections of
Slope and Shaft Areas at 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;
[[Page 86841]]
<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.
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 Records
of Preshift and Onshift Inspections of Slope and Shaft Areas at 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: 1219-0082.
Affected Public: Business or other for-profit.
Number of Annual Respondents: 15.
Frequency: On occasion.
Number of Annual Responses: 6,600.
Annual Time Burden: 8,250 hours.
Annual Other Burden Costs: $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. 2024-25237 Filed 10-30-24; 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.