83 FR 23943 - Proposed Extension of Information Collection; Notification of Methane Detected in Underground Metal and Nonmetal Mine Atmospheres

DEPARTMENT OF LABOR
Mine Safety and Health Administration

Federal Register Volume 83, Issue 100 (May 23, 2018)

Page Range		23943-23944
FR Document		2018-11038

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 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. Currently, the Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) is soliciting comments on the information collection for Notification of Methane Detected in Underground Metal and Nonmetal Mine Atmospheres.

Federal Register, Volume 83 Issue 100 (Wednesday, May 23, 2018)

[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 100 (Wednesday, May 23, 2018)]
[Notices]
[Pages 23943-23944]
From the Federal Register Online [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2018-11038]

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DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Mine Safety and Health Administration

[OMB Control No. 1219-0103]

Proposed Extension of Information Collection; Notification of
Methane Detected in Underground Metal and Nonmetal Mine Atmospheres

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 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.
Currently, the Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) is
soliciting comments on the information collection for Notification of
Methane Detected in Underground Metal and Nonmetal Mine Atmospheres.

DATES: All comments must be received on or before July 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-2018-0005.
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
MSHA.information.collections@dol.gov (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. 813(h), authorizes 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,
authorizes the Secretary of Labor (Secretary) to develop, promulgate,
and revise as may be appropriate, improved mandatory health or safety
standards for

[[Page 23944]]

the protection of life and prevention of injuries in coal or other
mines.
Methane is a flammable gas found in underground mines in the United
States. Although methane is often associated with underground coal
mines, it also occurs in some metal and nonmetal mines. Underground
metal and nonmetal mines are categorized according to the potential to
liberate methane (30 CFR 57.22003--Mine category or subcategory).
Methane is a colorless, odorless, tasteless gas, and it tends to rise
to the roof of a mine because it is lighter than air. Although methane
itself is nontoxic, its presence reduces the oxygen content by dilution
when mixed with air and, consequently, can act as an asphyxiant when
present in large quantities.
Methane may enter the mining environment from a variety of sources
including fractures, faults, or shear zones overlying or underlying the
strata that surround the ore body, or from the ore body itself. It may
occur as an occluded gas within the ore body. Methane mixed with air is
explosive in the range of 5 to 15 percent, provided that 12 percent or
more oxygen is present. The presence of dust containing volatile matter
in the mine atmosphere may further enhance the explosion potential of
methane in a mine. Section 103(i) of Mine Act requires additional
inspections be conducted at mines depending on the amount of methane
liberated from a mine.
Title 30 CFR 57.22004(c) requires operators of underground metal
and nonmetal mines to notify MSHA as soon as possible if any of the
following events occur: (a) There is an outburst that results in 0.25
percent or more methane in the mine atmosphere, (b) there is a blowout
that results in 0.25 percent or more methane in the mine atmosphere,
(c) there is an ignition of methane, or (d) air sample results indicate
0.25 percent or more methane in the mine atmosphere of a I-B, I-C, II-
B, V-B, or Category VI mine. Under sections 57.22239 and 57.22231, if
methane reaches 2.0 percent in a Category IV mine or if methane reaches
0.25 percent in the mine atmosphere of a Subcategory I-B, II-B, V-B, or
VI mine, MSHA shall be notified immediately. Although the standards do
not specify how MSHA is to be notified, MSHA anticipates that the
notifications would be made by telephone.
Title 30 CFR 57.22229 and 57.22230 require that the mine atmosphere
be tested for methane and/or carbon dioxide at least once every seven
days by a competent person or atmospheric monitoring system or a
combination of both. Section 57.2229 applies to underground metal and
nonmetal mines categorized as I-A, III, and V-A mines where the
atmosphere is tested for both methane and carbon dioxide. Section
57.22230 applies to underground metal and nonmetal mines categorized as
II-A mines where the atmosphere is tested for methane. Where
examinations disclose hazardous conditions, affected miners must be
informed. Title 30 CFR 57.22229(d) and 57.22230(c) require that the
person performing the tests certify by signature and date that the
tests have been conducted. Certifications of examinations shall be kept
for at least one year and made available to authorized representatives
of the Secretary of Labor.

II. Desired Focus of Comments

MSHA is soliciting comments concerning the proposed information
collection related to Notification of Methane Detected in Underground
Metal and Nonmetal Mine Atmospheres. 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 section of
this notice.

III. Current Actions

This request for collection of information contains provisions for
Notification of Methane Detected in Underground Metal and Nonmetal Mine
Atmospheres. 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: 1219-0103.
Affected Public: Business or other for-profit.
Number of Respondents: 4.
Frequency: On occasion.
Number of Responses: 213.
Annual Burden Hours: 19 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. 2018-11038 Filed 5-22-18; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4510-43-P

23944 Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 100 / Wednesday, May 23, 2018 / Notices

the protection of life and prevention of underground metal and nonmetal mines III. Current Actions
injuries in coal or other mines. categorized as I–A, III, and V–A mines This request for collection of
Methane is a flammable gas found in where the atmosphere is tested for both information contains provisions for
underground mines in the United methane and carbon dioxide. Section Notification of Methane Detected in
States. Although methane is often 57.22230 applies to underground metal Underground Metal and Nonmetal Mine
associated with underground coal and nonmetal mines categorized as II– Atmospheres. MSHA has updated the
mines, it also occurs in some metal and A mines where the atmosphere is tested data with respect to the number of
nonmetal mines. Underground metal for methane. Where examinations respondents, responses, burden hours,
and nonmetal mines are categorized disclose hazardous conditions, affected and burden costs supporting this
according to the potential to liberate miners must be informed. Title 30 CFR information collection request.
methane (30 CFR 57.22003—Mine 57.22229(d) and 57.22230(c) require that Type of Review: Extension, without
category or subcategory). Methane is a the person performing the tests certify change, of a currently approved
colorless, odorless, tasteless gas, and it by signature and date that the tests have collection.
tends to rise to the roof of a mine been conducted. Certifications of Agency: Mine Safety and Health
because it is lighter than air. Although examinations shall be kept for at least Administration.
methane itself is nontoxic, its presence one year and made available to OMB Number: 1219–0103.
reduces the oxygen content by dilution authorized representatives of the Affected Public: Business or other for-
when mixed with air and, consequently, Secretary of Labor. profit.
can act as an asphyxiant when present
II. Desired Focus of Comments Number of Respondents: 4.
in large quantities. Frequency: On occasion.
Methane may enter the mining MSHA is soliciting comments Number of Responses: 213.
environment from a variety of sources concerning the proposed information Annual Burden Hours: 19 hours.
including fractures, faults, or shear collection related to Notification of Annual Respondent or Recordkeeper
zones overlying or underlying the strata Methane Detected in Underground Cost: $0.
that surround the ore body, or from the Metal and Nonmetal Mine Atmospheres. Comments submitted in response to
ore body itself. It may occur as an MSHA is particularly interested in this notice will be summarized and
occluded gas within the ore body. comments that: included in the request for Office of
Methane mixed with air is explosive in • Evaluate whether the collection of Management and Budget approval of the
the range of 5 to 15 percent, provided information is necessary for the proper information collection request; they will
that 12 percent or more oxygen is performance of the functions of the also become a matter of public record.
present. The presence of dust containing agency, including whether the
volatile matter in the mine atmosphere information has practical utility; Sheila McConnell,
may further enhance the explosion • Evaluate the accuracy of MSHA’s Certifying Officer.
potential of methane in a mine. Section estimate of the burden of the collection [FR Doc. 2018–11038 Filed 5–22–18; 8:45 am]
103(i) of Mine Act requires additional of information, including the validity of BILLING CODE 4510–43–P
inspections be conducted at mines the methodology and assumptions used;
depending on the amount of methane • Suggest methods to enhance the
liberated from a mine. quality, utility, and clarity of the DEPARTMENT OF LABOR
Title 30 CFR 57.22004(c) requires information to be collected; and
operators of underground metal and • Minimize the burden of the Mine Safety and Health Administration
nonmetal mines to notify MSHA as soon collection of information on those who
[OMB Control No. 1219–0119]
as possible if any of the following events are to respond, including through the
occur: (a) There is an outburst that use of appropriate automated, Proposed Extension of Information
results in 0.25 percent or more methane electronic, mechanical, or other Collection; [Diesel-Powered Equipment
in the mine atmosphere, (b) there is a technological collection techniques or in Underground Coal Mines
blowout that results in 0.25 percent or other forms of information technology,
more methane in the mine atmosphere, e.g., permitting electronic submission of AGENCY: Mine Safety and Health
(c) there is an ignition of methane, or (d) responses. Administration, Labor.
air sample results indicate 0.25 percent The information collection request ACTION: Request for public comments.
or more methane in the mine will be available on http://
atmosphere of a I–B, I–C, II–B, V–B, or www.regulations.gov. MSHA cautions SUMMARY: The Department of Labor, as
Category VI mine. Under sections the commenter against providing any part of its continuing effort to reduce
57.22239 and 57.22231, if methane information in the submission that paperwork and respondent burden,
reaches 2.0 percent in a Category IV should not be publicly disclosed. Full conducts a pre-clearance consultation
mine or if methane reaches 0.25 percent comments, including personal program to provide the general public
in the mine atmosphere of a information provided, will be made and Federal agencies with an
Subcategory I–B, II–B, V–B, or VI mine, available on www.regulations.gov and opportunity to comment on proposed
MSHA shall be notified immediately. www.reginfo.gov. collections of information in accordance
Although the standards do not specify The public may also examine publicly with the Paperwork Reduction Act of
how MSHA is to be notified, MSHA available documents at USDOL-Mine 1995. This program helps to ensure that
anticipates that the notifications would Safety and Health Administration, 201 requested data can be provided in the
be made by telephone. 12th South, Suite 4E401, Arlington, VA desired format, reporting burden (time
daltland on DSKBBV9HB2PROD with NOTICES

Title 30 CFR 57.22229 and 57.22230 22202–5452. Sign in at the receptionist’s and financial resources) is minimized,
require that the mine atmosphere be desk on the 4th floor via the East collection instruments are clearly
tested for methane and/or carbon elevator. understood, and the impact of collection
dioxide at least once every seven days Questions about the information requirements on respondents can be
by a competent person or atmospheric collection requirements may be directed properly assessed. Currently, the Mine
monitoring system or a combination of to the person listed in the FOR FURTHER Safety and Health Administration
both. Section 57.2229 applies to INFORMATION section of this notice. (MSHA) is soliciting comments on the

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Document Created: 2018-05-22 23:48:46
Document Modified: 2018-05-22 23:48:46

Category		Regulatory Information
Collection		Federal Register
sudoc Class		AE 2.7: GS 4.107: AE 2.106:
Publisher		Office of the Federal Register, National Archives and Records Administration
Section		Notices
Action		Request for public comments.
Dates		All comments must be received on or before July 23, 2018.
Contact		Sheila McConnell, Director, Office of Standards, Regulations, and Variances, MSHA, at [email protected] (email); (202) 693-9440 (voice); or (202) 693-9441 (facsimile).
FR Citation		83 FR 23943

83 FR 23943 - Proposed Extension of Information Collection; Notification of Methane Detected in Underground Metal and Nonmetal Mine Atmospheres

DEPARTMENT OF LABORMine Safety and Health Administration

Federal Register Volume 83, Issue 100 (May 23, 2018)

DEPARTMENT OF LABOR
Mine Safety and Health Administration