2015-13594. Proposed Extension of Information Collection; Safety Standards for Roof Bolts in Metal and Nonmetal Mines and Underground Coal Mines

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, 44 U.S.C. 3506(c)(2)(A). This program helps to assure 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 Safety Standards for Roof Bolts in Metal and Nonmetal Mines and Underground Coal Mines.

DATES:

All comments must be received on or before August 3, 2015.

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-2015-0008.
• Regular Mail: Send comments to USDOL-MSHA, Office of Standards, Regulations, and Variances, 201 12th Street S., Suite 400, Arlington, VA 22202-5452.
• Hand Delivery: USDOL-Mine Safety and Health Administration, 201 12th Street South, Suite 400, 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, Acting Director, Office of Standards, Regulations, and Variances, MSHA, at [e-mail] (email); 202-693-9440 (voice); or 202-693-9441 (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 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.

Accidents involving falls of roof, face, and rib in underground mines or falls of highwall in surface mines, historically, have been among the leading causes of injuries and deaths. Prevention or control of falls of roof, face, and rib is uniquely difficult because of the variety of conditions encountered in mines that can affect the stability of various types of strata and the changing nature of the forces affecting ground stability at any given operation and time. Roof and rock bolts and accessories are an integral part of ground control systems and are used to prevent the fall of roof, face, and rib. Advancements in technology of roof and rock bolts and accessories have aided in reducing the hazards associated with falls of roof, face, and rib.

The American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) publication “Standard Specification for Roof and Rock Bolts and Accessories” is a consensus standard used throughout the United States. It contains specifications for the chemical, mechanical, and dimensional requirements for roof and rock bolts and accessories used for ground support systems. The ASTM standard for roof and rock bolts and accessories is updated periodically to reflect advances in technology.

Title 30 Code of Federal Regulations (30 CFR), parts 56 and 57 subpart B-Ground Control, section 56.3203 and section 57.3203, and part 75 subpart C-Roof Support, section 75.204, address the quality of roof and rock bolts and accessories and their installation. MSHA's objective in these regulations is to ensure the quality and effectiveness of roof and rock bolts and accessories and, as technology evolves, to allow for the use of new materials which are proven to be reliable and effective in controlling the mine roof, face, and rib.

30 CFR 56.3203(a), 57.3203(a), and 75.204(a) require: (1) That mine operators obtain a certification from the manufacturer that roof and rock bolts and accessories are manufactured and tested in accordance with the applicable ASTM specifications, and (2) that the manufacturer's certification is made available to an authorized representative of the Secretary of Labor (Secretary).

30 CFR 56.3203(h) and 57.3203(h) require that if the mine operator uses other tensioned and nontensioned fixtures and accessories for ground control that are not addressed by the applicable ASTM standard listed in sections 56.3203(a) and 57.3203(a), test methods must be established by the mine operator and used to verify their ground control effectiveness. 30 CFR 56.3203(i) and 57.3203(i) require that the mine operator certify that the tests developed under sections 56.3203(h) and 57.3203(h) were conducted and such certifications be made available to an authorized representative of the Secretary.

30 CFR 75.204(f)(6) requires that the mine operator or a person designated by the operator certify by signature and date the measurements required by paragraph (f)(5) of this section have been made. Paragraph (f)(5) requires that in working places from which coal is produced during any portion of a 24-hour period, the actual torque or tension on at least one out of every ten previously installed mechanically anchored tensioned roof bolts is measured from the outby corner of the last open crosscut to the face in each advancing section. This certification shall be maintained for at least one year and shall be made available to an authorized representative of the Secretary and representatives of the miners.

MSHA has found that the certification requirements have been successful in maintaining compliance with requirements for roof and rock bolts and accessories.

II. Desired Focus of Comments

MSHA is soliciting comments concerning the proposed information collection related to Safety Standards for Roof Bolts in Metal and Nonmetal Mines and 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.

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 Street South, Suite 400, 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 Safety Standards for Roof Bolts in Metal and Nonmetal Mines and 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.

Type of Review: Extension, without change, of a currently approved collection.

Agency: Mine Safety and Health Administration.

OMB Number: 1219-0121.

Affected Public: Business or other for-profit.

Number of Respondents: 844.

Frequency: On occasion.

Number of Responses: 87,674.

Annual Burden Hours: 537 hours.

Annual Respondent or Recordkeeper Cost: $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 information collection request; they will also become a matter of public record.

Dated: May 29, 2015.

Sheila McConnell,

Certifying Officer.