[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 238 (Monday, December 13, 1999)]
[Notices]
[Pages 69551-69552]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-32196]


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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 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 
and 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.


[[Page 69552]]


DATES: Submit comments on or before February 11, 2000.

ADDRESSES: Send comments to Diane B. Hill, Program Analysis Officer, 
Office of Program Evaluation and Information Resources, 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. Hill can be 
reached at (703) 235-1470 (voice) or (703) 235-1563 (facsimile).

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: A copy of the proposed information 
collection request can be obtained by contacting Diane B. Hill, 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. Ms. Hill can be reached at [email protected] (Internet E-mail), 
(703) 235-1470 (voice), or (703) 235-1563 (facsimile).

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Background

    Section 206 of the Federal Mine Safety and Health Act of 1977 
authorize the recordkeeping and reporting requirements implemented 
under 30 CFR 70.510 and 71.805--Noise Standards.
    Each operator of a coal mine who has received a notice of violation 
for noise levels in excess of the permissible standard, is required to 
submit to MSHA for approval, a continuing, effective hearing 
conservation plan. This plan must contain methods of reducing 
environmental noise levels; provisions for personal protective devices 
to be available to affected miners; and provisions for pre-employment 
and periodic audiograms.

II. Desired Focus of Comments

    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.

III. Current Actions

    MSHA seeks to continue the frequency of collection in order for the 
Agency to properly assess the effectiveness of the plan, and monitor 
the safety and health conditions in today's mining environment.
    Type of Review: Extension.
    Agency: Mine Safety and Health Administration.
    Title: Hearing Conservation Plan.
    OMB Number: 1219-0017.
    Affected Public: Business or other.

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                                                                                   Average time
        Cite/reference              Total          Frequency           Total       per response    Burden hours
                                 respondents                         responses        (hours)
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70.510(b) (Plans)............              11  Annually.........              11               6              66
                                           82  Annually.........              82               4             328
70.510(b)(iii) (audio tests).              11  Annually.........              55               1              55
                                           74  Biennially.......             185               1             185
71.805(b) (Plans)............              12  Annually.........              12               6              72
                                          153  Annually.........             153               4             612
71.805(b)(iii) (audio tests).              12  Annually.........              60               1              60
                                          138  Biennially.......             345               1             345
                              ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Totals...................             235  .................             903            1.91           1,723
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    Total Burden Cost (capital/startup): $0.
    Total Burden Cost (operating/maintaining): $29,670.
    Comments submitted in response to this notice will be summarized 
and/or included in the request for Office of Management and Budget 
approval of this information collection request; they will also become 
a matter of public record.

    Dated: December 6, 1999.
George M. Fesak,
Director, Program Evaluation and Information Resources.
[FR Doc. 99-32196 Filed 12-10-99; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4510-43-M