Proposed Extension of Information Collection; Underground Retorts, 66453-66454 [2024-18184]
Download as PDF
<![CDATA[
khammond on DSKJM1Z7X2PROD with NOTICES
Federal Register / Vol. 89, No. 158 / Thursday, August 15, 2024 / Notices
atmospheres to perform maintenance or
investigation). Fit-testing records are
used to ensure that a respirator worn by
an individual is the same brand, model,
and size respirator that was worn when
that individual successfully passed a fittest. Records of emergency respirator
inspection are used to ensure that
respirators are in proper working order
when needed.
MSHA uses the information to
determine compliance with the standard
specified in 30 CFR 72.710. For
additional substantive information
about this ICR, see the related notice
published in the Federal Register on
May 1, 2024 (89 FR 35250).
Comments are invited on: (1) whether
the collection of information is
necessary for the proper performance of
the functions of the Department,
including whether the information will
have practical utility; (2) the accuracy of
the agency’s estimates of the burden and
cost of the collection of information,
including the validity of the
methodology and assumptions used; (3)
ways to enhance the quality, utility and
clarity of the information collection; and
(4) ways to minimize the burden of the
collection of information on those who
are to respond, including the use of
automated collection techniques or
other forms of information technology.
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 the OMB
approves it 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 OMB Control Number.
See 5 CFR 1320.5(a) and 1320.6.
Agency: DOL–MSHA.
Title of Collection: Respiratory
Protection Program at Coal Mines.
OMB Control Number: 1219–0NEW.
Affected Public: Businesses or other
for-profits.
Number of Respondents: 1,106.
Frequency: Annual.
Number of Responses: 19,908.
Annual Burden Hours: 11,060 hours.
Total Estimated Annual Other Costs
Burden: $0.
(Authority: 44 U.S.C. 3507(a)(1)(D)).
Michael Howell,
Senior Paperwork Reduction Act Analyst.
[FR Doc. 2024–18182 Filed 8–14–24; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4510–43–P
VerDate Sep<11>2014
17:25 Aug 14, 2024
Jkt 262001
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
DEPARTMENT OF LABOR
Mine Safety and Health Administration
[OMB Control No. 1219–0096]
Proposed Extension of Information
Collection; Underground Retorts
Mine Safety and Health
Administration, Labor.
ACTION: Request for public comments.
AGENCY:
The Department of Labor
(DOL), as part of its continuing effort to
reduce paperwork and respondent
burden, conducts a pre-clearance
request for comment 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 request
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.
The Mine Safety and Health
Administration (MSHA) is soliciting
comments on the information collection
entitled Underground Retorts.
DATES: All comments must be received
on or before October 15, 2024.
ADDRESSES: Comments concerning the
information collection requirements of
this notice may be sent by any of the
methods listed below. Please note that
late comments received after the
deadline will not be considered.
• Federal E-Rulemaking Portal:
https://www.regulations.gov. Follow the
on-line instructions for submitting
comments for docket number MSHA–
2024–0013.
• Mail/Hand Delivery: DOL–MSHA,
Office of Standards, Regulations, and
Variances, 201 12th Street South, 4th
Floor West, Arlington, VA 22202–5452.
Before visiting MSHA in person, call
202–693–9455 to make an appointment,
in keeping with the Department of
Labor’s COVID–19 policy. Special
health precautions may be required.
• MSHA will post all comments as
well as any attachments, except for
information submitted and marked as
confidential, in the docket at https://
www.regulations.gov.
SUMMARY:
S.
Aromie Noe, Director, Office of
Standards, Regulations, and Variances,
MSHA, at
MSHA.information.collections@dol.gov
(email); (202) 693–9440 (voice); or (202)
693–9441 (facsimile). These are not tollfree numbers.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
PO 00000
Frm 00112
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
66453
I. Background
Section 103(h) of the Federal Mine
Safety and Health Act of 1977, as
amended (Mine Act), 30 U.S.C. 813(h),
authorizes the Mine Safety and Health
Administration (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(a), authorizes
the Secretary of Labor (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, metal, and nonmetal
mines.
In order to fulfill the statutory
mandates to promote miners’ health and
safety, MSHA requires the collection of
information entitled Underground
Retorts. The information collection
addressed by this notice is intended to
ensure that combustible gases at
underground oil shale mines are kept at
acceptable levels and do not expose
miners to explosive or other hazardous
conditions.
Title 30 CFR 57.22401 sets forth safety
requirements for using a retort to extract
oil from shale in underground metal and
nonmetal I–A and I–B mines (mines that
operate in a combustible ore and either
liberate methane or have the potential to
liberate methane based on the history of
the mine or the geological area in which
the mine is located). Prior to ignition of
underground retorts, mine operators
must submit a written ignition operation
plan to the MSHA District Manager for
the area where the mine is located. The
ignition operation plan must contain
site-specific safeguards and safety
procedures for the underground areas of
the mine which are affected by the
retorts. The required contents listed in
30 CFR 57.22401(b) include:
(1) Acceptable levels of combustible
gases and oxygen in retort off-gases
during start-up and during burning;
levels at which corrective action will be
initiated; levels at which personnel will
be removed from the retort areas, from
the mine, and from endangered surface
areas; and the conditions for reentering
the mine;
(2) Specifications and locations of offgas monitoring procedures and
equipment;
(3) Specifications for construction of
retort bulkheads and seals, and their
locations;
(4) Procedures for ignition of a retort
and for reignition following a shutdown;
and
(5) Details of area monitoring and
alarm systems for hazardous gases and
E:\FR\FM\15AUN1.SGM
15AUN1
66454
Federal Register / Vol. 89, No. 158 / Thursday, August 15, 2024 / Notices
actions to be taken to ensure safety of
personnel.
II. Desired Focus of Comments
MSHA is soliciting comments
concerning the proposed information
collection related to Underground
Retorts. 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 https://
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 https://
www.regulations.gov and https://
www.reginfo.gov.
The public may also examine publicly
available documents at DOL–MSHA,
Office of Standards, Regulations and
Variances, 201 12th Street South, 4th
Floor West, Arlington, VA 22202–5452.
Sign in at the receptionist’s desk on the
4th Floor via the West elevator. Before
visiting MSHA in person, call 202–693–
9455 to make an appointment, in
keeping with the Department of Labor’s
COVID–19 policy. Special health
precautions may be required.
Questions about the information
collection requirements may be directed
to the person listed in the FOR FURTHER
INFORMATION section of this notice.
khammond on DSKJM1Z7X2PROD with NOTICES
III. Current Actions
This information collection request
concerns provisions for Underground
Retorts. MSHA has updated the data
with respect to the number of
respondents, responses, time burden,
and burden costs supporting this
information collection request from the
previous information collection request.
VerDate Sep<11>2014
17:25 Aug 14, 2024
Jkt 262001
Type of Review: Extension, without
change, of a currently approved
collection.
Agency: Mine Safety and Health
Administration.
OMB Number: 1219–0096.
Affected Public: Business or other forprofit.
Number of Annual Respondents: 1.
Frequency: On occasion.
Number of Annual Responses: 1.
Annual Time Burden: 160 hours.
Annual Other Burden Costs: $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
proposed information collection
request; they will become a matter of
public record and be available at https://
www.reginfo.gov.
Song-ae Aromie Noe,
Certifying Officer, Mine Safety and Health
Administration.
[FR Doc. 2024–18184 Filed 8–14–24; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4510–43–P
DEPARTMENT OF LABOR
Mine Safety and Health Administration
[OMB Control No. 1219–0103]
Proposed Extension of Information
Collection; Notification of Methane
Detected in Underground Metal and
Nonmetal Mine Atmospheres
Mine Safety and Health
Administration, Labor.
ACTION: Request for public comments.
AGENCY:
The Department of Labor
(DOL), as part of its continuing effort to
reduce paperwork and respondent
burden, conducts a pre-clearance
request for comment 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 request
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.
The Mine Safety and Health
Administration (MSHA) is soliciting
comments on the information collection
entitled Notification of Methane
Detected in Underground Metal and
Nonmetal Mine Atmospheres.
DATES: All comments must be received
on or before October 15, 2024.
ADDRESSES: Comments concerning the
information collection requirements of
SUMMARY:
PO 00000
Frm 00113
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
this notice may be sent by any of the
methods listed below. Please note that
late comments received after the
deadline will not be considered.
• Federal E-Rulemaking Portal:
https://www.regulations.gov. Follow the
on-line instructions for submitting
comments for docket number MSHA–
2024–0016.
• Mail/Hand Delivery: DOL–MSHA,
Office of Standards, Regulations, and
Variances, 201 12th Street South, 4th
Floor West, Arlington, VA 22202–5452.
Before visiting MSHA in person, call
202–693–9455 to make an appointment,
in keeping with the Department of
Labor’s COVID–19 policy. Special
health precautions may be required.
• MSHA will post all comments as
well as any attachments, except for
information submitted and marked as
confidential, in the docket at https://
www.regulations.gov.
S.
Aromie Noe, Director, Office of
Standards, Regulations, and Variances,
MSHA, at
MSHA.information.collections@dol.gov
(email); (202) 693–9440 (voice); or (202)
693–9441 (facsimile). These are not tollfree numbers.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
I. Background
Section 103(h) of the Federal Mine
Safety and Health Act of 1977, as
amended (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(a), authorizes
the Secretary of Labor (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, metal and nonmetal
mines.
In order to fulfil the statutory
mandates to protect miners’ health and
safety, MSHA requires the collection of
information entitled Notification of
Methane Detected in Underground
Metal and Nonmetal Mine Atmospheres.
The information collection addressed by
this notice is intended to ensure that all
underground mines, and the surface
mills of Subcategory I–C mines
(gilsonite), protect miners against the
hazards of methane and dusts
containing volatile matter.
Methane is a flammable gas found in
underground mines in the United
States. Although methane is often
associated with underground coal
mines, it also occurs in some metal and
nonmetal (MNM) mines. Under 30 CFR
E:\FR\FM\15AUN1.SGM
15AUN1
]]>Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 89, Number 158 (Thursday, August 15, 2024)]
[Notices]
[Pages 66453-66454]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2024-18184]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF LABOR
Mine Safety and Health Administration
[OMB Control No. 1219-0096]
Proposed Extension of Information Collection; Underground Retorts
AGENCY: Mine Safety and Health Administration, Labor.
ACTION: Request for public comments.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: The Department of Labor (DOL), as part of its continuing
effort to reduce paperwork and respondent burden, conducts a pre-
clearance request for comment 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 request 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. The Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) is
soliciting comments on the information collection entitled Underground
Retorts.
DATES: All comments must be received on or before October 15, 2024.
ADDRESSES: Comments concerning the information collection requirements
of this notice may be sent by any of the methods listed below. Please
note that late comments received after the deadline will not be
considered.
Federal E-Rulemaking Portal: https://www.regulations.gov.
Follow the on-line instructions for submitting comments for docket
number MSHA-2024-0013.
Mail/Hand Delivery: DOL-MSHA, Office of Standards,
Regulations, and Variances, 201 12th Street South, 4th Floor West,
Arlington, VA 22202-5452. Before visiting MSHA in person, call 202-693-
9455 to make an appointment, in keeping with the Department of Labor's
COVID-19 policy. Special health precautions may be required.
MSHA will post all comments as well as any attachments,
except for information submitted and marked as confidential, in the
docket at https://www.regulations.gov.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: S. Aromie Noe, Director, Office of
Standards, Regulations, and Variances, MSHA, at
[email protected] (email); (202) 693-9440 (voice);
or (202) 693-9441 (facsimile). These are not toll-free numbers.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
I. Background
Section 103(h) of the Federal Mine Safety and Health Act of 1977,
as amended (Mine Act), 30 U.S.C. 813(h), authorizes the Mine Safety and
Health Administration (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(a), authorizes the
Secretary of Labor (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, metal, and
nonmetal mines.
In order to fulfill the statutory mandates to promote miners'
health and safety, MSHA requires the collection of information entitled
Underground Retorts. The information collection addressed by this
notice is intended to ensure that combustible gases at underground oil
shale mines are kept at acceptable levels and do not expose miners to
explosive or other hazardous conditions.
Title 30 CFR 57.22401 sets forth safety requirements for using a
retort to extract oil from shale in underground metal and nonmetal I-A
and I-B mines (mines that operate in a combustible ore and either
liberate methane or have the potential to liberate methane based on the
history of the mine or the geological area in which the mine is
located). Prior to ignition of underground retorts, mine operators must
submit a written ignition operation plan to the MSHA District Manager
for the area where the mine is located. The ignition operation plan
must contain site-specific safeguards and safety procedures for the
underground areas of the mine which are affected by the retorts. The
required contents listed in 30 CFR 57.22401(b) include:
(1) Acceptable levels of combustible gases and oxygen in retort
off-gases during start-up and during burning; levels at which
corrective action will be initiated; levels at which personnel will be
removed from the retort areas, from the mine, and from endangered
surface areas; and the conditions for reentering the mine;
(2) Specifications and locations of off-gas monitoring procedures
and equipment;
(3) Specifications for construction of retort bulkheads and seals,
and their locations;
(4) Procedures for ignition of a retort and for reignition
following a shutdown; and
(5) Details of area monitoring and alarm systems for hazardous
gases and
[[Page 66454]]
actions to be taken to ensure safety of personnel.
II. Desired Focus of Comments
MSHA is soliciting comments concerning the proposed information
collection related to Underground Retorts. 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 https://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 https://www.regulations.gov and https://www.reginfo.gov.
The public may also examine publicly available documents at DOL-
MSHA, Office of Standards, Regulations and Variances, 201 12th Street
South, 4th Floor West, Arlington, VA 22202-5452. Sign in at the
receptionist's desk on the 4th Floor via the West elevator. Before
visiting MSHA in person, call 202-693-9455 to make an appointment, in
keeping with the Department of Labor's COVID-19 policy. Special health
precautions may be required.
Questions about the information collection requirements may be
directed to the person listed in the FOR FURTHER INFORMATION section of
this notice.
III. Current Actions
This information collection request concerns provisions for
Underground Retorts. MSHA has updated the data with respect to the
number of respondents, responses, time burden, and burden costs
supporting this information collection request from the previous
information collection request.
Type of Review: Extension, without change, of a currently approved
collection.
Agency: Mine Safety and Health Administration.
OMB Number: 1219-0096.
Affected Public: Business or other for-profit.
Number of Annual Respondents: 1.
Frequency: On occasion.
Number of Annual Responses: 1.
Annual Time Burden: 160 hours.
Annual Other Burden Costs: $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 proposed information collection request; they will
become a matter of public record and be available at https://www.reginfo.gov.
Song-ae Aromie Noe,
Certifying Officer, Mine Safety and Health Administration.
[FR Doc. 2024-18184 Filed 8-14-24; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4510-43-P
