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[Federal Register Volume 89, Number 237 (Tuesday, December 10, 2024)]
[Notices]
[Page 99283]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2024-28878]

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DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Agency Information Collection Activities; Submission for OMB 
Review; Comment Request; Notification of Methane Detected in 
Underground Metal and Nonmetal Mine Atmospheres

ACTION: Notice of availability; request for comments.

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SUMMARY: The Department of Labor (DOL) is submitting this Mine Safety 
and Health Administration (MSHA)-sponsored information collection 
request (ICR) to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for review 
and approval in accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 
(PRA). Public comments on the ICR are invited.

DATES: The OMB will consider all written comments that the agency 
receives on or before January 9, 2025.

ADDRESSES: Written comments and recommendations for the proposed 
information collection should be sent within 30 days of publication of 
this notice to www.reginfo.gov/public/do/PRAMain. Find this particular 
information collection by selecting ``Currently under 30-day Review--
Open for Public Comments'' or by using the search function.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Michael Howell by telephone at 202-
693-6782, or by email at [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Title 30 CFR 57.22004(c) requires operators 
of underground M/NM mines to notify the Mine Safety and Health 
Administration (MSHA) as soon as possible if any of the following 
events occur: (a) there is an outburst that results in 0.25 percent or 
more methane in the mine atmosphere, (b) there is a blowout that 
results in 0.25 percent or more methane in the mine atmosphere, (c) 
there is an ignition of methane, or (d) air sample results indicate 
0.25 percent or more methane in the mine atmosphere of a I-B, I-C, II-
B, V-B, or Category VI mine. Under Sec. Sec.  57.22239 and 57.22231, if 
methane reaches 2.0 percent in a Category IV mine or if methane reaches 
0.25 percent in the mine atmosphere of a Subcategory I-B, II-B, V-B, or 
VI mine, MSHA shall be notified immediately. Although the standards do 
not specify how MSHA is to be notified, MSHA anticipates that the 
notifications would be made by telephone.
    Title 30 CFR 57.22229 and 57.22230 require that the mine atmosphere 
be tested for methane and/or carbon dioxide at least once every seven 
days by a competent person or atmospheric monitoring system or a 
combination of both. Section 57.2229 applies to underground M/NM mines 
categorized as I-A, III, and V-A mines where the atmosphere is tested 
for both methane and carbon dioxide. Section 57.22230 applies to 
underground M/NM mines categorized as II-A mines where the atmosphere 
is tested for methane. Where examinations disclose hazardous 
conditions, affected miners must be informed. Title 30 CFR 57.22229(d) 
and 57.22230(c) require that the person performing the tests certify by 
signature and date that the tests have been conducted. Certifications 
of examinations shall be kept for at least one year and made available 
to authorized representatives of the Secretary of Labor. For additional 
substantive information about this ICR, see the related notice 
published in the Federal Register on August 15, 2024 (89 FR 66454).
    Comments are invited on: (1) whether the collection of information 
is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the 
Department, including whether the information will have practical 
utility; (2) the accuracy of the agency's estimates of the burden and 
cost of the collection of information, including the validity of the 
methodology and assumptions used; (3) ways to enhance the quality, 
utility and clarity of the information collection; and (4) ways to 
minimize the burden of the collection of information on those who are 
to respond, including the use of automated collection techniques or 
other forms of information technology.
    This information collection is subject to the PRA. A Federal agency 
generally cannot conduct or sponsor a collection of information, and 
the public is generally not required to respond to an information 
collection, unless the OMB approves it and displays a currently valid 
OMB Control Number. In addition, notwithstanding any other provisions 
of law, no person shall generally be subject to penalty for failing to 
comply with a collection of information that does not display a valid 
OMB Control Number. See 5 CFR 1320.5(a) and 1320.6.
    Agency: DOL-MSHA.
    Title of Collection: Notification of Methane Detected in 
Underground Metal and Nonmetal Mine Atmospheres.
    OMB Control Number: 1219-0103.
    Affected Public: Businesses or other for-profits.
    Number of Respondents: 4.
    Frequency: On occasion.
    Number of Responses: 213.
    Annual Burden Hours: 18 hours.
    Total Estimated Annual Other Costs Burden: $0.

(Authority: 44 U.S.C. 3507(a)(1)(D))

Michael Howell,
Senior Paperwork Reduction Act Analyst.
[FR Doc. 2024-28878 Filed 12-9-24; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4510-43-P
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