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 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, mandatory health or safety standards for the protection of life and prevention of injuries in coal or other mines.

Under section 75.1732 of title 30 Code of Federal Regulations, MSHA requires underground coal mine operators to equip continuous mining machines, except full-face continuous mining machines, with proximity detection systems. 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 continuous mining machines before a pinning, crushing, or striking accident occurs that could result in injury or death to a miner.

Section 75.1732(d)(1) requires at the completion of the check of the machine-mounted components of the proximity ( printed page 78365) detection system under section 75.1732(d)(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 before the end of the shift.

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).

Section 75.1732(d)(4) requires the operator to maintain records in a secure book or electronically in a secure computer system not susceptible to alteration.

Section 75.1732(d)(5) requires the operator to retain records for at least 1 year and make them 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.

Background documents related to this information collection request are available at https://regulations.gov and in DOL-MSHA located at 201 12th Street South, Suite 4E401, Arlington, VA 22202-5452. Questions about the information collection requirements may be directed to the person listed in the FOR FURTHER INFORMATION section of this notice from the previous collection of information.

III. Current Actions

This information collection request concerns 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 from the previous 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: 116.

Frequency: On occasion.

Number of Responses: 191,288.

Annual Burden Hours: 544 hours.

Annual Respondent or Recordkeeper Cost: $0.

Comments submitted in response to this notice will be summarized in the request for Office of Management and Budget approval of the proposed information collection request; they will become a matter of public record and will be available at https://www.reginfo.gov.

85 FR 78364