1219-0141 ROCIS Final

1219-0141 ROCIS Final.pdf

Emergency Mine Evacuation

OMB: 1219-0141

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OMB No. 1219-0141
SUPPORTING STATEMENT
Emergency Mine Evacuation
30 C.F.R. § 48.3 - Training plans; time of submission; where filed; information required; time for
approval; method for disapproval; commencement of training; approval of instructors.
30 C.F.R. § 75.1502 - Mine emergency evacuation and firefighting program of instruction.
30 C.F.R. § 75.1504 - Mine emergency evacuation training and drills.
30 C.F.R. § 75.1505 - Escapeway maps.
30 C.F.R. § 75.1714-3 - Self-rescue devices; inspection, testing, maintenance, repair, and
recordkeeping.
30 C.F.R. § 75.1714-5 - Map locations of self-contained self-rescuers (SCSRs).
30 C.F.R. § 75.1714-8 - Reporting SCSR inventory and malfunctions; retention of SCSRs.
A. Justification
1. Explain the circumstances that make the collection of information necessary. Identify
any legal or administrative requirements that necessitate the collection. Attach a copy of the
appropriate section of each statute and regulation mandating or authorizing the collection of
information.
The Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) issued a final rule addressing emergency
mine evacuation in 2006. This regulation included requirements for immediate accident
notification applicable to all mines. In addition, it contained requirements for new and expanded
training, including evacuation drills; self-contained self-rescuer (SCSR) storage, training, and use;
and the installation and maintenance of lifelines in underground coal mines.
Section 103(h) of the Federal Mine Safety and Health Act of 1977 (Mine Act) authorizes MSHA
to collect information necessary to carryout its duty in protecting the safety and health of miners,
as follows:
(h) In addition to such records as are specifically required by this Act, every
operator of a coal or other mine shall establish and maintain such records, make
such reports, and provide such information, as the Secretary or the Secretary of
Health, Education, and Welfare may reasonably require from time to time to enable
him to perform his functions under this Act. * * *
2. Indicate how, by whom, and for what purpose the information is to be used. Except for a
new collection, indicate the actual use the agency has made of the information received from
the current collection.
30 C.F.R. § 48.3(p) requires underground coal operators to modify their training plans under
30 C.F.R. part 48 whenever they modify their program of instruction under 30 C.F.R. 75.1502.
This will ensure that newly hired miners receive the same level of training as is required for other
miners. Operators use part 48 training plans to train each miner about the safety and health
aspects of the mining environment and the tasks associated with the miner’s job. MSHA uses the
plans to ensure that all miners are receiving training necessary to perform their jobs in a safe
manner.
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30 C.F.R. § 75.1502(a) requires underground coal operators to submit a Mine Emergency
Evacuation and Firefighting Program of Instruction to the District Manager for approval. Upon
approval by the MSHA District Manager, the operator uses the approved program of instruction to
implement programs for training miners in responding appropriately to mine emergencies. MSHA
uses the plans to ensure that the operator’s program will provide the required training and drills to
all miners.
30 C.F.R. § 75.1504(d) requires the operator to certify the training and drill for each miner at the
completion of each quarterly drill, annual expectations training, or other training, and that a copy
be provided to the miner upon request. These certifications are used by MSHA, operators, and
miners as evidence that the required training has been completed.
30 C.F.R. §§ 75.1505, and 75.1714-5 include requirements that escapeway maps show the SCSR
storage locations. Accurate and up-to-date maps are essential to the engineering plans and safe
operation of mines and to the health and safety of the miners. MSHA and other emergency
evacuation personnel will use the notations on the maps should a rescue or recovery operation be
necessary. Miners use the escapeway maps in training and during mine evacuations. Escapeway
maps are required to be posted or readily accessible for all miners in each working section, areas
where mechanized mining equipment is being installed or removed, at surface locations where
miners congregate and in each refuge alternative.
30 C.F.R. § 75.1714-3(e) requires that persons that test Self-Contained, Self-Rescuers (SCSRs)
certify that the tests were done and record all corrective actions. MSHA inspectors use these
records to determine compliance with the standards.
30 C.F.R. § 75.1714-8 includes requirements for compiling, maintaining, and reporting an
inventory of all SCSRs at the mine, and for reporting defects, performance problems, or
malfunctions with SCSRs. This will assure that MSHA can investigate SCSR problems, if
necessary, notify other users of these problems before accidents occur and require manufacturers
to address potential problems with these critical devices.
3. Describe whether, and to what extent, the collection of information involves the use of
automated, electronic, mechanical, or other technological collection techniques or other
forms of information technology, e.g., permitting electronic submission of responses, and the
basis for the decision for adopting this means of collection. Also describe any consideration
of using information technology to reduce burden.
For Part 48 training plans, MSHA maintains an electronic system (MSHA Training Plan Advisor)
for operators to prepare and submit training plans through the internet. This is an optional method
for the mining industry to prepare and file required training plans. The design of this system
increases the likelihood that the plan will be complete, with the potential to decrease the
paperwork burden. It is accessed through MSHA's homepage at http://www.msha.gov.
MSHA has developed training scenario templates that a mine operator may use to help prepare a
program of instruction under § 75.1502(a). These templates are available on the MSHA web page
or copies may be obtained from the District Manager.
Although the Agency allows the operator(s) to submit the program of instruction and the Training
Plan Advisor electronically, they are generally mailed to MSHA.
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MSHA has developed an online database system for reporting and maintaining the SCSR
inventory required by § 75.1714-8. MSHA also provides a paper form (MSHA 2000-222) for
mine operators who prefer to submit this information conventionally. About 75% of the forms are
submitted electronically.
4. Describe efforts to identify duplication. Show specifically why any similar information
already available cannot be used or modified for use for the purposes described in Item 2
above.
The information collection concerning training plans and programs of instruction, notification of
accidents, certifications of training and drills, inspection of SCSRs, and reporting SCSR inventory
and SCSR problems required by these emergency mine evacuation regulations are unique to each
mine and not duplicative of any existing MSHA requirements.
5. If the collection of information impacts small businesses or other small entities (Item 5 of
OMB Form 83-I), describe any methods used to minimize burden.
To minimize the administrative burden of these emergency mine evacuation regulations, MSHA
has provided a training plan addendum for the SCSR donning and transferring procedures,
templates for various mine emergency scenarios, and a template checklist for tracking miners’
completion of components of mine emergency evacuation training and drills. MSHA provides an
easily used online database system for reporting and maintaining the SCSR inventory required by
§ 75.1714-8.
6. Describe the consequence to Federal program or policy activities if the collection is not
conducted or is conducted less frequently, as well as any technical or legal obstacles to
reducing burden.
Submission of training plans and programs of instruction and certification that training was done
provides MSHA, operators, and miners with confidence that training is appropriate and was
conducted as necessary, particularly when MSHA is not able to be at the mine. Without adequate
training, miners may sustain serious or even fatal injuries because they lack the knowledge to
properly and safely perform various tasks and activities or evacuate a mine.
If inspections and monitoring of SCSRs did not occur, this could allow unsafe conditions to go
undetected and the SCSRs might not be usable when needed. This would endanger miners’ safety.
If operators were not required to submit an SCSR inventory or to notify MSHA when they
encounter an SCSR defect, performance problem, or malfunction, MSHA would not have the
information needed to notify other mines that may also use the affected SCSRs. This could
endanger miners because operators could continue to rely on deficient SCSRs.
7. Explain any special circumstances that would cause an information collection to be
conducted in a manner:
• requiring respondents to report information to the agency more often than quarterly;
• requiring respondents to prepare a written response to a collection of information in fewer
than 30 days after receipt of it;
• requiring respondents to submit more than an original and two copies of any document;
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• requiring respondents to retain records, other than health, medical, government contract,
grant-in-aid, or tax records for more than three years;
• in connection with a statistical survey, that is not designed to produce valid and reliable
results that can be generalized to the universe of study;
• requiring the use of a statistical data classification that has not been reviewed and
approved by OMB;
• that includes a pledge of confidentiality that is not supported by authority established in
statute or regulation, that is not supported by disclosure and data security policies that are
consistent with the pledge, or which unnecessarily impedes sharing of data with other
agencies for compatible confidential use; or
• requiring respondents to submit proprietary trade secret, or other confidential information
unless the agency can demonstrate that it has instituted procedures to protect the
information's confidentiality to the extent permitted by law.
No provisions require more than quarterly reporting. This collection of information is consistent
with the guidelines in 5 C.F.R. § 1320.5.
8. If applicable, provide a copy and identify the data and page number of publication in the
Federal Register of the agency's notice, required by 5 C.F.R. § 1320.8(d), soliciting
comments on the information collection prior to submission to OMB. Summarize public
comments received in response to that notice and describe actions taken by the agency in
response to these comments. Specifically address comments received on cost and hour
burden.
Describe efforts to consult with persons outside the agency to obtain their views on the
availability of data, frequency of collection, the clarity of instructions and recordkeeping,
disclosure, or reporting format (if any), and on the data elements to be recorded, disclosed,
or reported.
Consultation with representatives of those from whom information is to be obtained or those
who must compile records should occur at least once every 3 years – even if the collection of
information activity is the same as in prior periods. There may be circumstances that may
preclude consultation in a specific situation. These circumstances should be explained.
MSHA published a 60-day preclearance Federal Register notice on December 4, 2009 (Volume
74, Number 232, Pages 63794-63795), soliciting public comments regarding the extension of this
information collection. One comment was received from the United Mine Workers of America
(UMWA). The memorandum included comments on future rulemaking, in addition to supporting
MSHA’s PRA efforts.
9. Explain any decision to provide any payment or gift to respondents, other than
remuneration of contractors or grantees.
MSHA does not provide payments or gifts to the respondents identified in this collection.
10. Describe any assurance of confidentiality provided to respondents and the basis for the
assurance in statute, regulation, or agency policy.
There is no assurance of confidentiality provided to respondents.
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11. Provide additional justification for any questions of a sensitive nature, such as sexual
behavior and attitudes, religious beliefs, and other matters that are commonly considered
private. This justification should include the reasons why the agency considers the questions
necessary, the specific uses to be made of the information, the explanation to be given to
persons from whom the information is requested, and any steps to be taken to obtain their
consent.
There are no questions of a sensitive nature.
12. Provide estimates of the hour burden of the collection of information. The statement
should:
• Indicate the number of respondents, frequency of response, annual hour burden, and an
explanation of how the burden was estimated. Unless directed to do so, agencies should not
conduct special surveys to obtain information on which to base hour burden estimates.
Consultation with a sample (fewer than 10) of potential respondents is desirable. If the hour
burden on respondents is expected to vary widely because of differences in activity, size, or
complexity, show the range of estimated hour burden, and explain the reasons for the
variance. Generally, estimates should not include burden hours for customary and usual
business practices.
• If this request for approval covers more than one form, provide separate hour burden
estimates for each form and aggregate the hour burdens in Item 13 of OMB Form 83-I.
• Provide estimates of annualized cost to respondents for the hour burdens for collections of
information, identifying and using appropriate wage rate categories. The cost of contracting
out or paying outside parties for information collection activities should not be included
here. Instead, this cost should be included in Item 13.
Wages for underground coal mine clerical workers, miners and safety directors are derived from
“InfoMine USA, Inc’s” publication “US Coal Mine Salary Wages and Benefits (2008 Survey
Results).
Section 48.3(p) requires each underground coal mine to submit a training plan to address SCSR
donning and transfer procedures requiring insertion of the mouthpiece. MSHA estimates that to
revise the training plan will take a safety director, who earns approximately $ 76.21 per hour,
approximately 0.75 hours (45 minutes). In addition, a clerical employee, who earns approximately
$ 24.17 per hour, is estimated to take 0.1 hours (6 minutes) to copy and send the revised material.
There are approximately 622 underground coal mines and MSHA estimates that, on average, a
training plan revision will be needed approximately once every two years at each underground
coal mine. This frequency includes new mines.
Hour Burden:
(Revision of Training Plan):
311 (622mines / once every 2 years)
x 0.75 hours/certification

=

233 hours

(Filing of Training Certificate):
311 (622mines / once every 2 years)
x 0.1 hours/certification

=

31 hours

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Subtotal
Hour Burden Cost:
233 hours x $76.21/hour + 31 hours x $24.17/hour

_______________
=
264 hours

=$

18,506

Section 75.1502 requires each underground coal operator to submit a Mine Emergency Evacuation
and Firefighting Program of Instruction to the District Manager of the Coal Mine Safety and
Health district in which the mine is located. MSHA estimates that revisions and new submissions
of this program of instruction will take a safety director, who earns approximately $ 76.21 per
hour, approximately 2.5 hours to complete. MSHA also estimates that it takes 0.1 hours
(6 minutes) for a clerical employee, who earns approximately $ 24.17 per hour, to photocopy and
send a program of instruction to the appropriate MSHA District Manager. There are approximately
622 underground coal mines and MSHA estimates that, on average, a program of instruction
revision or new submission will be needed approximately once every two years at each
underground coal mine. This frequency includes new mines.
Hour Burden:
(Revision of Mine Emergency Evacuation and Firefighting Program of Instruction):
311 (622mines / once every 2 years)
x 2.5 hours/certification
=
778 hours
(Filing of Mine Emergency Evacuation and Firefighting Program of Instruction):
311 (622mines / once every 2 years)
x 0.1 hours/certification
=
31 hours
_______________
Subtotal
=
809 hours
Hour Burden Cost:
778 hours x $76.21/hour + 31 hours x $24.17/hour

=$

60,040

Section 75.1504 Mine Emergency Evacuation Training and Drills paragraph (d) requires the
operator to certify when mine emergency evacuation training or drills are completed. This
certification shall include the names of miners participating in the training or drills, the content of
the drill, the escapeway traveled and the scenario used. MSHA estimates that a safety director,
who earns approximately $ 76.21 per hour, takes approximately 0.0025 hours (9 seconds) to
certify, by signature and date, that each miner received the required training. § 75.1504(a)
requires than a mine emergency evacuation training and drill be conducted once each quarter (4
times per year) for each underground coal miner. In 2008, Part 50 employment data showed
40,370 underground coal miners employed by mine operators and 6,262 underground coal miners
employed by contractors for a total of 46,626 underground coal miners. Each of these underground
coal miners would require 4 certifications per year for the mine emergency evacuation training and
drill. Under § 75.1504(a)(1), MSHA also estimates that such certification will occur 4 times per
year for each foremen traveling escapeways. In 2008, MSHA records show that there were
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approximately 968 active mechanized mining units (MMU) in the nation’s underground coal
mines. Each MMU requires one foreman for each shift that it is operated. MSHA estimates that
each MMU will operate an average of 3 shifts. MSHA also estimates that there will be an average
of one additional foreman for outby or other work associated with each MMU for a total of 4
foremen per MMU. Section § 75.1504(c), requires that each miner participate in expectations
training once a year. This annual expectations training will result in one certification per
underground coal miner per year.
Hour Burden:
(Certification of mine emergency evacuation training and drill):
186,504 (46,626 miners x 4 times per year)
x 0.0025 hours/certification

=

466 hours

(Certification of foremen traveling escapeways):
15,488 (968 MMUs x 4 foremen per MMU x 4 times per year)
x 0.0025 hours/certification

=

39 hours

(Certification of annual expectations training):
46,626 (46,626 miners x 1 times per year)
x 0.0025 hours/certification
Subtotal
Hour Burden Cost:
622 hours x $76.21/hour

=
117 hours
_______________
=
622 hours

=$

47,403

Section 75.1504(d)(4) requires operators to provide a copy of the miner’s training certification to
the miner upon request. MSHA estimates that a clerical employee, earning $24.17 per hour, takes
approximately 0.025 hours (1.5 minutes) to provide the carbonless miners’ copy of the certificate
for each request. MSHA estimates that approximately 25% of miners will request copies of their
training certificates in any given year.
Hour Burden:
(Copies of Training Certificates):
62,155 (248,618 certifications x 25% requests)
x 0.025 hours
Hour Burden Cost:
1,554 hours x $24.17/hour

=

1,554 hours

=$

37,560

Section 75.1505 requires operators to provide an accurate, up-to-date escapeway map at each
working section, areas where mechanized mining equipment is being installed or removed, at
surface locations where miners congregate, and in each refuge alternative. MSHA estimates that a
supervisor, earning $76.21 per hour, takes approximately 0.25 hours (15 minutes) to update an
escapeway map. MSHA estimates that escapeway maps will be updated, on average, on a
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OMB No. 1219-0141
quarterly (every 3 months) basis. MSHA estimates that there will be one master escapeway map
per working section (MMU) that requires updating and copies of this escapeway map will be used
to satisfy the requirements at other locations. These other locations include the one surface
location where miners congregate (one location per mine) and each refuge alternative. MSHA’s
records show that there are 968 active MMUs, 622 mines and 1,168 refuge alternatives for a total
of 2,758 locations where escapeway maps are required. MSHA estimates that a clerical employee,
earning $24.17 per hour, takes approximately 0.1 hours (6 minutes) to make each copy of the
escapeway maps. MSHA expects that any changes in the SCSR storage locations specified in
§ 75.1714-5 will be plotted on the escapeway maps during this quarterly update.
Hour Burden:
(Updating Escapeway Maps)
3,873 (968 MMUs x 4 updates per year per MMU)
x 0.25 hours/map

=

(Copying Escapeway Maps)
11,032 (2,758 Map Locations x 4 copies per year per location)
x 0.1 hours/map
=
Subtotal
Hour Burden Cost:
968 hours x $76.21/hour + 1,103 hours x $24.17/hour

=

968 hours

1,103 hours
2,071 hours

= $ 100,431

Under § 75.1714-3, all SCSRs approved by MSHA and NIOSH must be tested in accordance with
instructions approved by MSHA and NIOSH. All approved SCSRs currently require quarterly
inspection and testing. § 75.1714-3(e) requires the certification of the test results by signature and
date of the person doing the tests. MSHA estimates that a safety director, who earns
approximately $ 76.21 per hour, takes approximately 0.0025 hours (9 seconds) per SCSR to
certify the inspection and testing. The inspections must be done four times per year. MSHA
currently shows 178,880 SCSRs in the SCSR inventory database.
Hour Burden:
(Certification of Quarterly SCSR Inspection and Testing):
715,520 (178,880 SCSRs x 4 times per year)
x 0.0025 hours/certification

=

Hour Burden Cost:
1,789 hours x $76.21/hour

=$

1,789 hours

136,340

Section 75.1714-5 requires the mine operator to indicate the location of all stored SCSRs on the §
75.1200 mine maps and the § 75.1505 escapeway maps. SCSR storage locations in the
escapeways should rarely change and new storage locations will be added only as the escapeways
are developed. MSHA estimates that plotting these new locations will be done as part of the
quarterly update of the escapeway maps (see § 75.1505 and the § 75.1200 mine map updates;

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OMB No. 1219-0141
OMB No. 1219-0073). The burden estimates for these maps include plotting SCSR storage
locations. Therefore, no additional reporting burden is estimated for this section.
Under § 75.1714-8(a), operators must provide MSHA an inventory of all SCSRs at each mine.
For each mine, the inventory must include mine name, MSHA mine ID number, and mine
location. For each SCSR in each mine, the report must include: manufacturer, model type, date of
manufacture, and serial number. The inventory must be sent to MSHA. MSHA has developed a
web-based inventory system that the mine operator may use to comply with this requirement.
MSHA also accepts spreadsheet-based inventories and paper forms (MSHA form 2000-222).
MSHA estimates that it will take a clerical employee, who earns approximately $ 24.17 per hour,
is estimated to take approximately 1 minute (0.1667 hours) to submit an inventory change record
for a single SCSR. SCSRs have an approved service life of 10 to 15 years that varies with the
manufacturer of the SCSR. Most SCSRs will require two inventory change records to be
submitted to MSHA during the life of the SCSR; one in-service record and one out-of-service
record. However, some SCSRs will be moved from one mine to another, particularly for smaller
operations that have a mine life of less than the service life of the SCSRs. MSHA currently has
178,880 SCSRs in the SCSR inventory database. MSHA estimates that approximately 43,000
inventory change records will be submitted per year, on average. MSHA also requires the
reporting of any defect, performance problem or malfunction with the use of an SCSR. In 2008,
MSHA received one reported SCSR problem. Historically, MSHA has received a few reports of
SCSR problems per year. MSHA estimates that, on average, approximately 10 SCSR problems
will be reported per year. MSHA estimates that a safety director, who earns approximately
$ 76.21 per hour, takes approximately one hour to prepare and submit an SCSR problem report.
Hour Burden:
(SCSR Inventory Change Records Submitted):
43,000 (43,000 records per year)
x 0.01667 hours/record

=

(SCSR Problem Reports):
10 (10 reports per year)
x 1.0 hours per report
Subtotal
Hour Burden Cost:
717 hours x $24.17/hour + 10 hours x $76.21/hour

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717 hours

=
10 hours
_______________
=
727 hours
=$

18,092

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A summary of the responses, burden hours and total costs for reporting information under the
emergency evacuation rule is:
Standard

Responses

Hours

48.3

311

264

$

18,506

75.1502

311

809

$

60,040

75.1504

248,618

622

$

47,403

75.1504(d)(4)

62,155

1,554

$

37,560

75.1505

14,905

2,071

$ 100,431

715,520

1,789

$ 136,340

43,010

727

1,084,830

7,836

75.1714-3(e)
75.1714-8
Totals

Cost ($)

$

18,092

$ 418,372

13. Provide an estimate of the total annual cost burden to respondents or record keepers
resulting from the collection of information. (Do not include the cost of any hour burden
shown in Items 12 and 14).
• The cost estimate should be split into two components: (a) a total capital and start-up cost
component (annualized over its expected useful life); and (b) a total operation and
maintenance and purchase of services component. The estimates should take into account
costs associated with generating, maintaining, and disclosing or providing the information.
Include descriptions of methods used to estimate major cost factors including system and
technology acquisition, expected useful life of capital equipment, the discount rate(s), and the
time period over which costs will be incurred. Capital and start-up costs include, among
other items, preparations for collecting information such as purchasing computers and
software; monitoring, sampling, drilling and testing equipment; and record storage facilities.
• If cost estimates are expected to vary widely, agencies should present ranges of cost
burdens and explain the reasons for the variance. The cost of purchasing or contracting out
information collection services should be a part of this cost burden estimate. In developing
cost burden estimates, agencies may consult with a sample of respondents (fewer than 10),
utilize the 60-day pre-OMB submission public comment process and use existing economic
or regulatory impact analysis associated with the rulemaking containing the information
collection, as appropriate.
• Generally, estimates should not include purchases of equipment or services, or portions
thereof, made: (1) prior to October 1, 1995, (2) to achieve regulatory compliance with
requirements not associated with the information collection, (3) for reasons other than to
provide information or keep records for the government, or (4) as part of customary and
usual business or private practices.
Non-hourly burden costs include copying and mailing plans to the District Manager. MSHA
estimates that copying costs approximately $0.15 per page and mailing costs approximately $1.50
per document. These cost estimates are listed in the following table:
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Standard

Documents

Pages

Copying ($)

Mailing ($)

Total ($)

§ 48.3

311

10

$ 467

$ 467

$ 934

§ 75.1502

311

10

$ 467

$ 467

$ 934

§ 75.1505

11,032

Map **

$ 66,192

n/a

$ 66,192

156

10

$ 234

$ 234

$ 468

$ 67,360

$ 1,168

$68,528

§ 75.1714-8 *
Totals

12,276

* MSHA estimates that approximately 25% of mine operators will submit paper
inventory reports rather than using the online database forms.
** MSHA estimates that a copy of an escapeway map costs approximately $ 6.00.
14. Provide estimates of annualized cost to the Federal government. Also, provide a
description of the method used to estimate cost, which should include quantification of
hours, operational expenses (such as equipment, overhead, printing, and support staff), and
any other expense that would not have been incurred without this collection of information.
Agencies also may aggregate cost estimates from Items 12, 13, and 14 in a single table.
Operators will have to update training plans, revise programs of instruction, and prepare and report
an SCSR inventory. MSHA will review revisions with existing personnel, resulting in incremental
Federal Costs associated with this collection of information package.
15. Explain the reasons for any program changes or adjustments reporting in Items 13 or 14
of the OMB Form 83-I.
Previous submission -

Current submission -

Responses: 1,358,376

Responses: 1,084,830

Respondents: 873

Respondents: 622

Hours: 23,920

Hours: 7,836

Cost: $9,751

Cost: $ 68,528

Differences in this submission include the merging of OMB 1219-0044 into this ICR package and
a decrease in the number of respondents (underground coal mines) from 873 in 2006 to 622 in
2009. The small incremental reporting burden for Part 50 was removed form this package because
it is included in the OMB 1219-0007 package. The hour burden certification of each SCSR
examination under § 75.1714-3(e) was decreased significantly from 0.5 hours (30 minutes) to
0.0025 hours (9 seconds), which reflects a more accurate estimate of the time to certify the exam
record.. The cost to produce copies of the escapeway maps required by § 75.1505 was added to
the current ICR package and resulted in a net annual cost increase of $ 58,777.

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16. For collections of information whose results will be published, outline plans for
tabulation, and publication. Address any complex analytical techniques that will be used.
Provide the time schedule for the entire project, including beginning and ending dates of the
collection of information, completion of report, publication dates, and other actions.
MSHA does not intend to publish the results of this information collection. MSHA, however, will
post information about SCSRs on its webpage to assure that operators and miners are informed
about SCSR defects, performance problems, and malfunctions.
17. If seeking approval to not display the expiration date for OMB approval of the
information collection, explain the reasons that display would be inappropriate.
MSHA is not seeking approval to not display the expiration date for OMB approval of this
information collection.
18. Explain each exception to the certification statement identified in Item 19, "Certification
for Paperwork Reduction Act Submission," of OMB 83-I.
There are no certification exceptions identified with this information collection.
B. Collection of Information Employing Statistical Methods
The agency should be prepared to justify its decision not to use statistical methods in any
case where such methods might reduce burden or improve accuracy of results. When
Item 17 on the Form OMB 83-I is checked "Yes", the following documentation should be
included in the Supporting Statement to the extent that it applies to the methods proposed:
1. Describe (including a numerical estimate) the potential respondent universe and any
sampling or other respondent selection methods to be used. Data on the number of entities
(e.g., establishments, State and local government units, households, or persons) in the
universe covered by the collection and in the corresponding sample are to be provided in
tabular form for the universe as a whole and for each of the strata in the proposed sample.
Indicate expected response rates for the collection as a whole. If the collection had been
conducted previously, include the actual response rate achieved during the last collection.
2. Describe the procedures for the collection of information including:
• Statistical methodology for stratification and sample selection,
• Estimation procedure,
• Degree of accuracy needed for the purpose described in the justification,
• Unusual problems requiring specialized sampling procedures, and
• Any use of periodic (less frequently than annual) data collection cycles to reduce burden.
3. Describe methods to maximize response rates and to deal with issues of non-response.
The accuracy and reliability of information collected must be shown to be adequate for
intended uses. For collections based on sampling, a special justification must be provided
for any collection that will not yield "reliable" data that can be generalized to the universe
studied.

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4. Describe any tests of procedures or methods to be undertaken. Testing is encouraged as
an effective means of refining collections of information to minimize burden and improve
utility. Tests must be approved if they call for answers to identical questions from 10 or
more respondents. A proposed test or set of tests may be submitted for approval separately
or in combination with the main collection of information.
5. Provide the name and telephone number of individuals consulted on statistical aspects of
the design and the name of the agency unit, contractor(s), grantee(s), or other person(s) who
will actually collect and/or analyze the information for the agency.
The collection of this information does not employ statistical methods.

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File TitleSUPPORTING STATEMENT
File Modified2010-02-05
File Created2010-02-05

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