[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 102 (Thursday, May 28, 2015)]
[Notices]
[Pages 30494-30495]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2015-12840]
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DEPARTMENT OF LABOR
Mine Safety and Health Administration
[OMB Control No. 1219-0146]
Proposed Extension of Information Collection; Refuge Alternatives
for Underground Coal Mines
AGENCY: Mine Safety and Health Administration, Labor.
ACTION: Request for public comments.
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SUMMARY: The Department of Labor, 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
[[Page 30495]]
1995, 44 U.S.C. 3506(c)(2)(A). This program helps to assure 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. Currently, the Mine Safety and
Health Administration (MSHA) is soliciting comments on the information
collection for Refuge Alternatives for Underground Coal Mines.
DATES: All comments must be received on or before July 27, 2015.
ADDRESSES: Comments concerning the information collection requirements
of this notice may be sent by any of the methods listed below.
Federal E-Rulemaking Portal: http://www.regulations.gov.
Follow the on-line instructions for submitting comments for docket
number MSHA-2015-0012.
Regular Mail: Send comments to MSHA, Office of Standards,
Regulations, and Variances, 1100 Wilson Boulevard, Room 2350,
Arlington, VA 22209-3939.
Hand Delivery: USDOL--Mine Safety and Health
Administration, 201 12th Street S., Suite 400, Arlington, VA 22202-
5452. Sign in at the receptionist's desk on the 4th floor via the East
elevator bank.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Sheila McConnell, Acting Director,
Office of Standards, Regulations, and Variances, MSHA, at
[email protected] (email); 202-693-9440 (voice); or
202-693-9441 (facsimile).
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
I. Background
Each underground coal mine has an emergency response plan (ERP) and
refuge alternative(s) (RA) that protect miners when escape from a mine
during a mine emergency is not possible by providing secure spaces with
isolated atmospheres that create life-sustaining environments.
Title 30 CFR 75.1506 requires mine operators to provide refuge
alternatives.
Section 75.1507 requires the development and implementation of
emergency response plans. It requires that the ERP provide detailed
information about the RAs used in the mine. This information assists
miners, supervisors, emergency responders, and MSHA in assuring that
all essential preparations are made and required materials are readily
available and in working order. A mine operator may notify the District
Manager and update the existing ERP if there is a need to locate a RA
in a different location than the one identified in the ERP for that
mine (as required by section 75.1506(c)(2)).
Section 75.1508 requires the mine operator to certify that persons
assigned to examine, maintain, and repair RAs and components are
trained for those tasks. Training certifications assist MSHA in
determining that persons received the required training. The training
certification for persons assigned to examine RAs is integrated into
existing requirements for preshift examinations of the mine under
section 75.360 (OMB 1219-0088). The training certification for persons
assigned to maintain and repair RAs is included in this package under
section 75.1508(a).
Section 75.1508(b) requires a record of any maintenance and repair
performed on a refuge alternative. This record assists MSHA in
identifying design flaws or other weaknesses in the refuge alternative
or its components that could adversely impact the safety of miners.
II. Desired Focus of Comments
MSHA is soliciting comments concerning the proposed information
collection related to Refuge Alternatives for Underground Coal Mines.
MSHA is particularly interested in comments that:
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;
Evaluate the accuracy of MSHA's estimate of the burden of
the collection of information, including the validity of the
methodology and assumptions used;
Suggest methods to enhance the quality, utility, and
clarity of the information to be collected; and
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 MSHA's Web
site and on http://www.regulations.gov. 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 www.regulations.gov and
www.reginfo.gov.
The public may also examine publicly available documents at MSHA,
1100 Wilson Boulevard, Room 2350, Arlington, VA. Sign in at the
receptionist's desk on the 21st floor.
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 request for collection of information contains provisions for
Refuge Alternatives for Underground Coal Mines. MSHA has updated the
data with respect to the number of respondents, responses, burden
hours, and burden costs supporting this information collection request.
Type of Review: Extension, without change, of a currently approved
collection.
Agency: Mine Safety and Health Administration.
OMB Number: 1219-0146.
Affected Public: Business or other for-profit.
Number of Respondents: 16.
Frequency: On occasion.
Number of Responses: 49.
Annual Burden Hours: 219 hours.
Annual Respondent or Recordkeeper Cost: $50.40.
Comments submitted in response to this notice will be summarized
and included in the request for Office of Management and Budget
approval of the information collection request; they will also become a
matter of public record.
Dated: May 21, 2015.
Sheila McConnell,
Certifying Officer.
[FR Doc. 2015-12840 Filed 5-27-15; 8:45 am]
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