1219-0116 60-Day FRN Published 7/24/2023

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Federal Register / Vol. 88, No. 140 / Monday, July 24, 2023 / Notices

electronically at https://
www.justice.gov/enrd/consent-decrees.
Cherie Rogers,
Assistant Section Chief, Environmental
Defense Section, Environment and Natural
Resources Division.
[FR Doc. 2023–15622 Filed 7–21–23; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE P

DEPARTMENT OF LABOR
Mine Safety and Health Administration
[OMB Control No. 1219–0116]

Proposed Extension of Information
Collection; Examinations and Testing
of Electrical Equipment, Including
Examination, Testing, and
Maintenance of High Voltage
Longwalls
Mine Safety and Health
Administration, Labor.
ACTION: Request for public comments.
AGENCY:

The Department of Labor, as
part of its continuing effort to reduce
paperwork and respondent burden,
conducts a pre-clearance consultation
program to provide the general public
and Federal agencies with an
opportunity to comment on proposed
collections of information in accordance
with the Paperwork Reduction Act of
1995. This program helps to ensure that
requested data can be provided in the
desired format, reporting burden (time
and financial resources) is minimized,
collection instruments are clearly
understood, and the impact of collection
requirements on respondents can be
properly assessed. Mine Safety and
Health Administration (MSHA) is
soliciting comments on the information
collection for Examinations and Testing
of Electrical Equipment, Including
Examination, Testing, and Maintenance
of High Voltage Longwalls.
DATES: All comments must be received
on or before September 22, 2023.
ADDRESSES: You may submit comment
as follows. Please note that late,
untimely filed comments will not be
considered.
Electronic Submissions: Submit
electronic comments in the following
way:
• Federal E-Rulemaking Portal:
http://www.regulations.gov. Follow the
on-line instructions for submitting
comments for docket number MSHA–
2023–xxxx.
• Mail/Hand Delivery: DOL–MSHA,
Office of Standards, Regulations, and
Variances, 201 12th Street South, Suite
4E401, Arlington, VA 22202–5452.
Before visiting MSHA in person, call

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SUMMARY:

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202–693–9455 to make an appointment,
in keeping with the Department of
Labor’s COVID–19 policy. Special
health precautions may be required.
• MSHA will post all comments as
well as any attachments, except for
information submitted and marked as
confidential, in the docket at https://
www.regulations.gov.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: S.
Aromie Noe, Director, Office of
Standards, Regulations, and Variances,
MSHA, at
[email protected]
(email); (202) 693–9440 (voice); or (202)
693–9441 (facsimile). This not a toll-free
number.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
I. Background
Section 103(h) of the Federal Mine
Safety and Health Act of 1977 (Mine
Act) (Pub. L. 91–173, as amended by
Pub. L. 95–164), 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 (Secretary) 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 or other mines.
Inadequate maintenance of electric
equipment is a major cause of serious
electrical accidents in the coal mining
industry. It is imperative that mine
operators adopt and follow an effective
maintenance program to ensure that
electric equipment is maintained in a
safe operating condition to prevent
electrocutions, mine fires, and mine
explosions. MSHA regulations require
the mine operator to establish an
electrical maintenance program by
specifying minimum requirements for
the examination, testing, and
maintenance of electric equipment. The
regulations also contain recordkeeping
requirements that help operators in
implementing an effective maintenance
program.
(a) Examinations of Electric Equipment
• Underground Coal Mines
(1) 30 CFR 75.512 requires that all
electric equipment be frequently
examined, tested, and maintained by a
qualified person to assure safe operating
conditions. When a potentially
dangerous condition is found on electric
equipment, such equipment shall be
removed from service until such
condition is corrected and that a record
of such examinations be kept. 30 CFR

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75.512–2 specifies that required
examinations and tests be made at least
weekly.
(2) 30 CFR 75.703–3(d)(11) requires
that all grounding diodes be tested,
examined, and maintained as electric
equipment and records of these
activities be kept in accordance with the
provisions of 30 CFR 75.512.
• Surface Coal Mines and Surface Work
Areas of Underground Coal Mines
(3) 30 CFR 77.502 requires that
electric equipment be frequently
examined, tested, and maintained by a
qualified person to ensure safe operating
conditions. When a potentially
dangerous condition is found on electric
equipment, such equipment shall be
removed from service until such
condition is corrected and that a record
of such examinations be kept. 30 CFR
77.502–2 requires these examinations
and tests at least monthly.
(b) Examinations of High-Voltage
Circuit Breakers
• Underground Coal Mines
(1) 30 CFR 75.800 requires that circuit
breakers protecting high-voltage
circuits, which enter the underground
area of a coal mine, be properly tested
and maintained as prescribed by the
Secretary. Such breakers must be
equipped with devices to provide
protection against under-voltage
grounded phase, short circuit, and
overcurrent. 30 CFR 75.800–3 requires
that such circuit breakers be tested and
examined at least once each month.
Tests must include: (1) Breaking
continuity of the ground check
conductor, where ground check
monitoring is used; and (2) Actuating at
least two (2) of the auxiliary protective
relays. Examination must include visual
observation of all components of the
circuit breaker and its auxiliary devices,
and such repairs or adjustments as are
indicated by such tests and
examinations shall be carried out
immediately. 30 CFR 75.800–4 requires
that a record of the examinations and
tests be made. These records must be
made in a secure book that is not
susceptible to alteration or
electronically in a computer system so
as to be secure and not susceptible to
alteration. These records shall be
retained at a surface location at the mine
for at least one year and shall be made
available to authorized representatives
of the Secretary, the representative of
miners, and other interested persons.
(2) 30 CFR 75.820 requires persons to
lock-out and tag disconnecting devices
when working on circuits and

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Federal Register / Vol. 88, No. 140 / Monday, July 24, 2023 / Notices
equipment associated with high-voltage
longwalls.
(3) 30 CFR 75.821(a) requires testing
and examination of each unit of highvoltage longwall equipment and circuits
to determine that electrical protection,
equipment grounding, permissibility,
cable insulation, and control devices are
being properly maintained to prevent
fire, electrical shock, ignition, or
operational hazards. These tests and
examinations, including the activation
of the ground-fault test circuit, are
required once every seven days. 30 CFR
75.821(b) requires that each ground-wire
monitor and associated circuits be
examined and tested at least once every
30 days. 30 CFR 75.821(d) requires that,
at the completion of examinations and
tests, the person making the
examinations and tests must certify that
they have been conducted. In addition,
a record must be made of any unsafe
condition found and any corrective
action taken. These certifications and
records must be kept at least 1 year.
• Surface Coal Mines and Surface Work
Areas of Underground Coal Mines
(4) 30 CFR 77.800 requires that circuit
breakers protecting high-voltage
portable or mobile equipment be
properly tested and maintained. 30 CFR
77.800–1 requires that such circuit
breakers be tested and examined at least
once each month by a person qualified
as provided in 77.103. Tests must
include: (1) Breaking continuity of the
ground check conductor where ground
check monitoring is used; and (2)
Actuating any of the auxiliary protective
relays. Examination must include visual
observation of all components of the
circuit breaker and its auxiliary devices,
and such repairs or adjustments as are
indicated by such tests and
examinations shall be carried out
immediately. 30 CFR 77.800–2 requires
a record of each test, examination,
repair, or adjustment of all circuit
breakers protecting high-voltage
circuits. Such record must be kept in a
book approved by the Secretary.
(c) Examinations of Low- and MediumVoltage Circuits

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• Underground Coal Mines
(1) 30 CFR 75.900 requires that circuit
breakers protecting low- and mediumvoltage power circuits serving threephase alternating-current equipment be
properly tested and maintained. 30 CFR
75.900–3 requires that such circuit
breakers be tested and examined at least
once each month by a person qualified
as provided in 75.153. 30 CFR 75.900–
4 requires the operator of any coal mine
shall maintain a written record of each

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test, examination, repair, or adjustment
of all circuit breakers protecting lowand medium-voltage circuits serving
three-phase alternating current
equipment used in the mine. Such
record shall be kept in a book approved
by the Secretary.
• Surface Coal Mines and Surface Work
Areas of Underground Coal Mines
(2) 30 CFR 77.900 requires that circuit
breakers protecting low- and mediumvoltage circuits which supply power to
portable or mobile three-phase
alternating-current equipment be
properly tested and maintained. 30 CFR
77.900–1 requires that such circuit
breakers be tested and examined at least
once each month by a person qualified
as provided in 77.103. 30 CFR 77.900–
2 requires that a record of the
examinations and tests be made.
(d) Tests and Calibrations of Automatic
Circuit Interrupting Devices
30 CFR 75.1001–1(b) requires that
automatic circuit interrupting devices
that protect trolley wires and trolley
feeder wires be tested and calibrated at
intervals not to exceed 6 months. An
authorized representative of the
Secretary may require additional testing
or calibration of these devices. 30 CFR
75.1001–1(c) requires that a record of
the tests and calibrations be kept.
II. Desired Focus of Comments
MSHA is soliciting comments
concerning the proposed information
collection related to Examinations and
Testing of Electrical Equipment,
Including Examination, Testing, and
Maintenance of High Voltage Longwalls.
MSHA is particularly interested in
comments that:
• Evaluate whether the collection of
information is necessary for the proper
performance of the functions of the
Agency, including whether the
information has practical utility;
• Evaluate the accuracy of MSHA’s
estimate of the burden of the collection
of information, including the validity of
the methodology and assumptions used;
• Suggest methods to enhance the
quality, utility, and clarity of the
information to be collected; and
• Minimize the burden of the
collection of information on those who
are to respond, including through the
use of appropriate automated,
electronic, mechanical, or other
technological collection techniques or
other forms of information technology,
e.g., permitting electronic submission of
responses.
The information collection request
will be available on http://
www.regulations.gov. MSHA cautions

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the commenter against providing any
information in the submission that
should not be publicly disclosed. Full
comments, including personal
information provided, will be made
available on www.regulations.gov and
www.reginfo.gov.
The public may also examine publicly
available documents at USDOL-Mine
Safety and Health Administration, 201
12th South, Suite 4E401, Arlington, VA
22202–5452. Sign in at the receptionist’s
desk on the 4th floor via the East
elevator. Before visiting MSHA in
person, call 202–693–9455 to make an
appointment, in keeping with the
Department of Labor’s COVID–19
policy. Special health precautions may
be required.
Questions about the information
collection requirements may be directed
to the person listed in the FOR FURTHER
INFORMATION section of this notice.
III. Current Actions
This information collection request
concerns provisions for Examinations
and Testing of Electrical Equipment,
Including Examination, Testing, and
Maintenance of High Voltage Longwalls.
MSHA has updated the data with
respect to the number of respondents,
responses, burden hours, and burden
costs supporting this information
collection request from the previous
information collection request.
Type of Review: Extension, without
change, of a currently approved
collection.
Agency: Mine Safety and Health
Administration.
OMB Number: 1219–0116.
Affected Public: Business or other forprofit.
Number of Annual Respondents: 755.
Number of Annual Responses:
359,146.
Frequency: On occasion.
Annual Burden Hours: 67,313 hours.
Annual Respondent or Recordkeeper
Cost: $0.
Comments submitted in response to
this notice will be summarized in the
request for Office of Management and
Budget approval of the proposed
information collection request; they will
become a matter of public record and
will be available at https://
www.reginfo.gov.
Song-ae Aromie Noe,
Certifying Officer, Mine Safety and Health
Administration.
[FR Doc. 2023–15583 Filed 7–21–23; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4510–43–P

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