[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 11 (Friday, January 16, 1998)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Page 2642]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-1139]


=======================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Mine Safety and Health Administration

30 CFR Parts 56, 57, 62, 70, and 71

RIN-AA53


Health Standards for Occupational Noise Exposure

AGENCY: Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA), Labor.

ACTION: Proposed rule; Extension of comment period.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: On December 23, 1997, MSHA published a notice soliciting 
comments on a report from the National Institute for Occupational 
Safety and Health (NIOSH) entitled ``Prevalence of Hearing Loss For 
Noise-Exposed Metal/Nonmetal Miners.'' This notice extends the original 
comment period on the report.

DATES: Submit written comments on the report on or before February 23, 
1998.

ADDRESSES: Comments may be transmitted by electronic mail, fax, or 
mail. Comments by electronic mail must be clearly identified and sent 
to: [email protected]. Faxed comments must be clearly identified and 
sent to: MSHA, Office of Standards, Regulations, and Variances, 703-
235-5551. Send mail comments to: Mine Safety and Health Administration, 
Office of Standards, Regulations, and Variances, 4015 Wilson Boulevard, 
Room 631, Arlington, VA 22203-1984. Commenters are encouraged to 
supplement written comments with computer files or disks.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Patricia W. Silvey, Director, MSHA, 
Office of Standards, Regulations, and Variances, 703-235-1910.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On December 17, 1996, MSHA published a 
proposed rule in the Federal Register (61 FR 66348) revising its health 
standards for occupational noise exposure in coal and metal and 
nonmetal mines.
    On December 16, 1997, MSHA published a notice in the Federal 
Register (62 FR 65777) announcing the availability of a report from 
NIOSH entitled ``Prevalence of Hearing Loss For Noise-Exposed Metal/
Nonmetal Miners.'' The Agency further stated its intent to supplement 
the rulemaking record with this report and to make it available to 
interested parties upon request.
    MSHA received several requests from the mining community that they 
be provided an opportunity to comment on the report. On December 23, 
1997, MSHA published a notice in the Federal Register (62 FR 67013) 
allowing the public 30 days in which to review the report and submit 
comments.
    In response to a request from the mining community, MSHA is 
extending this comment period an additional 30 days to February 23, 
1998. Interested persons are encouraged to submit comments by this 
date.

    Dated: January 12, 1998.
J. Davitt McAteer,
Assistant Secretary for Mine Safety and Health.
[FR Doc. 98-1139 Filed 1-15-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4510-43-P