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[Federal Register Volume 89, Number 248 (Friday, December 27, 2024)]
[Notices]
[Pages 105632-105633]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2024-30942]

[[Page 105632]]

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DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Mine Safety and Health Administration

[OMB Control No. 1219-0030]

Proposed Extension of Information Collection; Main Fan Operation 
and Inspection (I-A, II-A, III, and V-A Mines)

AGENCY: Mine Safety and Health Administration, Labor.

ACTION: Request for public comments.

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SUMMARY: The Department of Labor (DOL), 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. The Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) is 
soliciting comments on the information collection entitled Main Fan 
Operation and Inspection (I-A, II-A, III, and V-A Mines).

DATES: All comments must be received on or before February 25, 2025.

ADDRESSES: Comments concerning the information collection requirements 
of this notice may be sent by any of the methods listed below. Please 
note that late comments received after the deadline will not be 
considered.
     Federal E-Rulemaking Portal: https://www.regulations.gov. 
Follow the on-line instructions for submitting comments for docket 
number MSHA-2024-0068.
     Mail/Hand Delivery: DOL-MSHA, Office of Standards, 
Regulations, and Variances, 201 12th Street South, 4th Floor West, 
Arlington, VA 22202-5452. Before visiting MSHA in person, call 202-693-
9455 to make an appointment.
     MSHA will post all comments as well as any attachments, 
except for information submitted and marked as confidential, in the 
docket at https://www.regulations.gov.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: S. Aromie Noe, Director, Office of 
Standards, Regulations, and Variances, MSHA, at 
[email protected] (email); (202) 693-9440 (voice); 
or (202) 693-9441 (facsimile). These are not toll-free numbers.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Background

A. Legal Authority

    Section 103(h) of the Federal Mine Safety and Health Act of 1977 
(Mine Act) as amended, 30 U.S.C. 813(h), authorizes the Mine Safety and 
Health Administration (MSHA) to collect information necessary to carry 
out its duty in protecting the safety and health of miners. 30 U.S.C. 
813(h). Further, section 101(a) of the Mine Act, 30 U.S.C. 811(a), 
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, metal, and nonmetal mines.

B. Information Collection

    In order to fulfill the statutory mandates to promote miners' 
health and safety, MSHA requires the collection of information under 
the information request titled ``Main Fan Operation and Inspection (I-
A, II-A, III, and V-A Mines).'' The information collection is intended 
to ensure that mine ventilation is constantly monitored and that unsafe 
conditions are identified early and corrected.
1. Daily Main Fan Inspection and Certification (I-A, II-A, III, and V-A 
Mines)
    Maintaining proper ventilation is critical to providing miners with 
a safe working environment. Potentially dangerous conditions in 
underground mines due to explosive gases are largely controlled by the 
main fans. When accumulations of explosive gases, such as methane, are 
not quickly removed from the mine by the main fans, they may reasonably 
be expected to come in contact with an ignition source and cause 
explosions. The results of such explosions are often severe and have 
previously included incidents with multiple fatalities.
    Under 30 CFR 57.22204, which applies to underground metal and 
nonmetal mines that are categorized as I-A, II-A, III or V-A mines, the 
main fans must have a pressure-recording system. This standard also 
requires main fans to be inspected daily while operating if persons are 
underground, and certification of inspections must be made by signature 
and date. Certifications and pressure recordings must be retained for 
at least one year and made available to an authorized representative of 
the Secretary.

II. Desired Focus of Comments

    MSHA is soliciting comments concerning the proposed information 
collection titled ``Main Fan Operation and Inspection (I-A, II-A, III, 
and V-A Mines).'' 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 https://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 https://www.regulations.gov and https://www.reginfo.gov.
    The public may also examine publicly available documents at DOL-
MSHA, Office of Standards, Regulations and Variances, 201 12th Street 
South, 4th Floor West, Arlington, VA 22202-5452. Sign in at the 
receptionist's desk on the 4th Floor via the West elevator. Before 
visiting MSHA in person, call 202-693-9455 to make an appointment.
    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 information collection request concerns provisions for Main 
Fan Operation and Inspection (I-A, II-A, III, and V-A Mines). MSHA has 
updated the data with respect to the number of respondents, responses, 
time burden, and burden costs supporting this information collection 
request from the previous information collection request.
    Type of Review: Extension, without change, of a currently approved 
collection.
    Agency: Mine Safety and Health Administration.

[[Page 105633]]

    OMB Number: 1219-0030.
    Affected Public: Business or other for-profit.
    Number of Annual Respondents: 6.
    Frequency: On occasion.
    Number of Annual Responses: 3,960.
    Annual Time Burden: 2,112 hours.
    Annual Other Burden Costs $6,000.
    Comments submitted in response to this notice will be summarized 
and included in the request for Office of Management and Budget 
approval of the proposed information collection request; they will 
become a matter of public record and be available at https://www.reginfo.gov.

Song-ae Aromie Noe,
Certifying Officer, Mine Safety and Health Administration.
[FR Doc. 2024-30942 Filed 12-26-24; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4510-43-P
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