MSHA regulations at 30 CFR parts 6
through 36 contain application, testing and inspection procedures,
and quality control procedures for the approval of mining equipment
or explosives used in both underground and surface coal, metal, and
nonmetal mines. Except for parts 6 and 7, MSHA conducts most of the
testing and evaluation of products for a fee paid by the applicant;
although some regulations require the manufacturer to pretest the
product. Upon MSHA approval, the manufacturer must ensure that the
product continues to conform to the specifications and design
evaluated and approved by MSHA. In some instances, as part of the
approval process, manufacturers are required to have a quality
control or assurance plan.
There was an increase of 139
burden hours (from 4,302 to 4,441). The increase is due to changes
in the number of estimated applications filed with MSHA by
manufacturers and/or mine operators, but also because it subsumes
burden from two ICRs, 1219-0145, specifically the approval and
testing of flame-resistant conveyor belting, and 1219-0146, the
approval and testing requirements of refuge alternatives. When OMB
approves this package, MSHA will submit change requests to reduce
the corresponding burden of these two packages. There was an
increase of 20 responses (from 734 to 754) and a decrease of 5
respondents (262 to 257). These increases are due to the changes in
the number of applicants and applications being filed. The increase
is also due to the addition of applicants and applications for the
Part 7, Subpart L, Refuge Alternatives program and Part 14 Conveyor
Belt program. Burden costs increased by $1,109,327 (from $1,671,381
to $2,780,708). This increase is related to the following changes:
MSHA's hourly charge to evaluate applications for approval; the
addition of applicants and applications for the Part 7, Subpart L,
Refuge Alternatives program and Part 14 Conveyor Belt program.
Additional time spent on applications due to an increase in the
complexity of evaluating incoming applications. The time spent on
evaluating applications has increased because many experienced
long-time employees have retired and MSHA has had to hire and train
new engineers and technicians to replace them.
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.