[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 225 (Friday, November 24, 2017)] [Notices] [Pages 55879-55880] From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] [FR Doc No: 2017-25426] ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF LABOR Mine Safety and Health Administration [OMB Control No. 1219-0148] Proposed Extension of Information Collection; Proximity Detection Systems for Continuous Mining Machines in Underground Coal Mines AGENCY: Mine Safety and Health Administration, Labor. ACTION: Request for public comments. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- 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 1995. 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 Proximity Detection Systems for Continuous Mining Machines in Underground Coal Mines. DATES: All comments must be received on or before January 23, 2018. 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-2017-0033. Regular Mail: Send comments to USDOL-MSHA, Office of Standards, Regulations, and Variances, 201 12th Street South, Suite 4E401, Arlington, VA 22202-5452. Hand Delivery: USDOL-Mine Safety and Health Administration, 201 12th Street South, Suite 4E401, Arlington, VA 22202-5452. Sign in at the receptionist's desk on the 4th floor via the East elevator. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Sheila McConnell, 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 Section 103(h) of the Federal Mine Safety and Health Act of 1977 (Mine Act), 30 U.S.C. Section 813(h), authorizes MSHA to collect information necessary to carry out its duties in protecting the safety and health of miners. Further, section 101(a) of the Mine Act, 30 U.S.C. 811, 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 or other mines. On January 15, 2015, MSHA published a final rule that requires underground coal mine operators to equip continuous mining machines, except full-face continuous mining machines, with proximity detection systems (80 FR 2188). Miners working near continuous mining machines face pinning, crushing, and striking hazards that result in accidents involving life-threatening injuries and death. Proximity detection is a technology that uses electronic sensors to detect the motion or the location of one object relative to another. Proximity detection systems provide a warning and stop mining machines before a pinning, crushing, or striking accident occurs that could result in injury or death to a miner. The information collections contained in this final rule were approved under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (PRA). Title 30 CFR 75.1732(d)(1) requires at the completion of the check of the machine-mounted components of the proximity detection system under section 75.1732(c)(1), a certified person under section 75.100 must certify by initials, date, and time that the check was conducted. Defects found as a result of the check, including corrective actions and dates of corrective actions, must be recorded. Section 75.1732(d)(2) requires the operator to make a record of the defects found as a result of the checks of miner-wearable components required under section 75.1732(c)(2), including corrective actions and dates of corrective actions. Section 75.1732(d)(3) requires the operator to make a record of the persons trained in the installation and maintenance of proximity detection systems under section 75.1732(b)(6). [[Page 55880]] Section 75.1732(d)(4) requires the records to be maintained in a secure book or electronically in a secure computer system not susceptible to alteration. Section 75.1732(d)(5) requires records to be retained for a period of at least one year and that they be made available for inspection by authorized representatives of the Secretary and representatives of miners. II. Desired Focus of Comments MSHA is soliciting comments concerning the proposed information collection related to Proximity Detection Systems for Continuous Mining Machines in 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 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 USDOL- Mine Safety and Health Administration, 201 12th South, Suite 4E401, Arlington, VA 22202-5452. Sign in at the receptionist's desk on the 4th floor via the East elevator. 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 Proximity Detection Systems for Continuous Mining Machines in 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: 1219-0148. Affected Public: Business or other for-profit. Number of Respondents: 209. Frequency: On occasion. Number of Responses: 291,137. Annual Burden Hours: 828 hours. Annual Respondent or Recordkeeper Cost: $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 information collection request; they will also become a matter of public record. Sheila McConnell, Certifying Officer. [FR Doc. 2017-25426 Filed 11-22-17; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4510-43-P