82 FR 13658 - Proposed Extension of Information Collection; Periodic Medical Surveillance Examinations for Coal Miners

DEPARTMENT OF LABOR
Mine Safety and Health Administration

Federal Register Volume 82, Issue 48 (March 14, 2017)

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 Periodic Medical Surveillance Examinations For Coal Miners.

[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 48 (Tuesday, March 14, 2017)]
[Notices]
[Pages 13658-13659]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2017-04958]


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DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Mine Safety and Health Administration

[OMB Control No. 1219-0152]


Proposed Extension of Information Collection; Periodic Medical 
Surveillance Examinations for Coal Miners

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 Periodic Medical 
Surveillance Examinations For Coal Miners.

DATES: All comments must be received on or before May 15, 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-2016-0041.
     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

[[Page 13659]]

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 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 and metal and 
nonmetal mines.
    The Mine Act authorizes the National Institute for Occupational 
Safety and Health (NIOSH) to study the causes and consequences of coal-
related respiratory disease, and in cooperation with MSHA, to carry out 
a program for early detection and prevention of pneumoconiosis. NIOSH 
administers the National Coal Workers' Health Surveillance Program, 
``Specifications for Medical Examinations of Underground Coal Miners,'' 
as specified in 42 CFR part 37. 30 CFR 72.100 contains collection 
requirements for these activities in paragraphs (d) and (e).
    Section 72.100(d) requires that each mine operator must develop and 
submit for approval to NIOSH a plan in accordance with 42 CFR part 37 
for providing miners with the required periodic examinations specified 
in 72.100(a) and a roster specifying the name and current address of 
each miner covered by the plan.
    Section 72.100(e) requires that each mine operator must post on the 
mine bulletin board at all times the approved plan for providing the 
examinations specified in 72.100(a).
    Section 72.100(d) and (e) are requirements that mirror NIOSH 
information collection requirements under 42 CFR 37.4 (existing OMB No. 
0920-0020). Including these requirements allows MSHA to use its 
inspection and enforcement authority to ensure that operators comply 
with these provisions.

II. Desired Focus of Comments

    MSHA is soliciting comments concerning the proposed information 
collection related to Periodic Medical Surveillance Examinations For 
Coal Miners. 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 
Periodic Medical Surveillance Examinations For Coal Miners. 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: Revision of a currently approved collection.
    Agency: Mine Safety and Health Administration.
    OMB Number: 1219-0152.
    Affected Public: Business or other for-profit.
    Number of Respondents: 1,223.
    Frequency: On occasion.
    Number of Responses: 1,468.
    Annual Burden Hours: 1,142 hours.
    Annual Respondent or Recordkeeper Cost: $441.
    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. 2017-04958 Filed 3-13-17; 8:45 am]
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