Mine Safety and Health Administration – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

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 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'' or the ``Agency'') is soliciting comments concerning the request for a new information collection related to the establish of a program to award competitive grants for education and training, to be know as the Brookwood-Sago Mine Safety Grants.

The Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) is proposing to amend its civil penalty regulations to increase penalty amounts and to implement new requirements of the Mine Improvement and New Emergency Response (MINER) Act of 2006 amendments to the Mine Safety and Health Act of 1977 (Mine Act). In addition, MSHA is proposing to revise procedures for proposing civil monetary penalties to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the civil penalty process. These changes are intended to induce greater mine operator compliance with the Mine Act and MSHA's safety and health standards and regulations, thereby improving safety and health for miners.

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 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 extension of the information collection related to the 30 CFR Sections 57.5047; Gamma Radiation Exposure Records.

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 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 extension of the information collection related to the 30 CFR Sections 57.22606(a); Explosive Materials and Blasting Units.

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 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 extension of the information collection related to the 30 CFR 77.1713; Daily Inspection of Surface Coal Mine; Certified Person; Reports of Inspection.

The Interpretive Bulletin reproduced below sets forth a statement of the Secretary of Labor's interpretation of Section 110(c) of the Federal Mine Safety and Health Act of 1977 (Mine Act), 30 U.S.C. 820(c), as it relates to agents of Limited Liability Companies (LLCs). The Interpretive Bulletin is considered an interpretive rule and provides an explanation of the Secretary's interpretation of Section 110(c) and the rationale supporting that interpretation. For the reasons set forth below, the Secretary's interpretation is that Section 110(c) of the Mine Act is applicable to agents of LLCs. The effect of the Secretary's interpretation is that agents of LLCs may be held personally liable under Section 110(c) of the Mine Act if they knowingly authorize, order, or carry out a violation of any mandatory health or safety standard under the Act or a violation of or failure or refusal to comply with any order issued under the Act or any order incorporated in a final decision issued under certain provisions of the Act.

The Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) will conduct three outreach seminars to assist metal and nonmetal underground mine operators who use diesel-powered equipment in complying with the diesel particulate matter (DPM) health standards published on May 18, 2006 (71 FR 28924). The seminars will also address requirements for special extensions of time in which to meet the final limit.

This final rule revises the May 20, 2006 effective date of the diesel particulate matter (DPM) final concentration limit of 160 micrograms of total carbon (TC) per cubic meter of air (160TC [mu]g/m3) promulgated in the 2001 final rule ``Diesel Particulate Matter Exposure of Underground Metal and Nonmetal Miners,'' and published in the Federal Register on January 19, 2001 (66 FR 5706) and amended on September 19, 2005 (70 FR 55019). This final rule increases flexibility of compliance for mine operators by allowing staggered effective dates for implementation of the final DPM limit, phased-in over a two-year period, primarily based on feasibility issues which have surfaced since promulgation of the 2001 final rule. Furthermore this final rule establishes requirements for medical evaluation of miners required to wear respiratory protection and transfer of miners who are medically unable to wear a respirator; deletes the existing provision that restricts newer mines from applying for an extension of time in which to meet the final concentration limit; addresses technological and economic feasibility issues, and the costs and benefits of this rule.

MSHA reviewed the requirements of the International Electrotechnical Commission's (IEC) standards for Electrical Apparatus for Explosive Gas Atmospheres to determine if they are equivalent to the Agency's applicable product approval requirements or can be modified to provide at least the same degree of protection as those requirements. MSHA has determined that the IEC's standards for explosion-proof enclosures, with modifications, provide the same degree of protection as MSHA's applicable product approval requirements. Applicants may request that MSHA grant product approval for explosion- proof (flameproof) enclosures based on compliance with the IEC standards provided MSHA's specified list of modifications is also addressed in the submitted design.

This Interpretive Bulletin sets forth a statement of the Secretary of Labor's interpretation of Section 110(c) of the Federal Mine Safety and Health Act of 1977 (Mine Act), 30 U.S.C. 820(c), as it relates to agents of Limited Liability Companies (LLCs). The Interpretive Bulletin is considered an interpretive rule and provides an explanation of the Secretary's interpretation of Section 110(c) and the rationale supporting that interpretation. For the reasons set forth below, the Secretary's interpretation is that Section 110(c) of the Mine Act is applicable to agents of LLCs. The effect of the Secretary's interpretation is that agents of LLCs may be held personally liable under Section 110(c) of the Mine Act if they knowingly authorize, order, or carry out a violation of any mandatory health or safety standard under the Act or a violation of or failure or refusal to comply with any order issued under the Act or any order incorporated in a final decision issued under certain provisions of the Act.

This notice corrects the Notice of Public Hearing for Sago Mine explosion, Buckhannon, WV; MSHA's and State of West Virginia's investigation published in the Federal Register on April 13, 2006.

We intend to review the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) standards for nonroad diesel engines to determine if certain EPA requirements in 40 CFR part 89, Control of Emissions From New and In- Use Nonroad Compression-Ignition Engines, provide, or can be modified to provide, at least the same degree of protection as our existing applicable requirements in 30 CFR part 7, subpart EDiesel Engines Intended for Use in Underground Coal Mines. This review is limited to the testing of Category B diesel engines as defined in 30 CFR 7.82, Definitions.

MSHA is rescheduling the date of a public hearing announced in the March 9, 2006 Emergency Temporary Standard on Emergency Mine Evacuation (71 FR 12252). The April 11, 2006 public hearing is rescheduled for May 9, 2006.

The Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) and the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) are hosting a workshop to identify the major issues and concerns related to mine escape planning and emergency shelters in the mining industry, and share information with the mining community. The workshop will provide for an exchange of information among all segments of the mining community involved with mine emergency preparedness and will generate an agenda for research to improve technology for mine safety in these areas.

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 and/or continuing collections of information in accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (PRA95) [44 U.S.C. 3506(c)(c)(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 extension of the information collection related to the 30 CFR Sections 70.209, 71.209, and 90.209 Mine Operator Dust Data Card; 70.201(c), 71.201(c), 90.201(c) Reporting Operator Sampling Dates; 70.202(b), 71.202(b), and 90.202(b)Dust Sampling Certification; 70.220(a), 71.220(a), and 90.220(a)Reporting Status Changes; and 71.300, 71.301(d),90.300, and 90.301(d)Respirable Dust Control Plan.

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 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 extension of the information collection related to the 30 CFR 56.3203(a), 57.3203(a), and 75.204(a); Safety Standards for Roof Bolts in Metal and Nonmetal Mines and Underground Coal Mines.

Under section 101 of the Federal Mine Safety and Health Act of 1977, the Secretary of Labor (Secretary) may allow the modification of the application of a mandatory safety standard to a mine if the Secretary determines either that an alternate method exists at a specific mine that will guarantee no less protection for the miners affected than that provided by the standard, or that the application of the standard at a specific mine will result in a diminution of safety to the affected miners. Final decisions on these petitions are based on the petitioner's statements, comments and information submitted by interested persons, and a field investigation of the conditions at the mine. As designee of the Secretary, we have granted or partially granted the requests for modification listed below. In some instances, the decisions are conditioned upon compliance with stipulations stated in the decision. The term FR Notice appears in the list of affirmative decisions below. The term refers to the Federal Register volume and page where we published a notice of the filing of the petition for modification.

The Mine Safety and Health Administration is requesting data, comments, and other information on issues relevant to underground mine rescue equipment and technology. Over the last several years, improvements have been made to communication devices, sensors and other forms of technology in general industry. As such, continuous development and deployment of mine rescue equipment and technology are crucial to enhancing the effectiveness of mine rescue operations and improving miners' survivability in the event of a mine emergency. Responses to this request for information will assist the Agency in determining an appropriate course of action as necessary to improve mine rescue capabilities.