Agency Information Collection Activities; Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request; Diesel-Powered Equipment in Underground Coal Mines

ACTION:

Notice of availability; request for comments.

SUMMARY:

The Department of Labor (DOL) is submitting this Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA)-sponsored information collection request (ICR) to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for review and approval in accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (PRA). Public comments on the ICR are invited.

DATES:

The OMB will consider all written comments that agency receives on or before December 27, 2021.

ADDRESSES:

Written comments and recommendations for the proposed information collection should be sent within 30 days of publication of this notice to www.reginfo.gov/public/do/PRAMain. Find this particular information collection by selecting “Currently under 30-day Review—Open for Public Comments” or by using the search function.

Comments are invited on: (1) Whether the collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the Department, including whether the information will have practical utility; (2) if the information will be processed and used in a timely manner; (3) the accuracy of the agency's estimates of the burden and cost of the collection of information, including the validity of the methodology and assumptions used; (4) ways to enhance the quality, utility and clarity of the information collection; and (5) ways to minimize the burden of the collection of information on those who are to respond, including the use of automated collection techniques or other forms of information technology.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Nora Hernandez by telephone at 202-693-8633 or by email at DOL_PRA_PUBLIC@dol.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

MSHA requires mine operators to provide important safety and health protections to underground coal miners who work on and around diesel-powered equipment. The engines powering diesel equipment are potential contributors to fires and explosion hazards in the confined environment of an underground coal mine where combustible coal dust and explosive methane gas are present. Diesel equipment operating in underground coal mines also can pose serious health risks to miners from exposure to diesel exhaust emissions, including diesel particulates, oxides of nitrogen, and carbon monoxide. Diesel exhaust is a lung carcinogen in animals.

This information collection includes maintenance and use of diesel equipment; tests and maintenance of fire suppression systems on both the equipment and at fueling stations; and exhaust gas sampling.

Records are required to document that essential testing and maintenance of diesel-powered equipment are conducted regularly by qualified persons; that corrective actions are taken; and the persons performing the maintenance, repairs, examinations, and tests are trained and qualified to perform such tasks.

Safety requirements for diesel equipment include many of the proven features required in existing standards for electric-powered mobile equipment, such as cabs or canopies, methane monitors, brakes and lights. Sampling of diesel exhaust emissions is required to protect miners from overexposure to carbon monoxide and nitrogen dioxide contained in diesel exhaust. Information collection requirements are found in: Section 75.1901(a), Diesel fuel requirements; section 75.1904(b)(4)(i), Underground diesel fuel tanks and safety cans; Section 75.1906(d), Transport of diesel fuel; section 75.1911(j), Fire suppression systems for diesel-powered equipment and fuel transportation units; section 75.1912(i), Fire suppression systems for permanent underground diesel fuel storage facilities; sections 75.1914(f)(2), (g), (h)(1), and (h)(2), Maintenance of diesel-powered equipment; sections 75.1915(b)(5), (c)(1), and (c)(2), Training and qualification of persons working on diesel-powered equipment. For additional substantive information about this ICR, see the related notice published in the Federal Register on June 16, 2021 (86 FR 32067).

This information collection is subject to the PRA. A Federal agency generally cannot conduct or sponsor a collection of information, and the public is generally not required to respond to an information collection, unless the OMB approves it and displays a currently valid OMB Control Number. In addition, notwithstanding any other provisions of law, no person shall generally be subject to penalty for failing to comply with a collection of information that does not display a valid OMB Control Number. See 5 CFR 1320.5(a) and 1320.6.

DOL seeks PRA authorization for this information collection for three (3) years. OMB authorization for an ICR cannot be for more than three (3) years without renewal. The DOL notes that information collection requirements submitted to the OMB for existing ICRs receive a month-to-month extension while they undergo review.

Agency: DOL-MSHA.

Title of Collection: Diesel-Powered Equipment in Underground Coal Mines.

OMB Control Number: 1219-0119.

Affected Public: Private Sector: Businesses or other for-profit institutions.

Total Estimated Number of Respondents: 126.

Total Estimated Number of Responses: 172,599.

Total Estimated Annual Time Burden: 14,002 hours.

Total Estimated Annual Other Costs Burden: $312,294.

Authority: 44 U.S.C. 3507(a)(1)(D).