[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 95 (Friday, May 16, 1997)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Page 27000]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-12324]


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DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Employment Standards Administration

20 CFR Parts 718, 722, 725, 726 and 727

[RIN 1215-AA99]


Regulations implementing the Federal Coal Mine Health and Safety 
Act of 1969, as Amended; Extension of Comment Period; Additions to the 
Record

AGENCY: Employment Standards Administration, Labor.

ACTION: Proposed rule; extension of comment period; additions to the 
record.

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SUMMARY: This document extends the period for filing comments regarding 
the proposed rule to amend and revise the regulations implementing the 
Black Lung Benefits Act. This action is taken to permit additional 
comment from interested persons. In addition, this document informs all 
interested persons that the Department is adding three medical articles 
to the official rulemaking record and invites comments on those 
articles.

DATES: Comments must be received on or before August 21, 1997.

ADDRESSES: Send written comments on the proposed rule to James L. 
DeMarce, Director, Division of Coal Mine Worker's Compensation, Room C-
3520, Frances Perkins Building, 200 Constitution Ave., NW., Washington, 
DC 20210.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
James L. DeMarce, (202) 219-6692.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: In the Federal Register of January 22, 1997 
(62 FR 3338-3435), the Department of Labor published a proposed rule 
intended to amend and revise the regulations implementing the Black 
Lung Benefit Act, subchapter IV of the Federal Coal Mine Health and 
Safety Act of 1969, as amended. Interested persons were requested to 
submit comments on or before March 24, 1997. In the Federal Register of 
February 24, 1997 (62 FR 8201), the Department extended the comment 
period through May 23, 1997. The trade association representing coal 
mine operators has requested that the Department once again extend the 
comment period. The trade association seeks additional time to analyze 
existing medical evidence and submit its analysis to peer review. The 
Department deems it desirable to extend the comment period for all 
interested persons. Therefore, the comment period for the proposed 
rule, amending and revising 20 CFR Parts 718, 722, 725, 726 and 727, is 
extended through August 21, 1997.
    In addition, following publication of the proposed rule, the 
Department learned of three medical articles relevant to its proposed 
revision of the definition of the term ``pneumoconiosis'' at 20 CFR 
718.201. See 62 FR 3343-44 (discussion), 3376 (definition). Those 
articles are: Becklake, M., ``Occupational Exposures: Evidence for a 
Causal Association with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease,'' 
American Review of Respiratory Disease, 140: S85-S91, 1989; ``Coal Dust 
and Compensation,'' The Lancet, Vol. 335, No. 8685, pp. 322-324 (Feb. 
10, 1990); and Wright, J. et al., ``State of the Art: Diseases of the 
Small Airways,'' American Review of Respiratory Diseases, 146: 240-262, 
1992. The Department gives notice of its inclusion of these articles in 
the official rule-making record, and invites comments on them. Copies 
of the articles may be reviewed at the Department of Labor.

    Signed at Washington, D.C. this 5th day of May, 1997.
Bernard E. Anderson,
Assistant Secretary for Employment Standards.
[FR Doc. 97-12324 Filed 5-15-97; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4510-27-M