OMB# 1219-0097
Rock Burst Control Plan
6/2017
SUPPORTING STATEMENT
OMB No.: 1219-0097
Information Collection Request Title: Rock Burst Control Plan, (Pertains to
Underground Metal/Nonmetal Mines)
CFR Citation(s): 30 CFR 57.3461
Collection Instrument(s): None
General Instructions
A Supporting Statement, including the text of the notice to the public required by 5 CFR 1320.5(a)(i)(iv) and its actual or estimated date of publication in the Federal Register, must accompany each request for approval of a collection of information. The Supporting Statement must be prepared in the format described below, and must contain the information specified in Section A below. If an item is not applicable, provide a brief explanation. When the question “Does this ICR contain surveys, censuses or employ statistical methods” is checked "Yes", Section B of the Supporting Statement must be completed. OMB reserves the right to require the submission of additional information with respect to any request for approval.
Specific Instructions
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.
Section 103(h) of the Federal Mine Safety and Health Act of 1977 (Mine Act), 30 U.S.C. 813(h), authorizes the Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) to collect information necessary to carry out its duty in protecting the safety and health of miners. Further, section 101(a) of the Mine Act, 30 U.S.C. 811, authorizes the Secretary of Labor to develop, promulgate, and revise as may be appropriate, improved mandatory health or safety standards for the protection of life and prevention of injuries in coal and metal and nonmetal mines.
Title 30 CFR 57.3461 requires operators of underground metal and nonmetal mines to develop and implement a rock burst control plan within 90 days after a rock burst has been experienced. Plans are required to include: mining and operating procedures designed to reduce the occurrence of rock bursts; monitoring procedures where detection methods are used; and other measures to minimize exposure of persons to areas prone to rock bursts. Plans are also required to be updated as conditions warrant and are to be made available to MSHA inspectors and to miners or their representatives. The standard does not require that all underground metal and nonmetal mines develop these preventative measures, but it does require that all mines with a rock burst history develop and implement a rock burst control plan.
When rock bursts occur in an underground mine, they pose a serious threat to the safety of miners in the area affected by the burst. These bursts may reasonably be expected to result in the entrapment of miners, death, and serious physical harm. Recent mining technology has disclosed scientific methods of monitoring rock stresses which will allow for the prediction of an oncoming burst. These predictions can be used by the mine operator to move miners to safer locations and to establish areas which need relief drilling.
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.
MSHA uses the information to inform mine operators who may need to address similar hazards and to determine compliance with the standard. The mine operator uses the information for work area assignments to assure miner safety and to schedule correction work. The miner must know what is required of him or her in the event of a recorded rock stress.
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.
No improved information technology has been identified that would reduce the burden. Mine operators may develop rock burst control plans and retain the records in whatever method they choose, which may include utilizing computer technology.
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.
No similar or duplicate information exists that could be used. Information gathered is mine specific and is not duplicated anywhere.
5. If the collection of information impacts small businesses or other small entities describe any methods used to minimize burden.
This information does not have a significant impact on small businesses or other small entities.
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.
This information collection is necessary to enforce the standard designed to reduce the risks to miner safety associated with rock bursts. Rock burst control plans need to only be developed once and then updated or altered as mine conditions and control technologies change.
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;
* 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 secrets, 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.
This collection of information is consistent with the guidelines in 5 CFR 1320.5.
8. If applicable, provide a copy and identify the date and page number of publication in the Federal Register of the agency's notice, required by 5 CFR 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 Federal Register notice on April 12, 2017 (82 FR 17694). MSHA received no public comments.
9. Explain any decision to provide any payment or gift to respondents, other than remuneration of contractors or grantees.
MSHA does not provide payment or gifts to the respondents.
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.
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 form whom the information is requested, and any steps to be taken to obtain their consent.
The requirements contain 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.
* 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 under Item 13.
The annual burden for this standard consists of developing new rock burst control plans and sporadic updates of existing plans. MSHA is not including the burden for reporting certain rock bursts to the nearest MSHA office because that burden is already accounted for in OMB No. 1219-0007 for 30 CFR 50.10. Staff specialists estimate that in a typical year one, operating metal or nonmetal mine will experience rock bursts and will need to either update or develop a new rock burst control plan. MSHA estimates the average time expended on plan development and updates to be 12 hours. The estimated burden hours are as follows:
Respondents: 1
Record Keeping Burden Hours: 1 mine x 12 hours = 12 burden hours
A mine supervisor earning $60.26 per hour usually makes plan developments and revisions. The wage for estimating hour burden cost is from Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), Occupational Employment Statistics (OES) May 2015 survey1 increased by 1.039 for wage inflation2 since the May 2015 survey and a 1.48 benefit-scaling factor3 to obtain fully the loaded wage rate of $60.23 ($39.19 x 1.039 x 1.48). MSHA estimates the burden cost as follows:
Record Keeping Burden Hour Cost: 12 hours x $60.26 per hour = $723
13. Provide an estimate for 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 already reflected on the burden worksheet).
* 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 collections 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.
Because the mine operator maintains the records, there are no additional costs associated with this burden other than those described above.
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.
MSHA enforcement personnel examine the records during routine inspections. There is minimal cost to the Federal Government as MSHA enforcement personnel review these records during the course of those inspections.
15. Explain the reasons for any program changes or adjustments reported on the burden worksheet.
The number of respondents and responses have decreased from 2 to 1 which decreased the burden hours from 24 to 12. The costs to respondents remain 0.
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.
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 associates no forms with this collection.
18. Explain each exception to the topics of the certification statement identified in "Certification for Paperwork Reduction Act Submissions."
There are no certification exceptions identified with this information collection.
B. Collection of Information Employing Statistical Methods
This collection of information does not employ statistical methods.
1 Options for obtaining OES data are available at item “E3. How to get OES data. What are the different ways to obtain OES estimates from this website?” at https://www.bls.gov/oes/oes_ques.htm. MSHA used the 75th percentile hourly wage of $39.19 from OES May 2015 survey, Standard Occupational Classification (SOC) code 47-1011, First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers (NAICS codes 212200, Metal Ore Mining, and 212300, Nonmetallic Mineral Mining and Quarrying) weighted by employment.
2 Wage inflation is the change in Series ID: CIS2020000405000I; Seasonally adjusted; Series Title: Wages and salaries for Private industry workers in Construction, extraction, farming, fishing, and forestry occupations, Index. (https://data.bls.gov/cgi-bin/srgate; Qtr 4 2016/Qtr 2 2015 = 126.7/122.0 = 1.039).
3 The benefit-scaler comes from BLS Employer Costs for Employee Compensation access by menu http://www.bls.gov/data/ or directly with http://download.bls.gov/pub/time.series/cm/cm.data.0.Current. The data series CMU2030000405000P, Private Industry Total benefits for Construction, extraction, farming, fishing, and forestry occupations, is divided by 100 to convert to a decimal value. MSHA used the latest 4-quarter moving average 2015Qtr3-2016Qtr2 to determine that 32.65 percent of total loaded wages are benefits. The scaling factor may be approximated with the formula and values 1 + (benefit percentage/(1-benefit percentage)) = 1+( .3265/(1-.3265)) = 1.48.
| File Type | application/msword |
| Author | ferraro-debbie |
| Last Modified By | Bouchet, Nicole - MSHA |
| File Modified | 2017-06-14 |
| File Created | 2017-03-06 |