80 FR 72028 - Refuge Alternatives for Underground Coal Mines

DEPARTMENT OF LABOR
Mine Safety and Health Administration

Federal Register Volume 80, Issue 222 (November 18, 2015)

In response to requests from interested parties, the Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) is extending the comment period on the Request for Information on Refuge Alternatives for Underground Coal Mines. This extension gives stakeholders additional time to provide input on the current state of refuges in use and recent research and new technology that may lead to the development of a new generation of refuges.

[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 222 (Wednesday, November 18, 2015)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Page 72028]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2015-29433]


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DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Mine Safety and Health Administration

30 CFR Parts 7 and 75

[Docket No. MSHA-2013-0033]
RIN 1219-AB79


Refuge Alternatives for Underground Coal Mines

AGENCY: Mine Safety and Health Administration, Labor.

ACTION: Request for Information; extension of comment period.

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SUMMARY: In response to requests from interested parties, the Mine 
Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) is extending the comment period 
on the Request for Information on Refuge Alternatives for Underground 
Coal Mines. This extension gives stakeholders additional time to 
provide input on the current state of refuges in use and recent 
research and new technology that may lead to the development of a new 
generation of refuges.

DATES: Comments must be received or postmarked by midnight Eastern 
Standard Time on January 15, 2016.

ADDRESSES: Submit comments and informational materials, identified by 
RIN 1219-AB79 or Docket No. MSHA-2013-0033, by one of the following 
methods:
     Federal E-Rulemaking Portal: http://www.regulations.gov. 
Follow the on-line instructions for submitting comments.
     E-Mail: [email protected]. Include RIN 1219-AB79 or 
Docket No. MSHA-2014-0033 in the subject line of the message.
     Mail: MSHA, Office of Standards, Regulations, and 
Variances, 201 12th Street South, Suite 4E401, Arlington, Virginia 
22202-5452.
     Fax: 202-693-9441.
     Hand Delivery or Courier: MSHA, 201 12th Street South, 
Suite 4E401, Arlington, Virginia, between 9:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. 
Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. Sign in at the 
receptionist's desk on the 4th floor.
    Instructions: All submissions must include RIN 1219-AB79 or Docket 
No. MSHA-2013-0033. Do not include personal information that you do not 
want publicly disclosed; MSHA will post all comments without change to 
http://www.regulations.gov and http://www.msha.gov/currentcomments.asp, 
including any personal information provided.
    Docket: For access to the docket to read comments received, go to 
http://www.regulations.gov or http://www.msha.gov/currentcomments.asp. 
To read background documents, go to http://www.regulations.gov. Review 
the docket in person at MSHA, Office of Standards, Regulations, and 
Variances, 201 12th Street South, Suite 4E401, Arlington, Virginia 
22202-5452, between 9:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday, 
except Federal Holidays. Sign in at the receptionist's desk on the 4th 
floor.
    E-Mail Notification: To subscribe to receive an email notification 
when MSHA publishes rules in the Federal Register, and program 
information, instructions, and policy, go to http://www.msha.gov/subscriptions/subscribe.aspx.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Sheila A. 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: On October 19, 2015, MSHA held a public 
meeting to gather information on issues and options relevant to coal 
miners' escape and refuge. The meeting was announced in the Federal 
Register on September 18, 2015 (80 FR 56416). Coal mine operators, coal 
miners, equipment manufacturers, academia, and the public were invited 
to provide information on the current state of refuge alternatives in 
underground coal mines, particularly on the challenges related to the 
use of built-in-place refuges and enhancing voice communication when 
using escape breathing devices. In response to stakeholders, MSHA is 
providing additional time for interested parties to comment. MSHA is 
extending the comment period from November 16, 2015, to January 15, 
2016.

Joseph A. Main,
Assistant Secretary of Labor for Mine Safety and Health.
[FR Doc. 2015-29433 Filed 11-16-15; 11:15 am]
 BILLING CODE 4510-43-P