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.
US Code:
30 USC 811
Name of Law: Federal Mine Safety & Health Act of 1977
US Code:
30 USC 813(h)
Name of Law: Federal Mine Safety & Health Act of 1977
There was an increase in respondents from 27 to 35. The burden hour increase of 220 hours (from 1,600 hours to 1,820 hours) and the associated costs is due to the slight increase in the number of revised plans submitted for the number of shaft and slope projects. This is true even when MSHA records show that there were fewer shafts and slopes under construction during the year FY2018 than 2015. The increase in base and revised plans increased responses from 80 to 91. In addition, most of these plans and revisions are submitted by email, cutting down on mailing costs. There was also a cost burden decrease (from $60 to $55) resulting from the combination of increased responses, increased use of electronic submissions, and updated printing and mailing costs.
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 Sup Statement 2019.docx
Slope and Shaft Sinking Plans