Notice2024-30942
Proposed Extension of Information Collection; Main Fan Operation and Inspection (I-A, II-A, III, and V-A 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
December 27, 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 Main Fan Operation and Inspection (I-A, II-A, III, and V-A Mines).
Full Text
<html>
<head>
<title>Federal Register, Volume 89 Issue 248 (Friday, December 27, 2024)</title>
</head>
<body><pre>
[Federal Register Volume 89, Number 248 (Friday, December 27, 2024)]
[Notices]
[Pages 105632-105633]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2024-30942]
[[Page 105632]]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF LABOR
Mine Safety and Health Administration
[OMB Control No. 1219-0030]
Proposed Extension of Information Collection; Main Fan Operation
and Inspection (I-A, II-A, III, and V-A 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 entitled Main Fan
Operation and Inspection (I-A, II-A, III, and V-A Mines).
DATES: All comments must be received on or before February 25, 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-2024-0068.
<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#ffb2acb7bed1969199908d929e8b969091d19c9093939a9c8b9690918cbf9b9093d1989089"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="ffb2acb7bed1969199908d929e8b969091d19c9093939a9c8b9690918cbf9b9093d1989089">[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. 30 U.S.C.
813(h). 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 request titled ``Main Fan Operation and Inspection (I-
A, II-A, III, and V-A Mines).'' The information collection is intended
to ensure that mine ventilation is constantly monitored and that unsafe
conditions are identified early and corrected.
1. Daily Main Fan Inspection and Certification (I-A, II-A, III, and V-A
Mines)
Maintaining proper ventilation is critical to providing miners with
a safe working environment. Potentially dangerous conditions in
underground mines due to explosive gases are largely controlled by the
main fans. When accumulations of explosive gases, such as methane, are
not quickly removed from the mine by the main fans, they may reasonably
be expected to come in contact with an ignition source and cause
explosions. The results of such explosions are often severe and have
previously included incidents with multiple fatalities.
Under 30 CFR 57.22204, which applies to underground metal and
nonmetal mines that are categorized as I-A, II-A, III or V-A mines, the
main fans must have a pressure-recording system. This standard also
requires main fans to be inspected daily while operating if persons are
underground, and certification of inspections must be made by signature
and date. Certifications and pressure recordings must be retained for
at least one year and made available to an authorized representative of
the Secretary.
II. Desired Focus of Comments
MSHA is soliciting comments concerning the proposed information
collection titled ``Main Fan Operation and Inspection (I-A, II-A, III,
and V-A 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.
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 Main
Fan Operation and Inspection (I-A, II-A, III, and V-A 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.
[[Page 105633]]
OMB Number: 1219-0030.
Affected Public: Business or other for-profit.
Number of Annual Respondents: 6.
Frequency: On occasion.
Number of Annual Responses: 3,960.
Annual Time Burden: 2,112 hours.
Annual Other Burden Costs $6,000.
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. 2024-30942 Filed 12-26-24; 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 December 27, 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.