Proposed Information Collection Request Submitted for Public Comment and Recommendations; Roof Control Plans [12/26/96]

MSHA - Federal Register Documents: INFORMATION REQUESTS

[Federal Register: December 26, 1996 (Volume 61, Number 249)]
[Notices]
[Page 68061-68062]

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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, 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 Fesak.George@dol.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 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.

Cite/Reference	Total respondents	Frequency	Total responses	Average time per response	Burden Hours
75.220................. 75.223................. 75.223(b).............. Totals.................	12 1,105 1,117 2,234	On occasion............. On occasion............. On occasion............. ........................	12 2,391 2,025 4,428	24 hours................ 5 hours................. 5 minutes............... 2.8 hours...............	288 11,955 162 12,405

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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