Information Collection: Sealing of Abandoned Areas

To fulfill its statutory mandate to promote miners’ health and safety, MSHA requires information under the information collection request (ICR) titled “Sealing of Abandoned Areas.” This information collection is intended to ensure that the seals used to seal abandoned areas are in accordance with MSHA requirements and thus provide adequate protection for miners who come across them. The standards provide for recordkeeping requirements addressing seal design, monitoring of sealed atmospheres, constructing and repairing of seals, and training. Seal designs must be submitted to MSHA for approval.