2019-26261. Proposed Extension of Information Collection; Mine Rescue Teams; Arrangements for Emergency Medical Assistance and Transportation for Injured Persons; Agreements; Reporting Requirements; Posting Requirements

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 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 Mine Rescue Teams; Arrangements for Emergency Medical Assistance and Transportation for Injured Persons; Agreements; Reporting Requirements; Posting Requirements.

DATES:

All comments must be received on or before February 3, 2020.

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-20##-0###].
• 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 [e-mail] (email); [phone] (voice); or [phone] (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 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 and metal and nonmetal mines.

In this revision to OMB No. 1219-0144, it is being combined with OMB No. 1219-0078 (Expiring 2/29/2020) to be housed in OMB No. 1219-0144 only. The 5000-3 Form, which currently belongs to both OMB No.'s, will then cover one OMB No.

30 CFR part 49, subpart B—Mine Rescue Teams for Underground Coal Mines, sets standards related to the availability of mine rescue teams; alternate mine rescue capability for small and remote mines; inspection and maintenance records of mine rescue equipment and apparatus; physical requirements for mine rescue team members and alternates; and experience and training requirements for team members and alternates. The collection of information under 30 CFR part 49, subpart B, covers the following requirements for underground coal mines.

Section 49.12 requires each operator of an underground coal mine to send the District Manager a statement describing the mine's method of compliance with this standard.

Section 49.13 provides that operators of small and remote mines may submit an application for alternative mine rescue capability to MSHA for approval.

Section 49.16 requires that a person trained in the use and care of a breathing apparatus must inspect and test the apparatus at intervals not exceeding 30 days and must certify by signature and date that the required inspections and tests were done, and record any corrective action taken.

Section 49.17 requires that each member of a mine rescue team be examined annually by a physician who must certify that each person is physically fit to perform mine rescue and recovery work.

Section 49.18 requires that a record of the training received by each mine rescue team member be made and kept on file at the mine rescue station for a period of one year. The operator must provide the District Manager information concerning the schedule of upcoming training when requested.

Section 49.19 requires that each mine have a mine rescue notification plan outlining the procedures to be followed in notifying the mine rescue teams when there is an emergency that requires their services.

Section 49.50 requires underground coal mine operators to certify that each designated coal mine rescue team meets the requirements of 30 CFR part 49 subpart B.

Sections 75.1713-1 and 77.1702 require operators to make arrangements for 24-hour emergency medical assistance and transportation for injured persons and to post this information at appropriate places at the mine, including the names, titles, addresses, and telephone numbers of all persons or services currently available under those arrangements.

Under 30 CFR part 49 subpart A, Mine Rescue Teams for Underground Metal and Nonmetal Mines, requires every operator of an underground mine to assure the availability of mine rescue capability for purposes of emergency rescue and recovery. This collection of information relates to the availability of mine rescue teams; alternate mine rescue capability for small and remote mines and mines with special mining conditions; inspection and maintenance records of mine rescue equipment and apparatus; physical requirements for team members and alternates; and experience and training requirements for team members and alternates.

II. Desired Focus of Comments

MSHA is soliciting comments concerning the proposed information collection related to Mine Rescue Teams; Arrangements for Emergency Medical Assistance and Transportation for Injured Persons; Agreements; Reporting Requirements; Posting Requirements. 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 Mine Rescue Teams; Arrangements for Emergency Medical Assistance and Transportation for Injured Persons; Agreements; Reporting Requirements; Posting Requirements. 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: Revision of a currently approved collection.

Agency: Mine Safety and Health Administration.

OMB Number: 1219-0144.

Affected Public: Business or other for-profit.

Number of Respondents: 577.

Frequency: On occasion.

Number of Responses: 40,588.

Annual Burden Hours: 13,107 hours.

Annual Respondent or Recordkeeper Cost: $1,980,169.

MSHA Forms: MSHA Form 2000-224, Operator's Annual Certification of Mine Rescue Team Qualifications and MSHA Form 5000-3, Certificate of Physical Qualification for Mine Rescue Work.

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.