[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 98 (Friday, May 21, 1999)]
[Notices]
[Pages 27818-27819]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-12913]


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DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Mine Safety and Health Administration


Proposed Information Collection Request Submitted for Public 
Comment and Recommendations; Noise Data Report Form and Calibration 
Records

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: The Department of Labor, as part of its continuing effort to 
reduce paperwork and respondent burden conducts a preclearance 
consultation program to provide the general public and Federal agencies 
with an opportunity to comment on continuing collections of information 
in accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (PRA95) [44 
U.S.C. 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 reinstatement of the 
information collection related to the Coal Mine Noise Data Report and 
Calibration Records. 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 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 submissions of responses.
    A copy of the proposed information collection request can be 
obtained by contacting the employee listed below in the For Further 
Information Contact: section of this notice.

DATES: Submit comments on or before July 20, 1999.

ADDRESSES: Send comments to Theresa M. O'Malley, Program Analysis 
Officer, Office of Program Evaluation and Information Resources, U.S. 
Department of Labor, Mine Safety and Health Administration, Room 719, 
4015 Wilson Boulevard, Arlington, VA 22203-1984.
    Commenters are encouraged to send their comments on a computer 
disk, via E-mail to TOM[email protected], along with an original printed 
copy. Ms. O'Malley can be reached at (703) 235-1470 (voice), or (703) 
235-1563 (facsimile).

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Theresa M. O'Malley Program Analysis 
Officer, Officer of Program Evaluation and Information Resources, U.S. 
Department of Labor, Mine Safety and Health Administration, Room 719, 
4015 Wilson Boulevard, Arlington, VA 22203-1984. Mrs. O'Malley can be 
reached at TOM[email protected] (Internet E-mail), (703) 235-1470 (voice), 
or (703) 235-1563 (facsimile).

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Background

    This information is used to evaluate the average noise levels to 
which miners may be exposed. The information is evaluated to determine 
if miners working at a particular occupation or operating a particular 
type of equipment may be exposed to excessive noise levels. This type 
of information may be useful in determining if there is a need for MSHA 
to evaluate the miners work area, and to require the mine operator to 
develop a hearing conservation plan to adequately protect the miners 
from being exposed to excessive noise levels. In addition, the 
information may be used to determine if research is needed to assist in 
the development of engineering controls on equipment that typically 
generate high noise levels.

II. Current Actions

    MSHA inspection personnel routinely conduct a noise survey from a 
representative number of miners working at various occupations. 
However, MSHA does not have the resources to conduct a noise survey 
from the working environment of all miners annually. MSHA relies on the 
information from the mine operators to determine if there is a need to 
evaluate the miners work area or to conduct a noise survey. In 
addition, when a

[[Page 27819]]

determination is made that the noise levels being generated by a 
particular type of equipment are typically above the permissible 
limits, MSHA uses this information to solicit input from the equipment 
manufacturers in determining if engineering changes can be made to the 
equipment to reduce the noise levels to within permissible limits.
    Type of Review: Reinstatement.
    Agency: Mine Safety and Health Administration.
    Title: Noise Data Report Form and Calibration Records.
    OMB Number: 1219-0037.
    Agency Number: MSHA Form 2000-168.
    Recordkeeping: 1 year.
    Affected Public: Business or other for-profit.

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                                                                   Total        Average time  per       Burden
            30 CFR              Respondents      Frequency       responses          response            hours
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70.506:
    Calibrator................          971  Annually.........          971  3 min.................           49
    Dosimeter.................          971  Annually.........          971  3 min.................           49
70.508(a):
    Survey....................       47,998  Semi-Ann.........       95,996  15 min................       24,000
    Report....................       47,998  Semi-Ann.........       95,996  6 min.................        9,600
70.508(b):
    Survey/report.............          485  Semi-Ann.........          970  6 min.................           97
70.509:
    Survey....................          963  Annually.........          963  15 min................          241
    Report....................          963  Annually.........          963  6 min.................           96
71.803(a):
    Survey....................       47,340  Semi-Ann.........       94,680  15 min................       23,670
    Report....................       47,340  Semi-Ann.........       94,680  6 min.................        9,468
71.803(b):
    Certify...................          478  Semi-Ann.........          956  6 min.................           96
71.804(a):
    Survey....................          478  Annually.........          478  15 min................          120
    Report....................          478  Annually.........          478  6 min.................           48
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        Totals................      196,463  .................      388,102  ......................       67,534
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    Total Burden Cost (capital/startup): $0.
    Total Burden Cost (operating/maintaining): $423,040.
    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: May 18, 1999.
Theresa M. O'Malley,
Chief, Records Management Branch.
[FR Doc. 99-12913 Filed 5-20-99; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4510-43-M