30982 Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 127 / Monday, July 2, 2018 / Notices 

working at mine sites. Some contractors 

work exclusively at mining operations, 

others may work a single contract at a 

mine and never return to MSHA 

jurisdiction. MSHA uses the contractor 

information in this information 

collection request during inspections to 

determine the responsibility for 

compliance with safety and health 

standards. 

II. Desired Focus of Comments 

MSHA is soliciting comments 

concerning the proposed information 

collection related to Independent 

Contractor Registration and 

Identification. 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 

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. 

Questions about the information 

collection requirements may be directed 

to the person listed in the FOR FURTHER

INFORMATION CONTACT section of this 

notice. 

III. Current Actions 

This request for collection of 

information contains provisions for 

Independent Contractor Registration 

and Identification. MSHA has updated 

the data with respect to the number of 

respondents, responses, burden hours, 

and burden costs supporting this 

information collection request. 

Type of Review: Extension, without 

change, of a currently approved 

collection. 

Agency: Mine Safety and Health 

Administration. 

OMB Number: 1219–0004. 

Affected Public: Business or other forprofit. 

Number of Respondents: 22,728. 

Frequency: On occasion. 

Number of Responses: 171,607. 

Annual Burden Hours: 18,531 hours. 

Annual Respondent or Recordkeeper 

Cost: $628. 

MSHA Forms: MSHA Form 7000–52, 

Contractor Identification (ID) Request. 

Comments submitted in response to 

this notice will be summarized and 

included in the request for Office of 

Management and Budget approval of the 

information collection request; they will 

also become a matter of public record. 

Sheila McConnell, 

Certifying Officer. 

[FR Doc. 2018–14089 Filed 6–29–18; 8:45 am] 

BILLING CODE 4510–43–P 

DEPARTMENT OF LABOR 

Mine Safety and Health Administration 

[OMB Control No. 1219–0096] 

Proposed Extension of Information 

Collection; Underground Retorts 

AGENCY: Mine Safety and Health 

Administration, Labor. 

ACTION: Request for public comments. 

SUMMARY: 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. Currently, the Mine 

Safety and Health Administration 

(MSHA) is soliciting comments on the 

information collection for Underground 

Retorts. 

DATES: All comments must be received 

on or before August 31, 2018. 

ADDRESSES: Comments concerning the 

information collection requirements of 

this notice may be sent by any of the 

methods listed below. 

• Federal E-Rulemaking Portal: 

http://www.regulations.gov. Follow the 

on-line instructions for submitting 

comments for docket number MSHA– 

2018–0022. 

• Regular Mail: Send comments to 

USDOL–MSHA, Office of Standards, 

Regulations, and Variances, 201 12th 

Street South, Suite 4E401, Arlington, 

VA 22202–5452. 

• Hand Delivery: USDOL-Mine Safety 

and Health Administration, 201 12th 

Street South, Suite 4E401, Arlington, 

VA 22202–5452. Sign in at the 

receptionist’s desk on the 4th floor via 

the East elevator. 

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: 

Sheila McConnell, Director, Office of 

Standards, Regulations, and 

Variances, MSHA, at 

MSHA.information.collections@dol.gov 

(email); (202) 693–9440 (voice); or (202) 

693–9441 (facsimile). 

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

I. Background 

Section 103(h) of the Federal Mine 

Safety and Health Act of 1977 (Mine 

Act), 30 U.S.C. Section 813, authorizes 

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 metal and nonmetal mines. 

Title 30 CFR 57.22401 sets forth the 

safety requirements for using a retort to 

extract oil from shale in underground 

metal and nonmetal I–A and I–B mines 

(those that operate in a combustible ore 

and either liberate methane or have the 

potential to liberate methane based on 

the history of the mine or the geological 

area in which the mine is located). At 

present, this applies only to 

underground oil shale mines. The 

standard requires that prior to ignition 

of underground retorts; mine operators 

must submit a written ignition operation 

plan to the appropriate MSHA District 

Manager which contains site-specific 

safeguards and safety procedures for the 

underground areas of the mine which 

are affected by the retorts. 

II. Desired Focus of Comments 

MSHA is soliciting comments 

concerning the proposed information 

collection related to Underground 

Retorts. MSHA is particularly interested 

in comments that: 

• Evaluate whether the collection of 

information is necessary for the proper 

performance of the functions of the 


daltland on DSKBBV9HB2PROD with NOTICES
Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 127 / Monday, July 2, 2018 / Notices 30983 

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 

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. 

Questions about the information 

collection requirements may be directed 

to the person listed in the FOR FURTHER

INFORMATION CONTACT section of this 

notice. 

III. Current Actions 

This request for collection of 

information contains provisions for 

Underground Retorts. MSHA has 

updated the data with respect to the 

number of respondents, responses, 

burden hours, and burden costs 

supporting this information collection 

request. 

Type of Review: Extension, without 

change, of a currently approved 

collection. 

Agency: Mine Safety and Health 

Administration. 

OMB Number: 1219–0096. 

Affected Public: Business or other forprofit. 

Number of Respondents: 1. 

Frequency: On occasion. 

Number of Responses: 1. 

Annual Burden Hours: 160 hours. 

Annual Respondent or Recordkeeper 

Cost: $0. 

Comments submitted in response to 

this notice will be summarized and 

included in the request for Office of 

Management and Budget approval of the 

information collection request; they will 

also become a matter of public record. 

Sheila McConnell, 

Certifying Officer. 

[FR Doc. 2018–14090 Filed 6–29–18; 8:45 am] 

BILLING CODE 4510–43–P 

DEPARTMENT OF LABOR 

Mine Safety and Health Administration 

[OMB Control No. 1219–0146] 

Proposed Extension of Information 

Collection; Refuge Alternatives for 

Underground Coal Mines 

AGENCY: Mine Safety and Health 

Administration, Labor. 

ACTION: Request for public comments. 

SUMMARY: 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. Currently, the Mine 

Safety and Health Administration 

(MSHA) is soliciting comments on the 

information collection for Refuge 

Alternatives for Underground Coal 

Mines. 

DATES: All comments must be received 

on or before August 31, 2018. 

ADDRESSES: Comments concerning the 

information collection requirements of 

this notice may be sent by any of the 

methods listed below. 

• Federal E-Rulemaking Portal: 

http://www.regulations.gov. Follow the 

on-line instructions for submitting 

comments for docket number MSHA– 

2018–0023. 

• Regular Mail: Send comments to 

USDOL–MSHA, Office of Standards, 

Regulations, and Variances, 201 12th 

Street South, Suite 4E401, Arlington, 

VA 22202–5452. 

• Hand Delivery: USDOL-Mine Safety 

and Health Administration, 201 12th 

Street South, Suite 4E401, Arlington, 

VA 22202–5452. Sign in at the 

receptionist’s desk on the 4th floor via 

the East elevator. 

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: 

Sheila McConnell, Director, Office of 

Standards, Regulations, and 

Variances, MSHA, at 

MSHA.information.collections@dol.gov 

(email); (202) 693–9440 (voice); or (202) 

693–9441 (facsimile). 

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

I. Background 

Section 103(h) of the Federal Mine 

Safety and Health Act of 1977 (Mine 

Act), 30 U.S.C. 813(h), authorizes 

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. 

Each underground coal mine has an 

emergency response plan (ERP) and 

refuge alternatives (RA) that protect 

miners when escape from a mine during 

a mine emergency is not possible by 

providing secure spaces with isolated 

atmospheres that create life-sustaining 

environments. 

Title 30 CFR 75.1506 requires mine 

operators to provide refuge alternatives. 

Section 75.1507 requires the 

development and implementation of 

emergency response plans. It requires 

that the ERP provide detailed 

information about the RAs used in the 

mine. This information assists miners, 

supervisors, emergency responders, and 

MSHA in assuring that all essential 

preparations are made and required 

materials are readily available and in 

working order. A mine operator may 

notify the District Manager and update 

the existing ERP if there is a need to 

locate an RA in a different location than 

the one identified in the ERP for that 

mine (as required by section 

75.1506(c)(2)). 

Section 75.1508 requires the mine 

operator to certify that persons assigned 

to examine, maintain, and repair RAs 

and components are trained for those 

tasks. Training certifications assist 

MSHA in determining that persons 

received the required training. The 

training certification for persons 

assigned to examine RAs is integrated 

into existing requirements for preshift 

examinations of the mine under section 

75.360 (OMB 1219–0088). The training 

certification for persons assigned to 

maintain and repair RAs is included in 

this package under section 75.1508(a). 

Section 75.1508(b) requires a record 

of any maintenance and repair 

performed on an RA. This record assists 

MSHA in identifying design flaws or 

other weaknesses in the refuge 

alternative or its components that could 

adversely impact the safety of miners. 


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