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[Federal Register Volume 74, Number 47 (Thursday, March 12, 2009)]
[Notices]
[Pages 10779-10780]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E9-5289]

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DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Mine Safety and Health Administration

Proposed Information Collection Request; Submitted for Public 
Comment and Recommendations; Roof Control Plan

ACTION: Notice.

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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 and/or continuing 
collections of information in accordance with the Paperwork Reduction 
Act of 1995 (PRA95) [44 U.S.C. 3506(c)(2)(A)]. The 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 concerning the extension of the information 
collection related to the 30 CFR

75.215--Longwall mining systems;
75.220--Roof control plan;
75.221--Roof control plan information;
75.222--Roof control plan-approval criteria; and
75.223--Evaluation and revision of roof control plan.

DATES: Interested parties should submit comments on or before May 11, 
2009.

ADDRESSES: Send comments to, Debbie Ferraro, Management Services 
Division, 1100 Wilson Boulevard, Room 2141, Arlington, VA 22209-3939. 
Commenters are encouraged to send their comments on computer disk, or 
via e-mail to [email protected]. Ms. Ferraro can be reached at 
(202) 693-9821 (voice), or (202) 693-9801 (facsimile). Because of 
potential delays in receipt and processing of mail, respondents are 
strongly encouraged to submit comments electronically to ensure timely 
receipt. We cannot guarantee that comments mailed will be received 
before the comment closing date.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Contact the employee listed in the 
ADDRESSES section of this notice.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Background

    Section 302(a) of the Federal Mine Safety and Health Act of 1977 
(Mine Act), 30 U.S.C. 846, requires that a roof control plan and 
revisions thereof suitable to the roof conditions and mining system of 
each coal mine be first approved by the Secretary of Labor (Secretary) 
before implementation by the operator. The plan must show the type of 
support and spacing approved by the Secretary, and the plan must be 
reviewed at least every 6 months by the Secretary.
    Under 30 CFR 75.221, the information required to be submitted and 
approved in the roof control plan includes the following: (1) The name 
and address of the company; (2) the name, address, mine identification 
number, and location of the mine; (3) the name and title of the company 
official responsible for the plan; (4) a description of the mine 
strata; (5) a description and drawings of the sequence of installation 
and spacing of supports for each method of mining used; (6) the maximum 
distance that an ATRS system is to be set beyond the last row of 
permanent support (if appropriate); (7) specifications and installation 
procedures for liners or arches (if appropriate); (8) drawings 
indicating the planned width of openings, size of pillars, method of 
pillar recovery, and the sequence of mining pillars; (9) a list of all 
support materials required to be used in the roof, face and rib control 
system; (10) the intervals at which test holes will be drilled (if 
appropriate); and (11) a description of the methods to be used for the 
protection of persons. Under 30 CFR 75.215, the roof control plan for 
each longwall mining section is required to specify the methods that 
will be used to maintain a safe travelway out of the section through 
the tailgate side of the longwall and the procedures that will be 
followed if a ground failure prevents travel out of the section through 
the tailgate side of the longwall.

II. Desired Focus of Comments

    Currently, the Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) is 
soliciting comments concerning the proposed extension of the 
information collection requirement related to Roof Control Plans. MSHA 
is particularly interested in comments that:
     Evaluate whether the proposed collection of information is 
necessary for the proper performance of MSHA's functions, including 
whether the information has practical utility;
     Evaluate the accuracy of MSHA's estimate of the burden of 
the proposed 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
     Address the use of appropriate automated, electronic, 
mechanical, or other technological collection techniques or other forms 
of information technology, (e.g., permitting electronic submissions of 
responses) to minimize the burden of the collection of information on 
those who are to respond.
    A copy of the proposed information collection request can be 
obtained by contacting the employee listed in the ADDRESSES section of 
this notice or viewed on the Internet by accessing the MSHA home page 
(http://www.msha.gov/) and selecting ``Rules & Regs'', and then 
selecting ``FedReg. Docs''. On the next screen, select ``Paperwork 
Reduction Act Supporting Statement'' to view documents supporting the 
Federal Register Notice.

III. Current Actions

    Falls of roof, face and rib continue to be a cause of injuries and 
death in underground coal mines. All

[[Page 10780]]

underground coal mine operators are required to develop and submit roof 
control plans to MSHA for evaluation and approval. These plans provide 
the means to instruct miners, who install roof supports, and the 
minimum requirements and placement of roof supports. The plan also 
provides a reference for mine supervisors to assist them in compliance 
with the plan requirements. In that regard the plan is a working 
document for the miners.
    Type of Review: Extension.
    Agency: Mine Safety and Health Administration.
    Title: Roof Control Plan.
    OMB Number: 1219-0004.
    Recordkeeping: Indefinite.
    Frequency: On occasion.
    Affected Public: Business or other for-profit.
    Total Number of Responses: 3,516.
    Total Burden Hours: 12,813.
    Total Burden Cost (operating/maintaining): $7,020.
    Comments submitted in response to this notice will be summarized 
and/or 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.

    Dated at Arlington, Virginia, this 3rd day of March 2009.
John Rowlett,
Director, Management Services Division.
 [FR Doc. E9-5289 Filed 3-11-09; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4510-43-P
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