20026 Federal Register / Vol. 63, No. 77 /Wednesday, April 22, 1998 /Rules and Regulations

DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Mine Safety and Health Administration

30 CFR Parts 56, 57, and 75

RIN 1219–AB00

Safety Standards for Roof Bolts in

Metal and Nonmetal Mines and

Underground Coal Mines

AGENCY: Mine Safety and Health

Administration (MSHA), Labor.

ACTION: Final rule.

SUMMARY: MSHA is revising its safety

standards for roof and rock bolts at

metal and nonmetal mines and

underground coal mines by updating

the reference to the American Society

for Testing and Materials (ASTM)

standard for roof and rock bolts and

accessories. The new reference reflects

technological advances in the design of

roof and rock bolts and support

materials. It will improve the level of

protection provided by the standards

currently in use.

DATES: The final rule is effective June

22, 1998.

Compliance: Compliance is

mandatory, April 22, 1999.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Patricia W. Silvey, Director; Office of

Standards, Regulations, and Variances,

MSHA; phone: 703–235–1910, fax: 703–

235–5551.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Background

On April 28, 1997 (62 FR 22998),

MSHA published a proposed rule to

revise its safety standards for roof and

rock bolts at metal and nonmetal mines

and underground coal mines by

updating existing §§ 56.3203, 57.3203,

and 75.204 by replacing the references

to the ASTM standard for roof and rock

bolts and accessories. The comment

period was scheduled to close on June

27, 1997. Due to requests from the

mining community, the comment period

was extended to and closed on July 14,

1997.

MSHA participated in the

development of ASTM F432–95 through

active representation at meetings of the

American Mining Congress (predecessor

organization to the National Mining

Association) Roof Support Group. That

committee prepared the revised

document for consideration by ASTM.

The committee was open to all

manufacturers of roof and rock bolts and

accessories, and considered comments

from all participants in developing the

new specifications. MSHA Technical

Support personnel conducted both

laboratory and field studies which

provided supporting data for the various

changes. This rulemaking has been

followed closely by the National Mining

Association, the United Mine Workers

of America, and the United

Steelworkers of America.

MSHA is updating the standards

because the Agency believes that ASTM

F432–95 is more comprehensive than

the references contained in existing

standards, that it reflects advances in

rock and roof bolt technology, and that

it will provide better protection for

miners than the standards currently in

place. As discussed below, these

revisions will not reduce the protection

afforded miners by the MSHA standards

currently in place.

A. Metal and Nonmetal Mines

On October 8, 1986, MSHA published

a final rule (51 FR 36194) revising its

safety standards for ground control at

metal and nonmetal mines. This

rulemaking included comprehensive

rock bolt standards in Title 30 Code of

Federal Regulations (30 CFR) §§ 56/

57.3203 which addressed the quality of

rock fixtures and their installation. Roof

and rock bolts and accessories are an

integral part of ground control systems

and are used to prevent the fall of roof,

face, and ribs. Accidents involving falls

of roof in underground mines or falls of

highwall in surface mines have resulted

in injuries and fatalities.

These standards currently require that

metal and nonmetal mine operators

obtain a certification from the

manufacturer that roof and rock bolts

and accessories are manufactured and

tested in accordance with the 1983

ASTM publication ‘‘Standard

Specification for Roof and Rock Bolts

and Accessories’’ (ASTM F432–83). The

ASTM standard for roof and rock bolts

and accessories is a consensus standard

used throughout the United States. It

contains specifications for the chemical,

mechanical, and dimensional

requirements for roof and rock bolts and

accessories used for ground support

systems.

The manufacturer’s certification is

made available to an authorized

representative of the Secretary to attest

to the appropriate testing and

manufacture of the rock bolts and

accessories. Requiring that the mine

operator obtain a certification from the

manufacturer assures mine operators

that the material they use meets

technical requirements established to

promote safety.

B. Underground Coal Mines

MSHA published a final rule for roof

support in underground coal mines on

February 8, 1990 (55 FR 4592) revising

paragraphs (a) and (b) of § 75.204. This

standard references ASTM publication

‘‘Standard Specification for Roof and

Rock Bolts and Accessories’’ (ASTM

F432–88), which was the most recent

revision available at that time. This

standard also required mine operators to

obtain a certification from the

manufacturer that roof and rock bolts

and accessories are manufactured and

tested in accordance with ASTM F432–

88. To comply with this rule, mine

operators are required to provide the

certification document, upon request, to

an authorized representative of the

Secretary to confirm that their roof and

rock bolts are designed and tested in

accordance with the ASTM standard.

This reference to the ASTM standard

performs the same function as the

reference to the 1983 ASTM standard

for metal and nonmetal mining

application. That is, the certificate

assures mine operators that the material

they use meets technical requirements

established to promote safety.

II. Discussion

In promulgating this final rule, MSHA

has addressed the comments received

during the rulemaking process, and has

developed practical requirements. Both

costs and benefits were also considered.

MSHA has found that the existing

certification requirement has been

successful in maintaining compliance

with requirements for roof and rock

bolts and accessories. MSHA, therefore,

is retaining the certification requirement

and updating existing § 56.3203,

57.3203, and 75.204 by replacing the

references to outdated ASTM F432–83

and ASTM F432–88 with a new

reference to ASTM F432–95.

One commenter suggested that MSHA

revise the paragraphs to state Make the

certification available to an authorized

representative of the Secretary and a

miners’ representative. The commenter

further stated that although it may be

assumed that ‘‘miners’ representatives’’

have a right to the certification

information, no such specified right is

accorded under the rule. Short of such

specified right, miners’ representatives

have had to demand certification

information with threats of section

105(c) complaints against mine

operators.

The Agency intends that the miners’

representatives have access to the

certification statements as stated in the

preamble to the proposed rule (62 FR

22998).

* * * Mine operators currently are

required to obtain a certification statement

that the testing and manufacture of roof and

rock bolts comply with the specified

standard, and to keep a copy of this
Federal Register / Vol. 63, No. 77 /Wednesday, April 22, 1998 /Rules and Regulations 20027

certification statement so that it can be made

available to miners’ representatives and

representatives of the Secretary of Labor (the

Secretary) * * *

In response to the comment,

§§ 56.3203(a)(2), 57.3203(a)(2), and

75.204(a)(2) have been revised to require

the operator to ‘‘make this certification

available to an authorized representative

of the Secretary and the representative

of miners.’’

A. New Products Addressed

ASTM F432–95 covers products not

addressed by the current standards

including grouting materials, large

diameter bolts, thread deformed bars,

and formable anchorage devices.

1. Grouting Materials

Grouting materials, which were not

addressed by either ASTM F432–88 or

ASTM F432–83, are extensively covered

by ASTM F432–95. The term ‘‘grouting

materials’’ is used in ASTM F432–95 to

include any chemical materials (such as

polyester, polyurethane, or epoxy

resins) that are used to anchor mine roof

bolts. While grouted bolts have been

used successfully to support mine roofs

since the 1970’s, each manufacturer has

a different method to describe proper

application of grouting materials and

their performance characteristics. This

lack of standardization has caused

confusion and occasional

misapplication of a particular grout

formulation and, therefore, has resulted

in improperly grouted boreholes.

Improperly grouted boreholes can result

in poor bolt performance and,

potentially, an inadequately supported

roof. A survey of MSHA field personnel

revealed that improper borehole

grouting has been a contributing factor

in roof fall accidents. Under ASTM

F432–95, there are specific requirements

regarding strength, cure rate, cartridge

volume, and labeling that will

standardize the production and

application of grouting materials and

reduce the likelihood that grouted bolts

will be improperly installed.

The majority of commenters were in

support of this provision. However, one

commenter was concerned that

standardization of grout cure rates could

be hazardous. The commenter also

stated that some mines need bolt lengths

ranging from 5 feet to 20 feet and that

flexibility in grout cure rates is vital.

The commenter further suggested that it

is far more important that the operator

be trained to use the materials properly

than to attempt to standardize the

products.

The Agency does not believe that the

standardization of grout cure rates by

ASTM F432–95 will cause a safety

hazard or alter the variety of grouting

materials available to the mining

industry. Rather, it provides a

classification system by which

performance characteristics of current

and future grout formulations can be

grouped and identified, and enables the

user to select the proper formulation for

a particular application. Therefore, the

provision remains as proposed.

2. Large Diameter Bolts

Similarly, large diameter bolts,

ranging in size from 11⁄8 inch to 11⁄2

inch, are now addressed by ASTM

F432–95. MSHA field personnel report

that these large diameter bolts are

growing in popularity and are being

used in areas of adverse roof conditions

where smaller diameter bolts would fail.

ASTM F432–95 provides standard

strength and thread tolerance limits that

ensure minimum performance levels

and the interchangeability of

components produced by different

manufacturers. Compatibility is

essential in ensuring that components

acquired from different sources function

properly when used together, such as

mechanical anchors from one

manufacturer and bolts from another,

and provide an adequate margin of

safety.

The majority of commenters

supported this requirement. One

commenter supported the use of large

diameter bolts, but was concerned that

in-mine tests will still be necessary

because conditions vary from mine to

mine.

The inclusion of large diameter bolts

in ASTM F432–95 does not exempt

those bolts from the plan approval

process; any bolting system must be

approved as suitable for the ground

conditions of a particular mine. It does,

however, ensure that large diameter

bolts meeting those specifications are

compatible with other components

(expansion anchors, nuts, etc.) and will

function properly, essentially removing

that aspect of the evaluation (which is

often time consuming) from the

approval process.

3. Thread Deformed Bars and Formable

Anchorage Devices

Two new technologies, thread

deformed bars and formable anchorage

devices, are also addressed by ASTM

F432–95. These bolting systems were

not in use at the time ASTM F432–83

and ASTM F432–88 were adopted.

Their effectiveness has been

demonstrated at a number of mines,

however, and this has led MSHA to

approve their use in roof control plans.

ASTM F432–95 provides specific

manufacturing, strength, and

identification requirements for these

products to ensure that minimum

performance levels are met and that

reliable products are available to the

mine operator. Updating the roof control

standards which reference the ASTM

specifications covering these systems

will reduce the time required by mine

operators to receive approval to use

these devices in the roof control plan,

and will eliminate the need for

repetitive and time consuming

underground tests.

One commenter was confused as to

whether fixtures and accessories

addressed under ASTM F432–95 will

have to be approved individually under

the roof control plan, or will unilaterally

be approved for inclusion in roof

control plans without submitting each

plan separately. The commenter referred

to the statement in the preamble to the

proposal (62 FR 23000) which noted

that:

Updating the roof control standards which

reference the ASTM specifications covering

these systems would reduce the time

required by mine operators to receive

approval to use these devices in the roof

control plan, and eliminate the need for

repetitive and time consuming underground

tests.

Section 75.220 requires each mine

operator to develop and follow a roof

control plan approved by the District

Manager. If the roof bolts and

accessories are not addressed under

ASTM F432–95, the operator will have

to perform tests to show that they meet

the requirements of 75.204(b). The

inclusion in the roof control plan of a

particular product that meets the

specifications in ASTM F432–95

relieves the mine operator of having to

perform tests to show that these items

meet the requirements of the standard

and, thus, reduce the time involved in

the roof control plan approval process.

Meeting the specifications of ASTM

F432–95 also assures the mine operator

and MSHA that the manufactured

product will function as designed.

B. Additional Safety Benefits

ASTM F432–95 provides a number of

additional safety benefits, including

strength standards for couplers,

tolerances for external and internal

threads, dimensions for hardened

washers, and bolt grading and

identification systems. The Agency did

not receive any comments regarding

these additional safety features.

C. Existing Inventory

This final rule will allow mine

operators to use inventories of roof

support components meeting the design

criteria of ASTM F432–83 and ASTM
20028 Federal Register / Vol. 63, No. 77 /Wednesday, April 22, 1998 /Rules and Regulations

F432–88 for up to 1 year from the

effective date of this rule. After that

year, only roof support components

meeting ASTM F432–95 will be

permitted to be installed. This 1-year

period will not result in a diminution of

safety to miners and will allow mine

operators, including small mines and

seasonal operations, to exhaust existing

supplies of roof support materials on

site. It also will allow miners who use

roof support materials to become

sufficiently trained in the use of roof

bolts and accessories that meet the

requirements of ASTM F432–95. The

Agency is allowing mine operators to

start using components meeting the

ASTM F432–95 standard upon the

effective date of this final rule.

In response to this provision, the

majority of the commenters believed

that 1 year was a sufficient amount of

time to allow operators to exhaust their

inventories. However, one commenter is

concerned that the 1-year time period is

not long enough. The commenter stated

that a better approach would be to

require new production of bolts to meet

ASTM F432–95 by a certain date, then

each mine would achieve compliance

when they replace inventory no matter

what the time frame.

An inventory of roof bolt

manufacturers conducted in April and

May of 1995 indicated that all

manufacturers could consume present

tooling, exhaust products meeting

current specifications, and produce and

make available to mine operators

quantities of roof support materials

meeting ASTM F432–95 within a 6-

month time period. Contact with several

coal mine operators at that time

indicated that an additional 6–12

months would enable them to exhaust

inventories of existing ASTM F432–88

products. While ASTM F432–88

products are quality products, there are

conflicts with ASTM F432–95 that

could cause confusion if not used

within a specified time frame. For

instance, the bolt head identification

markings of F432–95 are substantially

different from those of F432–88 and

F432–83. Long term usage of bolts

covered by both specifications could

lead to the mis-identification of bolt

properties (grade and diameter) and the

inadvertant mis-application of the

bolting system. Similarly, the equivalent

length requirements of F432–95 may

produce resin cartridges with different

volumes than those currently marketed.

In situations where the shelf life would

be extended beyond 1 year, the potential

existence of two cartridge sizes could

result in confusion and improper

borehole grouting. The 1-year time

frame will minimize the period of time

that mine operators must closely

monitor the use of products covered by

two specifications and yet will provide

a reasonable amount of time to exhaust

inventories of F432–83 and F432–88

products.

Another commenter stated that the 1-

year time period puts technology too far

off in the future. The commenter further

stated that MSHA should stipulate

provisions for operators opting to use

the new ASTM standard voluntarily,

i.e., must notify the appropriate District

Manager and can no longer use roof

bolts manufactured under ASTM F432–

83 or ASTM F432–88.

The primary thrust of ASTM F432–95

is the introduction and coverage of

technology not addressed by ASTM

F432–83 and/or ASTM F432–88. The

minimum performance requirements of

previously addressed components

generally remain unchanged. Roof

support components meeting ASTM

F432–83 and ASTM F432–88 are quality

items that have been safely and

effectively used. While MSHA is not

aware of any manufacturer currently

producing roof support components to

the ASTM F432–83 standard

(manufacturers voluntarily adopted the

upgraded ASTM F432–88 standard),

extending the use of products meeting

both ASTM F432–83 and ASTM F432–

88 for up to a year will pose no safety

concern.

For underground coal mines, any

bolting system must be approved by the

District Manager as suitable for the

ground conditions of a particular mine.

Therefore, operators will stipulate in the

roof control plan if the roof and rock

bolts and accessories meet the

specifications of ASTM F432–88 or

ASTM F432–95, or were tested by the

operator and shown to be effective.

Additionally, the final rule states that an

operator may continue to use roof and

rock bolt accessories that meet the

specifications of ASTM F432–88 until 1

year after the effective date of this final

rule.

Underground metal and nonmetal

mine operators are not required to

submit a roof control plan to the MSHA

District Manager. However, the

incorporation of ASTM F432–95 into

§ 56.3203 and 57.3203 will ensure that

roof and rock bolts and accessories will

be of high quality and manufactured to

the same specifications as those used in

underground coal mines.

MSHA also believes that the 1-year

time period gives sufficient time for roof

bolt manufacturers to consume present

tooling, exhaust inventories of products

meeting current specifications, and

produce and make available to mine

operators quantities of roof bolts

meeting the design criteria of ASTM

F432–95. MSHA did not receive any

comments in response to the amount of

time needed to produce roof bolts

meeting the design criteria of ASTM

F432–95.

III. Paperwork Reduction Act

On August 29, 1995, the Office of

Management and Budget (OMB)

published a final rule in the Federal

Register (60 FR 44978) implementing

the new Paperwork Reduction Act of

1995 (PRA 95). Consistent with PRA 95,

these OMB rules expanded the

definition of ‘‘information’’ to clarify

that a ‘‘certification’’ would involve the

collection of ‘‘information’’ if the

Agency used it to monitor compliance.

Mine operators currently are required to

obtain a certification statement that the

testing and manufacture of roof and rock

bolts comply with the specified

standard, and to keep a copy of this

certification statement so that it can be

made available to miners’

representatives and representatives of

the Secretary of Labor (the Secretary).

Although the final rule does not change

this requirement, it is now considered

an information collection burden

because of the expanded definition of

‘‘information’’ under PRA 95. The

burden hours and costs associated with

roof bolt certifications, therefore, do not

reflect any increase for the mining

industry.

One commenter stated that MSHA’s

cost estimates were greatly

underestimated. This commenter

pointed out that the cost estimates were

based on each mine using one roof

support type and one roof support

supplier. Some companies use multiple

types of roof bolts which are distributed

by different suppliers. The burden of

providing a certification could be 3 to 6

times more than MSHA estimates

depending on the geographic location

and geology of the mine. The

commenter further stated that the cost

estimates did not include the cost of

initial filing of documents and quarterly

locating and copying for inspectors.

New testing, identification, and other

manufacturing costs created by the new

ASTM standard will not be absorbed by

the manufacturers; they will be passed

along to mine operators.

A second commenter supported

MSHA’s estimates stating that MSHA

has reasonably and logically established

the burden of hours and costs associated

with roof bolt certifications by close

comparison to that which has been

collected as required under the current

standards.

In response to these comments MSHA

has increased the estimated number of
Federal Register / Vol. 63, No. 77 /Wednesday, April 22, 1998 /Rules and Regulations 20029

times that mine operators would have to

file or retrieve certifications. These

revised estimates reflect the obtaining

and filing of certifications from more

than one manufacturer or supplier and

the retrieval of certifications to show to

an authorized representative during an

inspection.

Description: Sections 56.3203(a)(1),

57.3203(a)(1), and 75.204(a)(1) require

the mine operator to obtain a

manufacturer’s certification that the

material was manufactured and tested

in accordance with the specifications of

ASTM F432–95. Agency experience has

shown that major roof and rock bolt

manufacturers routinely provide a

certification to mine operators at the

time of the initial contract and update

the certification annually. Smaller

manufacturers provide a certification at

the time of initial contract and upon

request from the mine operator. MSHA

estimates that it takes the mine operator

about 3 minutes to obtain a signature

and file the certification form, and that

underground mines use an average of

four different manufacturers or

suppliers and surface mines use two.

Sections 56.3203(a)(2), 57.3203(a)(2),

and 75.204(a)(2) require that the

certification be made available to an

authorized representative of the

Secretary and to a miner’s

representative. MSHA estimates that it

takes about 3 minutes per inspection to

show the certifications to the authorized

representative and the miner’s

representative. Underground mines are

inspected four times per year and

surface mines are inspected twice per

year.

Description of Respondents: The

respondents are mine operators. MSHA

estimates that this provision annually

affects about 233 surface metal and

nonmetal mines; 243 underground

metal and nonmetal mines; and 888

underground coal mines.

Information Collection Burden: The

total estimated annual information

collection burden for surface metal and

nonmetal mines is about 47 hours at an

estimated annual cost of about $1,680.

The total estimated annual information

collection burden for underground

metal and nonmetal mines is about 97

hours at an estimated annual cost of

about $3,500. The total estimated

annual information collection burden

for underground coal mines is about 355

hours at an estimated annual cost of

about $14,920. The burden hours and

costs associated with roof bolt

certifications do not reflect any increase

for the mining industry because mine

operators currently are required to

perform these activities.

The following chart summarizes

MSHA’s estimates by section.

Regulation in 30 CFR Number of respondents

Hours per responseNumber of responses

Number of responses per

respondent

Annual costs Total hours

per regulation

56.3203(a)(1) ............................................ 233 0.05 932 4 $ 1,680 47

57.3203(a)(1) ............................................ 243 0.05 1,944 8 3,500 97

75.204(a)(1) .............................................. 888 0.05 7,104 8 14,920 355

Total ................................................... 1,364 0.05 9,980 ........................ 20,100 499

The information collection

requirements contained in this rule

were submitted to the Office of

Management and Budget (OMB) for

review under the Paperwork Reduction

Act of 1995 and have been approved

under OMB Control Number 1219–0121.

IV. Executive Order 12866 and

Regulatory Flexibility Act

Executive Order 12866 requires that

regulatory agencies assess both the costs

and benefits of regulations. MSHA

estimates that the cost impact of the

final rule is essentially the same as

under the existing rule. The primary

benefit of the final rule is that it

provides for advancements in roof bolt

technology and, therefore, will increase

safety protection for miners. MSHA has

determined that this final rule does not

meet the criteria of a significant

regulatory action and, therefore, has not

prepared a separate analysis of costs and

benefits. The analysis contained in this

preamble meets MSHA’s responsibilities

under Executive Order 12866 and the

Regulatory Flexibility Act.

The Regulatory Flexibility Act (RFA)

requires regulatory agencies to consider

a rule’s impact on small entities. Under

the RFA, MSHA must use the Small

Business Administration (SBA)

definition for a small mine of 500 or

fewer employees or, after consultation

with the SBA Office of Advocacy,

establish an alternative definition for

the mining industry by publishing that

definition in the Federal Register for

notice and comment. MSHA

traditionally has considered small

mines to be those with fewer than 20

employees. For the purposes of the RFA

and this certification, MSHA has

analyzed the impact of the final rule on

all mines, on those with fewer than 20

employees, and on those with fewer

than 500 employees, and has concluded

that the cost impact on the mining

industry is negligible.

Regulatory Flexibility Certification

In accordance with § 605 of the RFA,

MSHA certifies that this final rule will

not have a significant economic impact

on a substantial number of small

entities. No small governmental

jurisdictions or nonprofit organizations

are affected.

Under the Small Business Regulatory

Enforcement Fairness Act (SBREFA)

amendments to the RFA, MSHA must

include in the final rule a factual basis

for this certification. The Agency also

must publish the regulatory flexibility

certification in the Federal Register,

along with its factual basis.

Factual Basis for Certification

MSHA used a qualitative approach in

concluding that the final rule will not

have a significant economic impact on

a substantial number of small entities.

In the preamble to the proposed rule,

MSHA stated that the cost of purchasing

roof and rock bolts and accessories

would not increase significantly as a

result of the requirement that they meet

the new ASTM specification (ASTM

F432–95). Additionally, MSHA stated

that the new ASTM standard

incorporates technological advances

that are currently available and being

used by the mining industry. One

commenter stated that the costs of the

new testing, identification, and other

manufacturing costs created by the new

ASTM standard will not be absorbed by

the manufacturers; it will be passed

along to mines.

In preparing the proposed rule,

MSHA had determined that roof bolt

manufacturers routinely change dies

and other machining parts because of

wear. The Agency concluded that,

because of the 1-year phase in period,

changing dies and other machine parts

to accommodate the new ASTM

specification would not pose an

additional cost on manufacturers.
20030 Federal Register / Vol. 63, No. 77 /Wednesday, April 22, 1998 /Rules and Regulations

The largest cost under the final rule

is due to the increase of resin volume in

cartridges. The result would be that the

resin manufacturer may increase the

cost of resin cartridges to mine operators

comparable to the increased volume of

resin. MSHA believes that any increased

cost to mine operators for resin

cartridges would be offset by this

increased resin volume. MSHA

estimates that the total cost increase, if

passed on to mine operators, would

represent less that one percent of their

cost for roof and rock bolts and

accessories.

V. Unfunded Mandates Act

For purposes of the Unfunded

Mandates Reform Act of 1995, as well

as E.O. 12875, this rule does not include

any Federal mandate that may result in

increased expenditures by State, local,

and tribal governments, or increased

expenditures by the private sector of

more than $100 million.

VI. Executive Order 13045

In accordance with Executive Order

13045, protection of children from

environmental health risks and safety

risks, MSHA has evaluated the

environmental health or safety effects of

the final rule on children. The Agency

has determined that the final rule will

have no effects on children.

List of Subjects

30 CFR Parts 56 and 57

Mine safety and health, Surface

mining, Underground mining.

30 CFR Part 75

Coal, Mine safety and health,

Underground mining.

Dated: April 16, 1998.

J. Davitt McAteer,

Assistant Secretary for Mine Safety and

Health.

For the reasons set out in the

preamble, chapter I of title 30 of the

Code of Federal Regulations is amended

as follows:

PART 56—SAFETY AND HEALTH

STANDARDS—SURFACE METAL AND

NONMETAL MINES

1. The authority citation for part 56

continues to read as follows:

Authority: 30 U.S.C. 811.

2. Section 56.3203 is amended by

revising the introductory text of

paragraph (a), paragraph (a)(1),

paragraph (a)(2), and the introductory

text of paragraph (b) to read as follows:

§ 56.3203 Rock fixtures.

(a) For rock bolts and accessories

addressed in ASTM F432–95, ‘‘Standard

Specification for Roof and Rock Bolts

and Accessories,’’ the mine operator

shall—

(1) Obtain a manufacturer’s

certification that the material was

manufactured and tested in accordance

with the specifications of ASTM F432–

95; and

(2) Make this certification available to

an authorized representative of the

Secretary and to the representative of

miners.

(b) Fixtures and accessories not

addressed in ASTM F432–95 may be

used for ground support provided

they—

* * * * *

PART 57—SAFETY AND HEALTH

STANDARDS—UNDERGROUND

METAL AND NONMETAL MINES

3. The authority citation for part 57

continues to read as follows:

Authority: 30 U.S.C. 811.

4. Section 57.3203 is amended by

revising the introductory text of

paragraph (a), paragraph (a)(1),

paragraph (a)(2), and the introductory

text of paragraph (b) to read as follows:

§ 57.3203 Rock fixtures.

(a) For rock bolts and accessories

addressed in ASTM F432–95, ‘‘Standard

Specification for Roof and Rock Bolts

and Accessories,’’ the mine operator

shall—

(1) Obtain a manufacturer’s

certification that the material was

manufactured and tested in accordance

with the specifications of ASTM F432–

95; and

(2) Make this certification available to

an authorized representative of the

Secretary and to the representative of

miners.

(b) Fixtures and accessories not

addressed in ASTM F432–95 may be

used for ground support provided they’

* * * * *

PART 75—MANDATORY SAFETY

STANDARDS—UNDERGROUND COAL

MINES

5. The authority citation for part 75

continues to read as follows:

Authority: 30 U.S.C. 811.

6. Section 75.204 is amended by

revising the introductory text of

paragraph (a), paragraph (a)(1),

paragraph (a)(2), and the introductory

text of paragraph (b) to read as follows:

§ 75.204 Roof bolting.

(a) For roof bolts and accessories

addressed in ASTM F432–95, ‘‘Standard

Specification for Roof and Rock Bolts

and Accessories,’’ the mine operator

shall—

(1) Obtain a manufacturer’s

certification that the material was

manufactured and tested in accordance

with the specifications of ASTM F432–

95; and

(2) Make this certification available to

an authorized representative of the

Secretary and to the representative of

miners.

(b) Roof bolts and accessories not

addressed in ASTM F432–95 may be

used, provided that the use of such

materials is approved by the District

Manager based on—

* * * * *

[FR Doc. 98–10690 Filed 4–21–98; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 4510–43–P