1219-0082 Sup Statement 10-2021

OMB Control Number: 1219-0082

Records of Preshift and Onshift Inspections

OMB Expiration Date: 6-30-2022

Supporting Statement

Information Collection Title: Records of Preshift and Onshift Inspections of Slope and Shaft Areas at Coal Mines

Collection Instrument(s): None

OMB 30 CFR

CONTROL Section CFR Title

1219-0082 Section 77.1901 Preshift and onshift inspections; reports.

This Information Collection Request (ICR) seeks to extend, without change, a currently approved information collection.

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.

The sinking of slopes and shafts is a particularly hazardous operation where conditions change drastically in short periods of time. Explosive methane and other harmful gases can be expected to infiltrate the work environment at any time. The working environment is typically a confined area in close proximity to moving equipment. Accordingly, 30 CFR 77.1901 requires operators to examine slope and shaft areas for hazardous conditions, including tests for methane and oxygen deficiency, within 90 minutes before each shift, once during each shift when employees are inside any slope or shaft during development, and before and after blasting. The surface area surrounding each slope and shaft is also required to be inspected for hazards.

The standard also requires that a record be kept of the results of the inspections. The record includes a description of any hazardous condition found and the corrective action taken to abate it. The record is necessary to ensure that the inspections and tests are conducted in a timely fashion and that corrective action is taken when hazardous conditions are identified, thereby ensuring a safe working environment for the slope and shaft sinking employees. The record is maintained at the mine site for the duration of the operation.

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.

The records are used by slope and shaft supervisors and employees, State mine inspectors, and Federal mine inspectors. The records show that the examinations and tests were conducted and give insight into the hazardous conditions that have been encountered and hazardous conditions that may be encountered. The records of inspections greatly assist those who use them in making decisions that will ultimately affect the safety and health of slope and shaft sinking employees.

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. However, in order to comply with the Government Paperwork Elimination Act, and 30 CFR 77.1901(f), mine operators may record the results of preshift and onshift inspections of slope and shaft areas 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.

Generally, this information exists only as a result of the Federal requirement. Some States have a similar requirement; however, many do not. A nationwide requirement, therefore, remains a necessity. Where States do require the same records, those records would satisfy MSHA requirements.

5. If the collection of information impacts small businesses or other small entities, describe any methods used to minimize burden.

This information collection 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.

A reduction in the frequency of inspections and tests could allow unsafe conditions to develop, jeopardizing the safety of the slope and shaft sinking employees. Section 101(a)(9) of the Mine Act prohibits any regulatory action that would reduce the protection afforded miners by an existing standard.

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.

The collection of this 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 December 10, 2021 (86 FR 70536). 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 payments or gifts to respondents.

10. Describe any assurance of confidentiality provided to respondents and the basis for the assurance in statute, regulation, or agency policy.

No assurance of confidentiality is provided.

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 from whom the information is requested, and any steps to be taken to obtain their consent.

There are 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.

All information related to quantities and inspection rates are estimated by MSHA’s Headquarters Enforcement Division based on field experience with different types of mining operations, sizes of mines, and the frequency of inspections dictated by statute. Mine operators provide MSHA Headquarters Enforcement Division the number of mines and employment, and from this information MSHA Headquarters Enforcement Division tracks the number of active and inactive mines and mine types throughout the United States. According to MSHA Headquarters Enforcement Division, the number of respondents is as follows.

MSHA's Enforcement Division’s records show that there are about 15 slope and shaft sinking operations ongoing on coal mine properties at any given time during the year. The average coal mine works 220 days per year and 2 shifts per day. Inspections are conducted prior to and during each shift and before and after blasting which, when combined, take an average of 1 hour per shift to conduct and 15 minutes per shift to record. All wages used are fully loaded.

MSHA used data from the May 2020 Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) published by the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) for hourly wage rates¹ and adjusted the rates for benefits² and wage inflation³.MSHA estimates that the 2021 hourly wage rate for supervisory/professional/ technical employees⁴ at slope and shaft sinking operations at underground coal mines to be $55.33 per hour, and $31.00 per hour for clerical⁵.

Estimated Annualized Respondent Cost and Hour Burden

Activity	No. of Respon-ndents	No. of Respon-ses per Respon-dent	Total Responses	Average Burden per Response (Hours)	Total Burden (Hours)	Hourly Wage Rate	Monetized Value of Time
Slope and shaft sinking operations (Inspections)	15	440	6,600	1.00	6,600.00	$55.33	$365,178.00
Slope and shaft sinking operations (Recordkeeping)	15	440	6,600	0.25	1,650.00	$31.00	$51,150.00
TOTAL	15*		6,600*		8,250 (rounded)		$416,328 (rounded)

*= Not cumulative. Recordkeeping for inspection is counted as part of the same response.

13. Provide an estimate for the total annual cost burden to respondents or recordkeepers 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.

MSHA does not anticipate that shaft and slope sinking operators will incur any costs other than those described in Item 12.

14. Provide estimates of annualized costs 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 may also aggregate cost estimates from Items 12, 13, and 14 in a single table.

Because the review of records of preshift and onshift inspections of slope and shaft areas is just one aspect of the inspections required under section 103(a) of the Mine Act, MSHA believes that this burden is minimal and has assigned no federal cost burden for this specific information collection.

15. Explain the reasons for any program changes or adjustments.

There has been a decrease in respondents which has in turn resulted in a decrease in responses and hours.

Respondents: Decreased from 19 to 15, primarily due to the closing of coal mines.

Responses: Decreased from 8,360 to 6,600, primarily due to the decline in respondents.

Hours: Decreased from 10,450 to 8,250, primarily due to the decline in respondents.

Cost: Remained at $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 has no plans to publish the information obtained through 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.

There are no certification exceptions identified with this information collection.

B. Collection of Information Employing Statistical Methods

The collection of this information does not employ statistical methods.

1 Options for obtaining OEWS data are available at item “E3. How to get OEWS data. What are the different ways to obtain OEWS estimates from this website?” at https://www.bls.gov/oes/oes_ques.htm.

2 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 2020Q2-2021Qtr1 to determine that 33.05 percent of total loaded wages are benefits. MSHA computes the scaling factor with a number of detailed calculations but it may be approximated with the formula and values 1 + (benefit percentage/(1-benefit percentage)) = 1+(.3305/(1-.3305)) =1.49.

3 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://beta.bls.gov/dataQuery/find?fq=survey:[ci]&s=popularity:D&q=CIS2020000405000I); Qtr 1 2021/Qtr 2 2020; 142.3/139.3 =1.022)

4 Supervisor Wage is the employment weighted average for 4 Standard Occupational Classification Codes (SOC) for 4 separate occupational groups from the BLS May 2020 OEWS data for NAICS 212200 - Metal Ore Mining and NAICS 212300 - Nonmetallic Mineral Mining and Quarrying. Weighted average rate $55.33=$36.34 x 1.49 benefit adjustment x 1.022 inflation adjustment.

5 Clerical wage rate age is the employment weighted average for 5 Standard Occupational Classification Codes (SOC) for 4 separate occupational groups from the BLS May 2020 OEWS data for NAICS 212200 - Metal Ore Mining and NAICS 212300 - Nonmetallic Mineral Mining and Quarrying. Weighted average rate $31.00=$20.35 x 1.49 x 1.022.

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