Proposed Extension of Information Collection; Records of Preshift and Onshift Inspections of Slope and Shaft Areas at Coal Mines

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Background

A. Legal Authority

Section 103(h) of the Federal Mine Safety and Health Act of 1977 (Mine Act) as amended, 30 U.S.C. 813(h), authorizes the Mine Safety and Health Administration (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(a), 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, metal and nonmetal mines.

B. Information Collection

In order to fulfill the statutory mandates to promote miners' health and safety, MSHA requires the collection of information under the information collection request entitled Records of Preshift and Onshift Inspections of Slope and Shaft Areas at Coal Mines. The information collection is intended to assist slope and shaft supervisors and employees, State mine inspectors, and Federal mine inspectors in making decisions that will ultimately affect the safety and health of slope and shaft sinking employees based on the records that show the examinations and tests that were conducted.

The working environment is typically a confined area in close proximity to moving equipment. The sinking of slopes and shafts is a particularly hazardous operation where conditions change drastically in short periods of time. Explosive methane and other harmful gases can be expected to infiltrate the work environment at any time. Preshift and onshift inspections, as well as inspections before and after blasting, are fundamental to ensuring that no changes have occurred, and that the working environment is in a condition that is optimal for miner health and safety.

1. Preshift and Onshift Inspections

Preshift inspections need to be completed close to the beginning of shifts to ensure that there is little time for conditions to change, and during shifts to ensure that conditions are stable. Under 30 CFR 77.1901, slope and shaft areas must be examined by a certified person for hazardous conditions, including tests for methane and oxygen deficiency, within 90 minutes before each shift, at least once during each shift when employees are inside any slope or shaft during development, and before and after blasting. The surface area surrounding each slope and shaft is also required to be inspected by a certified person for hazards and all hazards in the vicinity must be corrected before miners are permitted to enter the excavation.

It is also important to keep records of these conditions and any corrective actions upon the discovery of hazardous conditions. Under 30 CFR 77.1901(f), operators must keep records of the results of the inspections. The record includes a description of any hazardous condition found and the corrective action taken to abate it. The record is necessary to ensure that the inspections and tests are conducted in a timely fashion and that corrective action is taken when hazardous conditions are identified, thereby ensuring a safe working environment for the slope and shaft sinking employees. The record is maintained at the mine site for the duration of the operation.

II. Desired Focus of Comments

MSHA is soliciting comments concerning the proposed information collection related to Records of Preshift and Onshift Inspections of Slope and Shaft Areas at 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 https://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 https://www.regulations.gov and https://www.reginfo.gov.

The public may also examine publicly available documents at DOL-MSHA, Office of Standards, Regulations and Variances, 201 12th Street South, 4th Floor West, Arlington, VA 22202-5452. Sign in at the receptionist's desk on the 4th Floor via the West elevator. Before visiting MSHA in person, call 202-693-9455 to make an appointment.

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 information collection request concerns provisions for Records of Preshift and Onshift Inspections of Slope and Shaft Areas at Coal Mines. MSHA has updated the data with respect to the number of respondents, responses, time burden, 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: 1219-0082.

Affected Public: Business or other for-profit.

Number of Annual Respondents: 15.

Frequency: On occasion.

Number of Annual Responses: 6,600.

Annual Time Burden: 8,250 hours.

Annual Other Burden Costs: $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 proposed information collection request; they will become a matter of public record and be available at https://www.reginfo.gov.

[FR Doc. 2024-25237 Filed 10-30-24; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 4510-43-P