81 FR 76968 - Proposed Extension of Information Collection; Health Standards for Diesel Particulate Matter Exposure (Underground Coal Mines)

DEPARTMENT OF LABOR
Mine Safety and Health Administration

Federal Register Volume 81, Issue 214 (November 4, 2016)

The Department of Labor, as part of its continuing effort to reduce paperwork and respondent burden, conducts a pre-clearance consultation program to provide the general 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 assure 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. Currently, the Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) is soliciting comments on the information collection for Health Standards for Diesel Particulate Matter Exposure (Underground Coal Mines)

[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 214 (Friday, November 4, 2016)]
[Notices]
[Pages 76968-76969]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2016-26733]


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DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Mine Safety and Health Administration

[OMB Control No. 1219-0124]


Proposed Extension of Information Collection; Health Standards 
for Diesel Particulate Matter Exposure (Underground Coal Mines)

AGENCY: Mine Safety and Health Administration, Labor.

ACTION: Request for public comments.

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SUMMARY: The Department of Labor, as part of its continuing effort to 
reduce paperwork and respondent burden, conducts a pre-clearance 
consultation program to provide the general 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 assure 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. 
Currently, the Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) is 
soliciting comments on the information collection for Health Standards 
for Diesel Particulate Matter Exposure (Underground Coal Mines)

DATES: All comments must be received on or before January 3, 2017.

ADDRESSES: Comments concerning the information collection requirements 
of this notice may be sent by any of the methods listed below.
     Federal E-Rulemaking Portal: http://www.regulations.gov. 
Follow the on-line instructions for submitting comments for docket 
number MSHA-2016-0031.
     Regular Mail: Send comments to USDOL-MSHA, Office of 
Standards, Regulations, and Variances, 201 12th Street South, Suite 
4E401, Arlington, VA 22202-5452.
     Hand Delivery: USDOL-Mine Safety and Health 
Administration, 201 12th Street South, Suite 4E401, Arlington, VA 
22202-5452. Sign in at the receptionist's desk on the 4th floor via the 
East elevator.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Sheila McConnell, Director, Office of 
Standards, Regulations, and Variances, MSHA, at 
[email protected] (email); 202-693-9440 (voice); or 
202-693-9441 (facsimile).

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Background

    Section 103(h) of the Federal Mine Safety and Health Act of 1977 
(Mine Act), 30 U.S.C. 813(h), authorizes the Mine Safety and Health 
Administration (MSHA) to collect information necessary to carry out its 
duty in protecting the safety and health of miners. Further, Section 
101(a) of the Mine Act, 30 U.S.C. 811 authorizes the Secretary to 
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.
    MSHA established standards and regulations for diesel-powered 
equipment in underground coal mines that provide additional important 
protection for coal miners who work on and around diesel-powered 
equipment. The standards were designed to reduce the risks to 
underground coal miners of serious health hazards that are

[[Page 76969]]

associated with exposure to high concentrations of diesel particulate 
matter. The standards contain information collection requirements for 
underground coal mine operators in sections 72.510(a) & (b), and 
72.520(a) & (b).
    Section 72.510(a) requires underground coal mine operators to 
provide annual training to all miners who may be exposed to diesel 
emissions. The training must include health risks associated with 
exposure to diesel particulate matter; methods used in the mine to 
control diesel particulate concentrations; identification of the 
personnel responsible for maintaining those controls; and actions 
miners must take to ensure controls operate as intended.
    Section 72.510(b) requires underground coal mine operators to keep 
a record of the training for one year.
    Section 72.520(a) and (b) requires underground coal mine operators 
to maintain an inventory of diesel powered equipment units together 
with a list of information about any unit's emission control or 
filtration system. The list must be updated within 7 calendar days of 
any change.

II. Desired Focus of Comments

    MSHA is soliciting comments concerning the proposed information 
collection related to Health Standards for Diesel Particulate Matter 
Exposure (Underground Coal Mines). MSHA is particularly interested in 
comments that:
     Evaluate whether the collection of information is 
necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the agency, 
including whether the information has practical utility;
     Evaluate the accuracy of MSHA's estimate of the burden of 
the collection of information, including the validity of the 
methodology and assumptions used;
     Suggest methods to enhance the quality, utility, and 
clarity of the information to be collected; and
     Minimize the burden of the collection of information on 
those who are to respond, including through the use of appropriate 
automated, electronic, mechanical, or other technological collection 
techniques or other forms of information technology, e.g., permitting 
electronic submission of responses.
    The information collection request will be available on http://www.regulations.gov. MSHA cautions the commenter against providing any 
information in the submission that should not be publicly disclosed. 
Full comments, including personal information provided, will be made 
available on www.regulations.gov and www.reginfo.gov.
    The public may also examine publicly available documents at USDOL-
Mine Safety and Health Administration, 201 12th South, Suite 4E401, 
Arlington, VA 22202-5452. Sign in at the receptionist's desk on the 4th 
floor via the East elevator.
    Questions about the information collection requirements may be 
directed to the person listed in the FOR FURTHER INFORMATION section of 
this notice.

III. Current Actions

    This request for collection of information contains provisions for 
Health Standards for Diesel Particulate Matter Exposure (Underground 
Coal Mines). MSHA has updated the data with respect to the number of 
respondents, responses, burden hours, and burden costs supporting this 
information collection request.
    Type of Review: Extension of a currently approved collection.
    Agency: Mine Safety and Health Administration.
    OMB Number: 1219-0124.
    Affected Public: Business or other for-profit.
    Number of Respondents: 220.
    Frequency: On occasion.
    Number of Responses: 74,282.
    Annual Burden Hours: 936 hours.
    Annual Respondent or Recordkeeper Cost: $13.
    MSHA Forms: None.
    Comments submitted in response to this notice will be summarized 
and included in the request for Office of Management and Budget 
approval of the information collection request; they will also become a 
matter of public record.

Sheila McConnell,
Certifying Officer.
[FR Doc. 2016-26733 Filed 11-3-16; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4510-43-P