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View ICR - OIRA Conclusion

OMB Control No: 1219-0088	ICR Reference No: 201201-1219-001
Status: Active	Previous ICR Reference No: 201003-1219-005
Agency/Subagency: DOL/MSHA	Agency Tracking No:
Title: Ventilation Plans, Tests and Examinations in Underground Coal Mines
Type of Information Collection: Revision of a currently approved collection	Common Form ICR: No
Type of Review Request: Regular
OIRA Conclusion Action: Approved without change	Conclusion Date: 07/17/2012
Retrieve Notice of Action (NOA)	Date Received in OIRA: 04/06/2012
Terms of Clearance:

	Inventory as of this Action	Requested	Previously Approved
Expiration Date	07/31/2015	36 Months From Approved	10/31/2013
Responses	1,300,846	1,300,846	1,374
Time Burden (Hours)	232,726	232,726	1,388,721
Cost Burden (Dollars)	184,648	184,648	214,627

Abstract: Under Section 101(a) of the Federal Mine Safety and Health Act of 1977 (the Mine Act), the Secretary may by rule in accordance with procedures set forth in this section and in accordance with section 553 of Title 5, United States Code (without regard to any reference in such section to sections 556 and 557 of such title), 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 or other mines. In addition, Section 303 requires that all coal mines be ventilated by mechanical ventilation equipment installed and operated in a manner approved by an authorized representative of the Secretary and such equipment be examined daily and a record be kept of such examination. Underground coal mines usually present harsh and hostile working environments. The ventilation system is the most vital life support system in underground mining and a properly operating ventilation system is essential for maintaining a safe and healthful working environment. Lack of adequate ventilation in underground mines has resulted in fatalities from asphyxiation and explosions. An underground mine is a maze of tunnels that must be adequately ventilated with fresh air to provide a safe environment for miners. Methane is liberated from the strata, and noxious gases and dusts from blasting and other mining activities may be present. The explosive and noxious gases and dusts must be diluted, rendered harmless, and carried to the surface by the ventilating currents. Sufficient air must be provided to maintain the level of respirable dust at or below 2 milligrams per cubic meter of air and air quality must be maintained in accordance with MSHA standards. Mechanical ventilation equipment of sufficient capacity must operate at all times while miners are in the mine. Ground conditions are subject to frequent changes, thus sufficient tests and examinations are necessary to ensure the integrity of the ventilation system and to detect any changes that may require adjustments in the system. Records of tests and examinations are necessary to ensure that the ventilation system is being maintained and that changes which could adversely affect the integrity of the system or the safety of the miners are not occurring. These examination, reporting and recordkeeping requirements of �� 75.310, 75.312, 75.342, 75.351, 75.360 through 75.364, 75.370, 75.371, and 75.382 also incorporate examinations of other critical aspects of the underground work environment such as roof conditions and electrical equipment which have historically caused numerous fatalities if not properly maintained and operated. MSHA is promulgating a final rule, entitled

ICR Summary of Burden

	Total Approved	Previously Approved	Change Due to Agency Discretion	Change Due to Adjustment in Estimate
Annual Number of Responses	1,300,846	1,374	309,746	989,726
Annual Time Burden (Hours)	232,726	1,388,721	15,478	-1,171,473
Annual Cost Burden (Dollars)	184,648	214,627	0	-29,979

Burden increases because of Program Change due to Agency Discretion: Yes

Burden Increase Due to: Changing Regulations

Burden decreases because of Program Change due to Agency Discretion: No

Burden Reduction Due to:

Short Statement: Respondents: There has been an increase of 92 in the number of Respondents (457 to 549). This is due to an increase in the number of underground coal mines. Responses: There was an increase of 989,726 responses from the previously approved 1,374 responses to the current total request of 1,300,846. The large revision is due to the correction of an inadvertent underestimate of the previously approved 1,374 responses. An estimated increase of 309,746 responses is due to this final rule. Hours: There was an overall decrease of 1,171,473 hours from the previously approved 1,388,721 hours. The current estimated total request of 232,726 hours includes an increase of 15,478 hours due to the new burden hours associated with this final rule. The revision in the estimate is due to a change in wages rates and an increase in the number of mines, as well as the removal of the burden hour costs for existing examinations requirements. Costs: There was a decrease in estimated costs of $29,979 from the previously approved $214,627 to the current total estimate of $184,648. This was due to a revision in the estimate of the number of mines and hourly wage rates. These changes were not due to the final rule. Summary of Burden Hrs and Cost Requirement Burden Hours 75.360 13,278 75.363 827 75.364 1,373 Totals 15,478 Summary of Responses Details No. of Respondents No. of Times to Respond No. of Annual Responses 75.360 549 484.06 265,750 75.363 549 50 27,450 75.364 549 30.14 16,546 Total 309,746

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