Section 103(h) of the Mine Act, 30 U.S.C. 813, authorizes MSHA to collect information necessary to carry out its duty in protecting the safety and health of miners. It has long been known that inadequate maintenance of electric equipment is a major cause of serious electrical accidents in the coal mining industry. MSHA regulations require the mine operator to establish an electrical maintenance program by specifying minimum requirements for the examination, testing, and maintenance of electric equipment. The regulations also contain recordkeeping requirements that help operators in implementing an effective maintenance program. This ICR requires coal mine operators to frequently exam, test, and properly maintain all electrical equipment and high voltage longwall mining systems and to keep records of the examinations and tests.
There is a decrease of 1,382 responses (from 707,678 to 706,296) and a decrease of 632,452 burden hours (from 760,553 to 128,101) due to fewer mining operations over the last 3 year period, and from a re-evaluation of the time needed to respond to the information collection requirements. Prior burden estimates included the time to perform the substantive examination work. The current estimates are based solely on the time needed to respond to the information collection.
On behalf of this Federal agency, I certify that the collection of information encompassed by this request complies with 5 CFR 1320.9 and the related provisions of 5 CFR 1320.8(b)(3).
The following is a summary of the topics, regarding the proposed collection of information, that the certification covers:
(i) Why the information is being collected;
(ii) Use of information;
(iii) Burden estimate;
(iv) Nature of response (voluntary, required for a benefit, or mandatory);
(v) Nature and extent of confidentiality; and
(vi) Need to display currently valid OMB control number;
If you are unable to certify compliance with any of these provisions, identify the item by leaving the box unchecked and explain the reason in the Supporting Statement.