[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 176 (Tuesday, September 10, 1996)]
[Notices]
[Pages 47772-47773]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-23050]


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DEPARTMENT OF LABOR
Mine Safety and Health Administration


Proposed Information Collection Request Submitted for Public 
Comment and Recommendations; Hearing Conservation Plans

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: The Department of Labor, as part of its continuing effort to 
reduce paperwork and respondents' burden, conducts a preclearance 
consultation program to provide the general public and federal agencies 
with an opportunity to comment on proposed and/or continuing 
collections of information in accordance with the Paperwork Reduction 
Act of 1995 (PRA 95) [44 U.S.C. Sec. 3506(c)(2)(A)]. 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.
    Currently, the Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) is 
soliciting comments concerning the proposed extension of the 
information collection related to Hearing Conservation Plans for coal 
mines. MSHA is particularly interested in comments which:
    * Evaluate whether the proposed collection of information is 
necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the agency, 
including whether the information will have practical utility;
    * Evaluate the accuracy of the agency's estimate of the burden of 
the proposed collection of information, including the validity of the 
methodology and assumptions used;
    * Enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to 
be collected; and
    * Minimize the burden of the collection of information on those who 
must respond through the use of appropriate automated, electronic, 
mechanical, or other technological collection techniques or other forms 
of information technology, e.g., electronic submissions of responses.
    A copy of the proposed information collection request can be 
obtained by contacting the employee listed below in the Addressee 
section of this notice.

DATES: Submit comments on or before November 12, 1996.

ADDRESSES: Written comments shall be mailed to Patricia W. Silvey, 
Director, Office of Standards, Regulations, and Variances, U.S. 
Department of Labor, Mine Safety and Health Administration, 4015 Wilson 
Boulevard, Room 627, Arlington, VA 22203-1984. Commenters are 
encouraged to send their comments on a computer disk, or via E-mail to 
[email protected], along with an original printed copy. Ms. Silvey can 
be reached at (703) 235-1910 (voice) or (703) 235-5551 (facsimile).

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: George M. Fesak, Director, Office of 
Program Evaluation and Information Resources, U.S. Department of Labor, 
Mine Safety and Health Administration, Room 715, 4015 Wilson Boulevard, 
Arlington, VA 22203-1984. Mr. Fesak can be reached at [email protected] 
(Internet E-mail), (703) 235-8378 (voice) or (703) 235-1563 
(facsimile).

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

I. Background

    Section 206 of the Federal Mine Safety and Health Act of 1977 (Mine 
Act), 30 U.S.C. Sec. 846, requires the Secretary of Labor to promulgate 
mandatory health standards establishing maximum noise exposure levels 
for underground coal mines. The Secretary, through the Mine Safety and 
Health Administration (MSHA), promulgated a regulation governing 
permissible noise exposure levels which may be found at 30 CFR 
Sec. 70.510. Additionally, 30 CFR Part 70, Subpart F and Part 71, 
Subpart I, require that periodic noise surveys be taken by each mine 
operator every three to six months. The surveys must be taken by a 
certified person, and they must be taken where each miner in the active 
workings of the mine is exposed during the performance of duties to 
which he is normally assigned. If a mine operator is found to have 
violated the

[[Page 47773]]

permissible noise exposure levels, the operator is required to submit 
to MSHA for approval a continuing, effective hearing conservation plan 
that includes provisions for (i) reducing environmental noise levels; 
(ii) personal ear protective devices to be made available to the 
miners; and (iii) preemployment and periodic audiograms.

II. Current Actions

    MSHA seeks to continue the requirement that mine operators submit 
hearing conservation plans when they are found to be in violation of 
the noise standard to ensure that permissible noise exposure levels are 
not exceeded and that miners are afforded the proper protection to 
conserve their hearing.
    Type of Review: Reinstatement.
    Agency: Mine Safety and Health Administration.
    Title: Hearing Conservation Plan.
    OMB Number: 1219-0017.
    Affected Public: Business or other for-profit.
    Total Respondents: 3,236.
    Frequency: On occasion.
    Total Responses: 280.
    Average Time per Response: 5.82 hours.
    Estimated Total Burden Hours: 1,630 hours.
    Estimated Total Burden Cost: $242,354.
    Comments submitted in response to this notice will be summarized 
and/or 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.

    Dated: August 30, 1996.
George M. Fesak,
Director, Program Evaluation and Information Resources.
[FR Doc. 96-23050 Filed 9-9-96; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4510-43-M