82 FR 17694 - Proposed Extension of Information Collection; Rock Burst Control Plan

DEPARTMENT OF LABOR
Mine Safety and Health Administration

Federal Register Volume 82, Issue 69 (April 12, 2017)

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 the Rock Burst Control Plan.

[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 69 (Wednesday, April 12, 2017)]
[Notices]
[Pages 17694-17695]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2017-07293]


=======================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Mine Safety and Health Administration

[OMB Control No. 1219-0097]


Proposed Extension of Information Collection; Rock Burst Control 
Plan

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 the Rock Burst 
Control Plan.

DATES: All comments must be received on or before June 12, 2017.

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-2017-0009.
     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,

[[Page 17695]]

MSHA, at [email protected] (email); 202-693-9440 
(voice); or 202-693-9441 (facsimile).

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Background

    Section 101(a), 30 U.S.C. 811(a), allows MSHA to promulgate 
standards that would require operators to make and retain records from 
which MSHA would then be allowed to collect information. Section 
103(h), 30 U.S.C. 813(h), of the Federal Mine Safety and Health Act of 
1977 (Mine Act), 30 U.S.C. 801 et seq., authorizes MSHA to collect 
information necessary to carry out its duty in protecting the safety 
and health of miners.
    Title 30 CFR 57.3461 requires operators of underground metal and 
nonmetal mines to develop and implement a rock burst control plan 
within 90 days after a rock burst has been experienced. Plans are 
required to include: Mining and operating procedures designed to reduce 
the occurrence of rock bursts; monitoring procedures where detection 
methods are used; and other measures to minimize exposure of persons to 
areas prone to rock bursts. Plans are also required to be updated as 
conditions warrant and are to be made available to MSHA inspectors and 
to miners or their representatives. The standard does not require that 
all underground metal and nonmetal mines develop these preventative 
measures, but it does require that all mines with a rock burst history 
develop and implement a rock burst control plan.
    When rock bursts occur in an underground mine, they pose a serious 
threat to the safety of miners in the area affected by the burst. These 
bursts may reasonably be expected to result in the entrapment of 
miners, death, and serious physical harm. Recent mining technology has 
disclosed scientific methods of monitoring rock stresses which will 
allow for the prediction of an oncoming burst. These predictions can be 
used by the mine operator to move miners to safer locations and to 
establish areas which need relief drilling.

II. Desired Focus of Comments

    MSHA is soliciting comments concerning the proposed information 
collection related to the Rock Burst Control Plan. 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 
the Rock Burst Control Plan. 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: 1219-0097.
    Affected Public: Business or other for-profit.
    Number of Respondents: 1.
    Frequency: On occasion.
    Number of Responses: 1.
    Annual Burden Hours: 12 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. 2017-07293 Filed 4-11-17; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4510-43-P