[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 249 (Thursday, December 26, 1996)]
[Notices]
[Pages 68061-68062]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-32790]
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DEPARTMENT OF LABOR
Mine Safety and Health Administration
Proposed Information Collection Request Submitted for Public
Comment and Recommendations; Roof Control Plans
ACTION: Notice.
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SUMMARY: The Department of Labor, as part of its continuing effort to
reduce paperwork and respondent burden conducts a preclearance
consultation program to provide the general public and Federal agencies
with an opportunity to comment on proposed and/or continuing
collections of information in accordance with the Paperwork Reduction
Act of 1995 (PRA95) [44 U.S.C. 3506(c)(2)(A)]. 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 concerning the proposed extension of the
information collection related to Roof Control Plans. MSHA is
particularly interested in comments which:
evaluate whether the proposed collection of information is
necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the agency,
including whether the information will have practical utility;
evaluate the accuracy of the agency's estimate of the
burden of the proposed collection of information, including the
validity of the methodology and assumptions used;
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 submissions of responses.
A copy of the proposed information collection request can be
obtained by contacting the employee listed below in the Contact section
of this notice.
DATES: Submit comments on or before February 24, 1997.
ADDRESSES: Written comments shall be mailed to Patricia W. Silvey,
Director, Office of Standards, Regulations, and Variances, 4015 Wilson
Boulevard, Room 627, Arlington, VA 22203-1984. Commenters are
encouraged to send their comments on a computer disk, or via E-mail to
psilvey@msha.gov, along with an original printed copy. Ms. Silvey can
be reached at (703) 235-1910 (voice) or (703) 235-5551 (facsimile).
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
George M. Fesak, Director, Office of Program Evaluation and Information
Resources, U.S. Department of Labor, Mine Safety and Health
Administration, Room 715, 4015 Wilson Boulevard, Arlington, VA 22203-
1984. Mr. Fesak can be reached at gfesak@msha.gov (Internet E-mail),
(703) 235-8378 (voice), or (703) 235-1563 (facsimile).
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
I. Background
Section 302(a) of the Federal Mine Safety and Health Act of 1977
(Mine Act), 30 U.S.C. Sec. 846, requires that a roof control plan and
revisions thereof suitable to the roof conditions and mining system of
each coal mine be first approved by the Secretary of Labor (Secretary)
before implementation by the operator. The plan must show the type of
support and spacing approved by the Secretary, and the plan must be
reviewed at least every 6 months by the Secretary.
Under 30 CFR Sec. 75.221, the information required to be submitted
and approved in the roof control plan includes the following: (1) the
name and address of the company; (2) the name, address, mine
identification number and location of the mine; (3) the name and title
of the company official responsible for the plan; (4) a description of
the mine strata; (5) a description and drawings of the sequence of
installation and spacing of supports for each method of mining used;
(6) the maximum distance that an ATRS system is to be set beyond the
last row of permanent support (if appropriate); (7) specifications and
installation procedures for liners or arches (if appropriate); (8)
drawings indicating the planned width of openings, size of pillars,
method of pillar recovery, and the sequence of mining pillars; (9) a
list of all support materials required to be used in the roof, face and
rib control system; (10) the intervals at which test holes will be
drilled (if appropriate); and (11) a
[[Page 68062]]
description of the methods to be used for the protection of persons.
Roof control plans are evaluated by Mine Safety and Health
Administration (MSHA) specialists on the basis of the criteria set
forth in 30 CFR 75.222. The District Manager may require additional
measures in plans and may approve roof control plans that do not
conform to the applicable criteria in this section, provided that
effective control of the roof, face, and ribs can be maintained.
Under 30 CFR 75.223, a mine operator is required to propose
revisions to the roof control plan when conditions indicate that the
plan is not suitable for controlling the roof, face, ribs, or coal or
rock bursts, or when accident and injury experience at the mine
indicates the plan is inadequate. Revisions shall also contain a mine
map plot of each unplanned roof or rib fall and coal or rock burst that
occurs in the active workings when certain criteria are met. The
regulations also requires MSHA to review the plan every six months.
II. Current Actions
Falls of roof, face and rib continue to be a leading cause of
injuries and death in underground coal mines. All underground coal mine
operators are required to develop and submit roof control plans to MSHA
for evaluation and approval. These plans provide the means to instruct
miners, who install roof supports, in the minimum requirements and
placement of roof supports. The plan also provides a reference for mine
supervisors to assist them in compliance with the plan requirements. In
that regard the plan is a working document for the miners.
Type of Review: Extension.
Agency: Mine Safety and Health Administration.
Title: Roof Control Plans (30 CFR 75.220, 75.221, and 75.223).
Agency Number: 1219-0004.
Recordkeeping: Indefinite.
Affected Public: Business or other for-profit.
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Total Total Average time per Burden
Cite/reference respondents Frequency responses response hours
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75.220................. 12 On occasion............. 12 24 hours................ 288
75.223................. 1,105 On occasion............. 2,391 5 hours................. 11,955
75.223(b).............. 1,117 On occasion............. 2,025 5 minutes............... 162
Totals................. 2,234 ........................ 4,428 2.8 hours............... 12,405
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Estimated Total Burden Costs: $12,015.
Comments submitted in response to this notice will be summarized
and/or 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.
Dated: December 18, 1996.
George M. Fesak,
Director, Program Evaluation and Information Resources.
[FR Doc. 96-32790 Filed 12-24-96; 8:45 am]
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