Section 103(h) of the Federal Mine
Safety and Health Act of 1977 (Mine Act), 30 U.S.C. § 813,
authorizes MSHA to collect information necessary to carry out its
duty in protecting the safety and health of miners. Title 30 C.F.R.
§ 77.1900 requires underground coal mine operators to submit for
approval a plan that will provide for the safety of workmen in each
slope or shaft that is commenced or extended from the surface to
the underground coal mine. Each slope or shaft sinking operation is
unique in that each operator uses different methods and equipment
and encounters different geological strata which make it impossible
for a single set of regulations to ensure the safety of the miners
under all circumstances. This makes an individual slope or shaft
sinking plan necessary. The plan must be consistent with prudent
engineering design. Plans include the name and location of the
mine; name and address of the mine operator; a description of the
construction work and methods to be used in construction of the
slope or shaft, and whether all or part of the work will be
performed by a contractor; the elevation, depth and dimensions of
the slope or shaft; the location and elevation of the coalbed; the
general characteristics of the strata through which the slope or
shaft will be developed; the type of equipment which the operator
proposes to use; the system of ventilation to be used; and
safeguards for the prevention of caving during excavation.
The burden hour increase of 160
hours (from 1,300 hours to 1,460 hours) is due to additional new
underground coal mine openings and as a result, an increased number
of shaft and slope projects. MSHA records show that there were more
shafts and slopes under construction during the year 2009 than in
2006. There is also a slight cost burden increase (from $1,061 to
$1,272) resulting from an increase in the number of shaft and slope
plans submitted for facilities under construction.
$48,651
No
No
No
No
No
Uncollected
Mario Distasio 2026939455
distasio.mario@dol.gov
No
On behalf of this Federal agency, I certify that
the collection of information encompassed by this request complies
with 5 CFR 1320.9 and the related provisions of 5 CFR
1320.8(b)(3).
The following is a summary of the topics, regarding
the proposed collection of information, that the certification
covers:
(i) Why the information is being collected;
(ii) Use of information;
(iii) Burden estimate;
(iv) Nature of response (voluntary, required for a
benefit, or mandatory);
(v) Nature and extent of confidentiality; and
(vi) Need to display currently valid OMB control
number;
If you are unable to certify compliance with any of
these provisions, identify the item by leaving the box unchecked
and explain the reason in the Supporting Statement.