Notice2025-09594
Proposed Extension of Information Collection: Underground Coal Mine Fire Protection
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
May 29, 2025
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 for all information collections, to provide the 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 Underground Coal Mine Fire Protection.
Full Text
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<title>Federal Register, Volume 90 Issue 102 (Thursday, May 29, 2025)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 90, Number 102 (Thursday, May 29, 2025)]
[Notices]
[Pages 22758-22760]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2025-09594]
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DEPARTMENT OF LABOR
Mine Safety and Health Administration
[OMB Control No. 1219-0054]
Proposed Extension of Information Collection: Underground Coal
Mine Fire Protection
AGENCY: Mine Safety and Health Administration, Labor.
[[Page 22759]]
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 for all information collections, to
provide the 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 Underground Coal Mine Fire Protection.
DATES: All comments must be received on or before July 28, 2025.
ADDRESSES: Comments concerning the information collection requirements
of this notice may be sent by any of the methods listed below. Please
note that 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-2025-0015.
<bullet> Mail/Hand Delivery: DOL-MSHA, Office of Standards,
Regulations, and Variances, 200 Constitution Avenue NW, Room C3522,
Washington, DC 20210. 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 MSHA.information
.<a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#89eae6e5e5eceafde0e6e7fac9ede6e5a7eee6ff"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="aac9c5c6c6cfc9dec3c5c4d9eacec5c684cdc5dc">[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 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.
The Paperwork Reduction Act governs paperwork burdens imposed by
Federal agencies on the public for using identical questions to collect
information from 10 or more persons. Paperwork burden is defined in 44
U.S.C. 3502(2) as time, effort, or financial resources expended to
generate, maintain, or provide information to or for a Federal agency.
Under 44 U.S.C. 3507, policies and procedures of information collection
are established to control paperwork burdens imposed by Federal
agencies on the public, including evaluating public comments.
B. Information Collection
To fulfill the statutory mandate of promoting miners' health and
safety, MSHA requires information under the information collection
request (ICR) titled ``Underground Coal Mine Fire Protection.'' The
information collection is intended for MSHA to ensure mine operators
keep proper records for the examination and testing of firefighting
equipment, automatic fire sensor and warning device systems, fire
hydrants and fire hoses, and fire suppression devices. It is also
intended to ensure that mine operators certify the emergency response
training for the designated responsible persons and maintain mine
emergency evacuation and firefighting programs of instruction.
Burden and costs associated with this ICR include:
1. examining chemical extinguishers and recording dates;
2. updating maps or schematic with locations of sensors of
automatic fire warning devices;
3. functional testing the warning signals and calibrating sensors
in automatic fire sensor and warning device systems;
4. testing each fire hydrant and fire hose;
5. certifying mine emergency evacuation response training; and
6. submitting mine emergency evacuation and firefighting program of
instruction for MSHA approval.
Below are described the relevant safety and information collection
requirements.
1. Examining Chemical Extinguishers and Recording
Under 30 CFR 75.1100-3, all firefighting equipment must be
maintained in a usable and operative condition. Chemical extinguishers
must be examined every 6 months and the date of the examination must be
written on a permanent tag attached to the extinguisher.
2. Updating Maps or Schematic With Locations of Sensors of Automatic
Fire Warning Devices
Under 30 CFR 75.1103-5(a), when the carbon monoxide level reaches
10 parts per million above the established ambient level at any sensor
location, automatic fire sensor and warning device systems must provide
an effective warning signal at the following locations: (1) At working
sections and other work locations where miners may be endangered from a
fire in the belt entry; and (2) At a manned surface location where
personnel have an assigned post of duty.
Under 30 CFR 75.1103-5(a)(2)(ii), the manned surface location must
have a map or schematic that shows the locations of sensors and the
intended air flow direction at the sensor locations. This map or
schematic must be updated within 24 hours of any change in the content.
3. Functional Testing the Warning Signals and Calibrating Sensors in
Automatic Fire Sensor and Warning Device Systems
Under 30 CFR 75.1103-8(a), automatic fire sensor and warning device
systems must be examined at least once each shift, when belts are
operated as part of a production shift. A functional test of the
warning signals must be made at least once every seven days.
Examination and maintenance of the systems must be done by a qualified
person.
Under 30 CFR 75.1103-8(b), a record of the functional test must be
maintained by the operator and kept for a period of one year.
Under 30 CFR 75.1103-8(c), sensors must be calibrated in accordance
with the manufacturer's calibration instructions at intervals not to
exceed 31 days. A record of the sensor calibrations must be maintained
by the operator and kept for a period of one year.
4. Testing Fire Hydrants and Fire Hoses
Under 30 CFR 75.1103-11, each fire hydrant must be tested by
opening to ensure that it is in operating condition, and each fire hose
must be tested, at intervals not exceeding 1 year. A record
[[Page 22760]]
of these tests must be maintained at an appropriate location.
5. Certifying Mine Emergency Response Training
Under 30 CFR 75.1501(a), for each shift that miners work
underground, there must be in attendance a responsible person
designated by the mine operator to take charge during mine emergencies
involving a fire, explosion, or gas or water inundation.
Under 30 CFR 75.1501(a)(2), the responsible person must be trained
annually in a course of instruction in mine emergency response, as
prescribed by MSHA's Office of Educational Policy and Development.
Further, under 75.1051(a)(3), the operator must certify by signature
and date after each responsible person has completed the training and
keep the certification at the mine for 1 year.
6. Submitting Mine Emergency Evacuation and Firefighting Program of
Instruction for MSHA Approval
Under 30 CFR 75.1502, each operator of an underground coal mine
must adopt and follow a mine emergency evacuation and firefighting
program that instructs all miners in the proper procedures they must
follow if a mine emergency occurs.
Under 30 CFR 75.1502(a), the operator must submit the program of
instruction, and any revisions, for approval to the District Manager in
which the mine is located. Within 30 days of approval, the operator
must conduct training in accordance with the revised program.
Additionally, under 30 CFR 75.1502(b), before implementing any new
or revised approved provision in the program of instruction, the
operator must instruct miners regarding the change.
II. Desired Focus of Comments
MSHA is soliciting comments concerning the proposed information
collection titled ``Underground Coal Mine Fire Protection''. 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, 200 Constitution
Avenue NW, Room C3522, Washington, DC 20210. 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
Underground Coal Mine Fire Protection. 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: 1219-0054.
Affected Public: Business or other for-profit.
Number of Annual Respondents: 148.
Frequency: On occasion.
Number of Annual Responses: 143,039.
Annual Time Burden: 15,878 hours.
Annual Other Burden Costs: $63.
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. 2025-09594 Filed 5-28-25; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4510-43-P
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</html>Indexed from Federal Register on May 29, 2025.
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.