Notice2025-18542
Proposed Extension of Information Collection: Ventilation Plan and Main Fan Maintenance Record
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
September 25, 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 titled "Ventilation Plan and Main Fan Maintenance Record."
Full Text
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<title>Federal Register, Volume 90 Issue 184 (Thursday, September 25, 2025)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 90, Number 184 (Thursday, September 25, 2025)]
[Notices]
[Pages 46264-46266]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2025-18542]
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DEPARTMENT OF LABOR
Mine Safety and Health Administration
[OMB Control No. 1219-0016]
Proposed Extension of Information Collection: Ventilation Plan
and Main Fan Maintenance Record
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 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 titled ``Ventilation Plan and Main Fan Maintenance Record.''
DATES: All comments must be received on or before November 24, 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-2025-0055.
<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: Jessica D. Senk, Acting Director,
Office of Standards, Regulations, and Variances, MSHA, at
<a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#5518061d147b3c3b333a273834213c3a3b7b363a39393036213c3a3b2615313a397b323a23"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="c08d938881eea9aea6afb2ada1b4a9afaeeea3afacaca5a3b4a9afaeb380a4afaceea7afb6">[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 (MNM) mines.
The Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (PRA) governs paperwork burdens
imposed on the public by Federal agencies for using identical questions
to collect information from 10 or more persons. The PRA defines
paperwork burden 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, the PRA also
[[Page 46265]]
establishes policies and procedures of information collection for
controlling paperwork burdens imposed by Federal agencies on the
public, including evaluating public comments.
B. Information Collection
To fulfill its statutory mandate to promote miners' health and
safety, MSHA requires the information collected under the information
collection request (ICR) titled ``Ventilation Plan and Main Fan
Maintenance Record.'' The information collection is intended to ensure
underground MNM mine operators routinely plan, review, and update their
ventilation system and maintain main fans properly to avoid fatalities
and unhealthy working conditions caused by inadequate ventilation.
Underground MNM mines can present harsh and hostile working
environment. The ventilation system is the most vital life support
system in underground mining and a properly operating ventilation
system is essential for maintaining a safe and healthy working
environment. A well planned mine ventilation system is necessary to
ensure fresh air is provided to miners at all working places, to
control the amounts of harmful airborne contaminants in the mine
atmosphere, and to dilute possible accumulation of explosive gases. A
regular fan maintenance schedule is necessary to ensure an
uninterrupted and vital supply of air.
Burden costs associated with this ICR include:
1. Creating new or updating existing mine ventilation plans; and
2. Developing new or revising existing main fan maintenance
schedules.
The associated standards that authorize the collection of
information are described below.
1. Creating New or Updating Existing Mine Ventilation Plans
Under 30 CFR 57.8520, the mine operator must prepare a plan of the
mine ventilation system in written form. Revisions of the system must
be noted and updated annually. The ventilation plan or revisions must
be submitted to the District Manager for review and comments upon his
written request. The plan must, where applicable, include the
following:
(a) The mine name.
(b) The current mine map or schematic or series of mine maps or
schematics of an appropriate scale, not greater than five hundred feet
to the inch, showing:
(1) Direction and quantity of principal air flows;
(2) Locations of seals used to isolate abandoned workings;
(3) Locations of areas withdrawn from the ventilation system;
(4) Locations of all main, booster and auxiliary fans not shown in
paragraph (d) of this standard;
(5) Locations of air regulators and stoppings and ventilation doors
not shown in paragraph (d) of this standard;
(6) Locations of overcasts, undercasts and other airway crossover
devices not shown in paragraph (d) of this standard;
(7) Locations of known oil or gas wells;
(8) Locations of known underground mine openings adjacent to the
mine;
(9) Locations of permanent underground shops, diesel fuel storage
depots, oil fuel storage depots, hoist rooms, compressors, battery
charging stations and explosive storage facilities. Permanent
facilities are those intended to exist for one year or more; and
(10) Significant changes in the ventilation system projected for
one year.
(c) Mine fan data for all active main and booster fans including
manufacturer's name, type, size, fan speed, blade setting, approximate
pressure at present operating point, and motor brake horsepower rating.
(d) Diagrams, descriptions or sketches showing how ventilation is
accomplished in each typical type of working place including the
approximate quantity of air provided, and typical size and type of
auxiliary fans used.
(e) The number and type of internal combustion engine units used
underground, including make and model of unit, type of engine, make and
model of engine, brake horsepower rating of engine, and approval
number.
2. Developing New or Revising Existing Main Fan Maintenance Schedules
Under 30 CFR 57.8525, the main fans in underground MNM mines must
be maintained according to either the manufacturer's recommendations or
a written periodic schedule adopted by the operator which must be
available at the operation upon the request of the Secretary or the
Secretary's authorized representative.
II. Desired Focus of Comments
MSHA is soliciting comments concerning the proposed information
collection titled ``Ventilation Plan and Main Fan Maintenance Record.''
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 information collection, 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 information collection 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 ICR is available on <a href="https://www.regulations.gov">https://www.regulations.gov</a>. MSHA cautions
commenters 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 202-693-9440 to make an appointment.
Questions about the information collection requirements may be
directed to the person listed in the FOR FURTHER INFORMATION section of
this notice.
III. Current Actions
This ICR concerns provisions for Ventilation Plan and Main Fan
Maintenance Record. MSHA has updated the data with respect to the
number of respondents, responses, time burden, and burden costs
supporting this ICR from the previous ICR.
Type of Review: Extension, without change, of a currently approved
collection.
Agency: Mine Safety and Health Administration.
OMB Number: 1219-0016.
Affected Public: Business or other for-profit entity.
Number of Annual Respondents: 186.
Frequency: On occasion.
Number of Annual Responses: 195.
Annual Time Burden: 4,496 hours.
Respondent or Recordkeeper: $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 ICR; they will become a matter
[[Page 46266]]
of public record and be available at <a href="https://www.reginfo.gov">https://www.reginfo.gov</a>.
Jessica D. Senk,
Certifying Officer, Mine Safety and Health Administration.
[FR Doc. 2025-18542 Filed 9-24-25; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4510-43-P
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</html>Indexed from Federal Register on September 25, 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.