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 decrease of 100 hours (from 1,460 hours to 1,360 hours) and the associated costs is due to fewer new underground coal mine openings, and as a result, a decreased number of shaft and slope projects. MSHA records show that there were less shafts and slopes under construction during the year 2012 than 2009.
There was a decrease from 73 responses to 68 due to less plans in this adjustment and less respondents submitting plans (73 to 31 respondents/mines). The prior submission double counted revisions as responses from additional respondents. This submission more accurately notes that respondents submit multiple responses per respondent.
There was also a cost burden decrease (from $1,272 to $51) resulting from a decrease in the number of shaft and slope plans submitted for facilities under construction and the increase in the number of plans sent to MSHA electronically.
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.
1219-0019 60 Day Federal Register Notice 10-2013 final.doc
1219-0019 Support Statement 1-2014 for ROCIS final.docx
Slope and Shaft Sinking Plans