Notice2024-28164
Proposed Extension of Information Collection; Explosive Materials and Blasting Units (Pertains Only to Category III Metal and Nonmetal Mines Deemed To Be Gassy)
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
December 2, 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 Explosive Materials and Blasting Units (Pertains only to Category III Metal and Nonmetal Mines Deemed to be Gassy).
Full Text
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<title>Federal Register, Volume 89 Issue 231 (Monday, December 2, 2024)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 89, Number 231 (Monday, December 2, 2024)]
[Notices]
[Pages 95244-95245]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2024-28164]
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DEPARTMENT OF LABOR
Mine Safety and Health Administration
[OMB Control No. 1219-0095]
Proposed Extension of Information Collection; Explosive Materials
and Blasting Units (Pertains Only to Category III Metal and Nonmetal
Mines Deemed To Be Gassy)
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 Explosive
Materials and Blasting Units (Pertains only to Category III Metal and
Nonmetal Mines Deemed to be Gassy).
DATES: All comments must be received on or before January 31, 2025.
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-2024-0034.
<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#1e534d565f30777078716c737f6a777170307d7172727b7d6a7771706d5e7a717230797168"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="7f322c373e51161119100d121e0b161011511c1013131a1c0b1610110c3f1b101351181009">[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 Explosive Materials and
Blasting Units (Pertains only to Category III Metal and Nonmetal Mines
Deemed to be Gassy). The information collection is intended to
determine whether nonapproved explosive materials and blasting units
and procedures are safe for use in Category III mines.
All mines must use approved blasting units and explosives to ensure
miner health and safety. If mine operators choose to use unapproved
blasting units and explosives, they must obtain approval from MSHA
before doing so. Under title 30 of the Code of Federal Regulations (30
CFR) 57.22003(a) and (a)(3), mine category III applies to all
underground metal and nonmetal mines and the surface mills of
Subcategory I-C mines (gilsonite) in which noncombustible ore is
extracted and which liberate a concentration of methane that is
explosive, or is capable of forming explosive mixtures with air, or
have the potential to do so based on the history of the mine or the
geological area in which the mine is located. The concentration of
methane in such mines is explosive or is capable of forming explosive
mixtures if mixed with air at certain composition.
1. Notifying MSHA Prior to Using Nonapproved Explosive Materials and
Blasting Units
Under 30 CFR 7.4 and 15, MSHA tests and approves blasting units and
explosive materials as permissible for use in mines, respectively.
Under 30 CFR 57.22606(a), mine operators of Category III metal and
nonmetal mines must notify the appropriate MSHA District Manager of all
nonapproved explosive materials and blasting units prior to their use.
Explosive materials used for blasting must be approved by MSHA under 30
CFR part 15, or nonapproved explosive materials must be evaluated and
determined by the District Manager to be safe for blasting in a
potentially gassy environment. The notice must also include the
millisecond-delay interval between successive shots and between the
first and last shot in a round.
II. Desired Focus of Comments
MSHA is soliciting comments concerning the proposed information
collection entitled Explosive Materials and Blasting Units (Pertains
only to Category III Metal and Nonmetal Mines Deemed to be Gassy). 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,
[[Page 95245]]
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
Explosive Materials and Blasting Units (Pertains only to Category III
Metal and Nonmetal Mines Deemed to be Gassy). 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: 1219-0095.
Affected Public: Business or other for-profit.
Number of Annual Respondents: 1.
Frequency: On occasion.
Number of Annual Responses: 1.
Annual Time Burden: 1 hours.
Annual Other Burden Costs: $6.
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. 2024-28164 Filed 11-29-24; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4510-43-P
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</html>Indexed from Federal Register on December 2, 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.