2015-19931. Agency Information Collection Activities; Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request; Notification of Methane Detected in Underground Metal and Nonmetal Mine Atmospheres

ACTION:

Notice.

SUMMARY:

The Department of Labor (DOL) is submitting the Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) sponsored information collection request (ICR) titled, “Notification of Methane Detected in Underground Metal and Nonmetal Mine Atmospheres,” to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for review and approval for continued use, without change, in accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (PRA), 44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq. Public comments on the ICR are invited.

DATES:

The OMB will consider all written comments that agency receives on or before September 14, 2015.

ADDRESSES:

A copy of this ICR with applicable supporting documentation; including a description of the likely respondents, proposed frequency of response, and estimated total burden may be obtained free of charge from the RegInfo.gov Web site at http://www.reginfo.gov/​public/​do/​PRAViewICR?​ref_​nbr=​201502-1219-002 (this link will only become active on the day following publication of this notice) or by contacting Michel Smyth by telephone at 202-693-4129, TTY 202-693-8064, (these are not toll-free numbers) or by email at [e-mail].

Submit comments about this request by mail or courier to the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs, Attn: OMB Desk Officer for DOL-MSHA, Office of Management and Budget, Room 10235, 725 17th Street NW., Washington, DC 20503; by Fax: [phone] (this is not a toll-free number); or by email: [e-mail]. Commenters are encouraged, but not required, to send a courtesy copy of any comments by mail or courier to the U.S. Department of Labor-OASAM, Office of the Chief Information Officer, Attn: Departmental Information Compliance Management Program, Room N1301, 200 Constitution Avenue NW., Washington, DC 20210; or by email: [e-mail].

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Contact Michel Smyth by telephone at 202-693-4129, TTY 202-693-8064, (these are not toll-free numbers) or by email at [e-mail].

Authority: 44 U.S.C. 3507(a)(1)(D).

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

This ICR seeks to extend PRA authority for the Notification of Methane Detected in Underground Metal and Nonmetal Mine Atmospheres information collection requirements codified in regulations 30 CFR part 57. Regulations 30 CFR 57.22004(c) requires a Metal/Non-Metal mine operator to notify the MSHA as soon as possible when any of the following events occur: There is an outburst that results in 0.25 percent or more methane in the mine atmosphere, there is a blowout that results in 0.25 percent or more methane in the mine atmosphere, there is an ignition of methane, or 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 §§ 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, the MSHA is to be immediately notified. Regulations 30 CFR 57.22229 and 57.22230 require that the mine atmosphere be tested for either or both methane and 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 an underground Metal/Non-Metal mine 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 an underground Metal/Non-Metal mine categorized as II-A mines where the atmosphere is tested for methane. Where an examination discloses hazardous conditions, affected miners must be informed. Sections 57.22229(d) and 57.22230(c) require that the person performing a test certify by signature and date that the test has been conducted. Certifications of examinations are to be kept for at least one year and made available to authorized representatives of the Secretary of Labor. Federal Mine Safety and Health Act of 1977 sections 101(a) and 103(h) and (i) authorize this information collection. See 30 U.S.C. 811(a); 813(h) and (i).

This information collection is subject to the PRA. A Federal agency generally cannot conduct or sponsor a collection of information, and the public is generally not required to respond to an information collection, unless it is approved by the OMB under the PRA and displays a currently valid OMB Control Number. In addition, notwithstanding any other provisions of law, no person shall generally be subject to penalty for failing to comply with a collection of information that does not display a valid Control Number. See 5 CFR 1320.5(a) and 1320.6. The DOL obtains OMB approval for this information collection under Control Number 1219-0103.

OMB authorization for an ICR cannot be for more than three (3) years without renewal, and the current approval for this collection is scheduled to expire on September 30, 2015. The DOL seeks to extend PRA authorization for this information collection for three (3) more years, without any change to existing requirements. The DOL notes that existing information collection requirements submitted to the OMB receive a month-to-month extension while they undergo review. For additional substantive information about this ICR, see the related notice published in the Federal Register on May 28, 2015 (80 FR 30495).

Interested parties are encouraged to send comments to the OMB, Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs at the address shown in the ADDRESSES section within thirty (30) days of publication of this notice in the Federal Register. In order to help ensure appropriate consideration, comments should mention OMB Control Number 1219-0103. The OMB is particularly interested in comments that:

• 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 submission of responses.

Agency: DOL-MSHA.

Title of Collection: Notification of Methane Detected in Underground Metal and Nonmetal Mine Atmospheres.

OMB Control Number: 1219-0103.

Affected Public: Private Sector—businesses or other for-profits.

Total Estimated Number of Respondents: 4.

Total Estimated Number of Responses: 213.

Total Estimated Annual Time Burden: 18 hours.

Total Estimated Annual Other Costs Burden: $0.

Dated: August 7, 2015.

Michel Smyth,

Departmental Clearance Officer.