Ventilation Plans, Tests, and Examinations in Underground Coal Mines

ICR 202103-1219-007

OMB: 1219-0088

Federal Form Document

Forms and Documents
Document
Name
Status
Supporting Statement A
2021-10-28
Supplementary Document
2021-10-28
IC Document Collections
ICR Details
1219-0088 202103-1219-007
Received in OIRA 201809-1219-005
DOL/MSHA
Ventilation Plans, Tests, and Examinations in Underground Coal Mines
Extension without change of a currently approved collection   No
Regular 12/02/2021
  Requested Previously Approved
36 Months From Approved 02/28/2022
10,926 1,164,908
115,874 142,550
26,004 91,870

Under Section 101(a) of the Federal Mine Safety and Health Act of 1977 (the Mine Act), the Secretary may by rule in accordance with procedures set forth in this section and in accordance with section 553 of Title 5, United States Code (without regard to any reference in such section to sections 556 and 557 of such title), 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 or other mines. In addition, Section 303 requires that all coal mines be ventilated by mechanical ventilation equipment installed and operated in a manner approved by an authorized representative of the Secretary and such equipment be examined daily and a record be kept of such examination. Underground coal mines usually present harsh and hostile working environments. The ventilation system is the most vital life support system in underground mining and a properly operating ventilation system is essential for maintaining a safe and healthful working environment. Lack of adequate ventilation in underground mines has resulted in fatalities from asphyxiation and explosions. An underground mine is a maze of tunnels that must be adequately ventilated with fresh air to provide a safe environment for miners. Methane is liberated from the strata, and noxious gases and dusts from blasting and other mining activities may be present. The explosive and noxious gases and dusts must be diluted, rendered harmless, and carried to the surface by the ventilating currents. Sufficient air must be provided to maintain the level of respirable dust at or below 2 milligrams per cubic meter of air and air quality must be maintained in accordance with MSHA standards. Mechanical ventilation equipment of sufficient capacity must operate at all times while miners are in the mine. Ground conditions are subject to frequent changes, thus sufficient tests and examinations are necessary to ensure the integrity of the ventilation system and to detect any changes that may require adjustments in the system. Records of tests and examinations are necessary to ensure that the ventilation system is being maintained and that changes which could adversely affect the integrity of the system or the safety of the miners are not occurring. These examination, reporting and recordkeeping requirements of §§ 75.310, 75.312, 75.342, 75.351, 75.360 through 75.364, 75.370, 75.371, and 75.382 also incorporate examinations of other critical aspects of the underground work environment such as roof conditions and electrical equipment which have historically caused numerous fatalities if not properly maintained and operated.

US Code: 30 USC 811 Name of Law: Federal Mine Safety and Health Act of 1977
   US Code: 30 USC 813(h) Name of Law: Federal Mine Safety and Health Act of 1977
  
None

Not associated with rulemaking

  86 FR 38502 07/21/2021
86 FR 67975 11/30/2021
No

1
IC Title Form No. Form Name
Ventilation Plans, Tests and Examinations in Underground Coal Mines

  Total Request 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 10,926 1,164,908 0 0 -1,153,982 0
Annual Time Burden (Hours) 115,874 142,550 0 0 -26,676 0
Annual Cost Burden (Dollars) 26,004 91,870 0 0 -65,866 0
No
No
Due to a reduction in respondents (underground coal mines), responses, burden hours and costs have decreased. Respondents: There is a decrease in the number of respondents from 255 to 153. Responses: There is a decrease in responses from the previously approved 1,164,908 responses to the current total request of 10,926. Hours: There is a decrease from the previously approved 142,550 hours to the current total request of 115,874 hours. Costs: There is a decrease in estimated costs from the previously approved $91,870 to the current total estimate of $26,004.

$128,046
No
    No
    No
No
No
No
No
Nicole Bouchet 202 646-2814 [email protected]

  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:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
    (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.
12/02/2021


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