Slope and Shaft Sinking Plans, 30 CFR 77.1900 (Pertains to the Surface Work Areas of Underground Coal Mines)

Forms and Documents

Document Name	Status
1219-0019 Sup Statement 2019.docx Supporting Statement A	2020-03-03

IC Document Collections

IC ID	Document Title	Status
14373	Slope and Shaft Sinking Plans	Modified

ICR Details

OMB Control No: 1219-0019	ICR Reference No: 202002-1219-003
Status: Active	Previous ICR Reference No: 201612-1219-003
Agency/Subagency: DOL/MSHA	Agency Tracking No:
Title: Slope and Shaft Sinking Plans, 30 CFR 77.1900 (Pertains to the Surface Work Areas of Underground Coal Mines)
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: 07/14/2020
	Date Received in OIRA: 03/19/2020
Terms of Clearance:

	Inventory as of this Action	Requested	Previously Approved
Expiration Date	07/31/2023	36 Months From Approved	07/31/2020
Responses	91	0	80
Time Burden (Hours)	1,820	0	1,600
Cost Burden (Dollars)	55	0	60

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Abstract: Section 103(h) of the Federal Mine Safety and Health Act of 1977 (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. Title 30 C.F.R. § 77.1900 requires underground coal mine operators to submit for approval a plan that will provide for the safety of workmen in each slope or shaft that is commenced or extended from the surface to the underground coal mine. Each slope or shaft sinking operation is unique in that each operator uses different methods and equipment and encounters different geological strata which make it impossible for a single set of regulations to ensure the safety of the miners under all circumstances. This makes an individual slope or shaft sinking plan necessary. The plan must be consistent with prudent engineering design. Plans include the name and location of the mine; name and address of the mine operator; a description of the construction work and methods to be used in construction of the slope or shaft, and whether all or part of the work will be performed by a contractor; the elevation, depth and dimensions of the slope or shaft; the location and elevation of the coalbed; the general characteristics of the strata through which the slope or shaft will be developed; the type of equipment which the operator proposes to use; the system of ventilation to be used; and safeguards for the prevention of caving during excavation.

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Authorizing Statute(s): US Code: 30 USC 811 Name of Law: Federal Mine Safety & Health Act of 1977
   US Code: 30 USC 813(h) Name of Law: Federal Mine Safety & Health Act of 1977
  

Citations for New Statutory Requirements: None

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

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Federal Register Notices & Comments
60-day Notice:	Federal Register Citation:	Citation Date:
	85 FR 141	01/02/2020
30-day Notice:	Federal Register Citation:	Citation Date:
	85 FR 15501	03/18/2020
Did the Agency receive public comments on this ICR? No

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

IC Title	Form No.	Form Name
Slope and Shaft Sinking Plans

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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	91	80	0	0	11	0
Annual Time Burden (Hours)	1,820	1,600	0	0	220	0
Annual Cost Burden (Dollars)	55	60	0	0	-5	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 an increase in respondents from 27 to 35. The burden hour increase of 220 hours (from 1,600 hours to 1,820 hours) and the associated costs is due to the slight increase in the number of revised plans submitted for the number of shaft and slope projects. This is true even when MSHA records show that there were fewer shafts and slopes under construction during the year FY2018 than 2015. The increase in base and revised plans increased responses from 80 to 91. In addition, most of these plans and revisions are submitted by email, cutting down on mailing costs. There was also a cost burden decrease (from $60 to $55) resulting from the combination of increased responses, increased use of electronic submissions, and updated printing and mailing costs.

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Annual Cost to Federal Government: $77,914

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

Does this ICR request any personally identifiable information (see OMB Circular No. A-130 for an explanation of this term)? Please consult with your agency's privacy program when making this determination.     No

Does this ICR include a form that requires a Privacy Act Statement (see 5 U.S.C. §552a(e)(3))? Please consult with your agency's privacy program when making this determination.     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? No

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Common Form ICR:  No

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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: 03/19/2020

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