Fixing Mine Defects Starts with Fixing Paperwork Burdens
Published Date: 7/27/2026
Notice
Summary
The Department of Labor (DOL), as part of its continuing effort to reduce paperwork and respondent burden, conducts a pre- clearance consultation program for all information collections, to provide the public and Federal agencies with an opportunity to comment on proposed collections of information, in accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995. This program helps to ensure that requested data can be provided in the desired format, reporting burden (time and financial resources) is minimized, collection instruments are clearly understood, and the impact of collection requirements on respondents can be properly assessed. The Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) is soliciting comments on the information collection titled "Safety Defects, Examination, Correction, and Records."
Analyzed Economic Effects
4 provisions identified: 0 benefits, 2 costs, 2 mixed.
Ongoing Reporting Burden for Mines
MSHA is proposing to extend the existing information collection, which affects mines and mine operators. The ICR lists 11,687 annual respondents, 6,055,179 annual responses, 1,351,405 annual hours of burden, and $427,919 in annual recordkeeping costs.
Shift-by-Shift Workplace Inspections Required
A competent person designated by the operator must examine each working place at least once each shift before miners begin work, and the operator must record the examination before the end of the shift. The record must include the examiner's name, date, locations examined, descriptions of unsafe conditions, include the date of corrective action when corrected, be kept for at least one year, and a copy must be provided to miners' representatives on request.
Certified Inspections for Boilers and Pressure Vessels
Compressed-air receivers, unfired pressure vessels, and boilers must be inspected by inspectors holding a valid National Board Commission and in accordance with the National Board Inspection Code and the ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code. Records of inspections and repairs must be kept per those codes and made available to the Secretary or authorized representatives.
Operator Equipment Checks and Defect Tagging
Self-propelled mobile equipment must be inspected by the equipment operator before each shift; defects that affect safety must be corrected promptly. Equipment that is hazardous must be taken out of service or clearly tagged, and defects not corrected immediately must be recorded and those records kept at the mine or nearest office until correction and made available to the Secretary.
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Key Dates
Department and Agencies
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Previous / Next Documents
Previous: 2026-15134, Proposed Extension of Information Collection: Hoist Operators' Physical Fitness
The Department of Labor (DOL), as part of its continuing effort to reduce paperwork and respondent burden, conducts a pre- clearance consultation program for all information collections, to provide the public and Federal agencies with an opportunity to comment on proposed collections of information, in accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995. This program helps to ensure that requested data can be provided in the desired format, reporting burden (time and financial resources) is minimized, collection instruments are clearly understood, and the impact of collection requirements on respondents can be properly assessed. The Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) is soliciting comments on the information collection titled "Hoist Operators' Physical Fitness."
Next: 2026-15136, Proposed Extension of Information Collection: Rock Burst Control Plan (Pertains to Underground Metal/Nonmetal Mines)
The Department of Labor (DOL), as part of its continuing effort to reduce paperwork and respondent burden, conducts a pre- clearance consultation program for all information collections, to provide the public and Federal agencies with an opportunity to comment on proposed collections of information, in accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995. This program helps to ensure that requested data can be provided in the desired format, reporting burden (time and financial resources) is minimized, collection instruments are clearly understood, and the impact of collection requirements on respondents can be properly assessed. The Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) is soliciting comments on the information collection titled "Rock Burst Control Plan (Pertains to Underground Metal/Nonmetal Mines)."