Notification of Methane Detected in Underground Metal and Nonmetal Mine Atmospheres

Forms and Documents

Document Name	Status
1219-0103_final_SS 8-8-12.doc Supporting Statement A	2012-08-08
PAPERWORK FR.pdf Supplementary Document	2012-04-18

IC Document Collections

IC ID	Document Title	Status
14481	Notification of Methane Detected in Underground Metal and Nonmetal Mine Atmospheres	Modified

ICR Details

OMB Control No: 1219-0103	ICR Reference No: 201204-1219-003
Status: Historical Active	Previous ICR Reference No: 200905-1219-002
Agency/Subagency: DOL/MSHA	Agency Tracking No:
Title: Notification of Methane Detected in Underground Metal and Nonmetal Mine Atmospheres
Type of Information Collection: Extension without change of a currently approved collection	Common Form ICR:  No
Type of Review Request: Regular
OIRA Conclusion Action: Approved without change	Conclusion Date: 09/10/2012
	Date Received in OIRA: 08/08/2012
Terms of Clearance:

	Inventory as of this Action	Requested	Previously Approved
Expiration Date	09/30/2015	36 Months From Approved	09/30/2012
Responses	319	0	425
Time Burden (Hours)	27	0	36
Cost Burden (Dollars)	0	0	0

---

Abstract: Title 30 CFR 57.22004(c) requires operators of underground M/NM mines to notify the Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) as soon as possible if any of the following events occur: (a) there is an outburst that results in 0.25 percent or more methane in the mine atmosphere, (b) there is a blowout that results in 0.25 percent or more methane in the mine atmosphere, (c) there is an ignition of methane, or (d) air sample results indicate 0.25 percent or more methane in the mine atmosphere of a I-B, I-C, II-B, V-B, or Category VI mine. Under §§ 57.22239 and 57.22231, if methane reaches 2.0 percent in a Category IV mine or if methane reaches 0.25 percent in the mine atmosphere of a Subcategory I-B, II-B, V-B, or VI mine, MSHA shall be notified immediately. Although the standards do not specify how MSHA is to be notified, MSHA anticipates that the notifications would be made by telephone. Title 30 CFR 57.22229 and 57.22230 require that the mine atmosphere be tested for methane and/or carbon dioxide at least once every seven days by a competent person or atmospheric monitoring system or a combination of both. Section 57.2229 applies to underground M/NM mines categorized as I-A, III, and V-A mines where the atmosphere is tested for both methane and carbon dioxide. Section 57.22230 applies to underground M/NM mines categorized as II-A mines where the atmosphere is tested for methane. Where examinations disclose hazardous conditions, affected miners must be informed. Title 30 CFR 57.22229(d) and 57.22230(c) require that the person performing the tests certify by signature and date that the tests have been conducted. Certifications of examinations shall be kept for at least one year and made available to authorized representatives of the Secretary of Labor.

---

Authorizing Statute(s): PL: Pub.L. 91 - 173 103(i) Name of Law: Federal Mine Safety & Health Act of 1977
  

Citations for New Statutory Requirements: None

---

Associated Rulemaking Information
RIN:	Stage of Rulemaking:	Federal Register Citation:	Date:
	Not associated with rulemaking

---

Federal Register Notices & Comments
60-day Notice:	Federal Register Citation:	Citation Date:
	77 FR 23291	04/18/2012
30-day Notice:	Federal Register Citation:	Citation Date:
	77 FR 47438	08/08/2012
Did the Agency receive public comments on this ICR? No

---

Number of Information Collection (IC) in this ICR: 1

IC Title	Form No.	Form Name
Notification of Methane Detected in Underground Metal and Nonmetal Mine Atmospheres

---

ICR Summary of Burden

	Total Approved	Previously Approved	Change Due to New Statute	Change Due to Agency Discretion	Change Due to Adjustment in Estimate	Change Due to Potential Violation of the PRA
Annual Number of Responses	319	425	0	0	-106	0
Annual Time Burden (Hours)	27	36	0	0	-9	0
Annual Cost Burden (Dollars)	0	0	0	0	0	0

Burden increases because of Program Change due to Agency Discretion: No

Burden Increase Due to:

Burden decreases because of Program Change due to Agency Discretion: No

Burden Reduction Due to:

Short Statement: There was a decrease in respondents because two of the affected mines have closed. The decrease in responses and burden hours is due to the reduction in number of respondents. Respondents: Decrease of 2 (from 8 to 6) Responses: Decrease of 106 (from 425 to 319) Burden Hours: Decrease of 9 (from 36 to 27) Cost Burden: No Change (from $0 to $0)

---

Annual Cost to Federal Government: $616

Does this IC contain surveys, censuses, or employ statistical methods? No

Is the Supporting Statement intended to be a Privacy Impact Assessment required by the E-Government Act of 2002? No

Is this ICR related to the Affordable Care Act [Pub. L. 111-148 & 111-152]? No

Is this ICR related to the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act, [Pub. L. 111-203]? No

Is this ICR related to the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA)? No

Is this ICR related to the Pandemic Response? Uncollected

---

Common Form ICR:  No

---

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:

(a) It is necessary for the proper performance of agency functions;

(b) It avoids unnecessary duplication;

(c) It reduces burden on small entities;

(d) It uses plain, coherent, and unambiguous language that is understandable to respondents;

(e) Its implementation will be consistent and compatible with current reporting and recordkeeping practices;

(f) It indicates the retention periods for recordkeeping requirements;

(g) It informs respondents of the information called for under 5 CFR 1320.8 (b)(3) about:

(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;

(h) It was developed by an office that has planned and allocated resources for the efficient and effective management and use of the information to be collected.

(i) It uses effective and efficient statistical survey methodology (if applicable); and

(j) It makes appropriate use of information technology.

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.

Certification Date: 08/08/2012

---