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

Forms and Documents

Forms and supporting documents for this ICR

Document	Type	Status	Availability
1219-0019 Supporting Statement 2026.docx	Supporting Statement A	Uploaded 2026-03-30	Available
1219-0019 60-Day FRN Published 1-26-2026.pdf	Supplementary Document	Uploaded 2026-03-24	Available
Comment 1_Anonymous.pdf	Public Comments	Uploaded 2026-02-09	Available

IC Document Collections

Information collection document groups

IC ID	Collection	Type	Status	Form
14373	Slope and Shaft Sinking Plans		Modified

ICR Details

OMB Control No: 1219-0019	ICR Reference No: 202507-1219-002
Status: Received in OIRA	Previous ICR Reference No: 202210-1219-001
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	Date Submitted to OIRA: 05/14/2026

table that charts list comparision

	Requested	Previously Approved
Expiration Date	36 Months From Approved	07/31/2026
Responses	50	55
Time Burden (Hours)	1,001	1,100
Cost Burden (Dollars)	30	35

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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 makes 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:
	91 FR 3224	01/26/2026
30-day Notice:	Federal Register Citation:	Citation Date:
	91 FR 27370	05/14/2026
Did the Agency receive public comments on this ICR? No

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

table that charts list of burden

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

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ICR Summary of Burden

table that charts list of burden

	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	50	55	0	0	-5	0
Annual Time Burden (Hours)	1,001	1,100	0	0	-99	0
Annual Cost Burden (Dollars)	30	35	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: Number of Respondents: The estimated number of respondents decreased from 24 to 20 due to a decrease in the number of underground coal mines with slopes and shafts. Number of Responses: The estimated number of responses decreased from 55 to 50 due to a decrease in the number of respondents. Annual Time Burden: The estimated annual time burden decreased from 1,100 hours to 1,001 due to a decrease in the number of responses. Annual Respondent or Recordkeeper Costs: The estimated annual other burden cost decreased from $35 to $30 due to a decrease in the number of mailed plans.

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Annual Cost to Federal Government: $59,895

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: 05/14/2026

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