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 of Labor 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. Title 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 section 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 section 72.100(a).

Sections 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. 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.

Background documents related to this information collection request are available at https://regulations.gov and in DOL-MSHA located at 201 12th Street South, Suite 4E401, Arlington, VA 22202-5452. Questions about the information collection requirements may be directed to the person listed in the FOR FURTHER INFORMATION section of this notice from the previous collection of information.

III. Current Actions

This information collection request concerns 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 from the previous information collection request.

Type of Review: Extension, without change, 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: 1,126.

Frequency: On occasion.

Number of Responses: 1,352.

Annual Burden Hours: 1,051 hours.

Annual Respondent or Recordkeeper Cost: $406.

Comments submitted in response to this notice will be summarized in the request for Office of Management and Budget approval of the proposed information collection request; they will become a matter of public record and will be available at https://www.reginfo.gov.

85 FR 16960