[Federal Register Volume 66, Number 212 (Thursday, November 1, 2001)]
[Notices]
[Pages 55206-55207]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 01-27451]


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DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Mine Safety and Health Administration


Proposed Information Collection Request Submitted for Public 
Comment and Recommendations; Respirator Program 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 proposed and/or 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 rquriements on respondents can be properly assessed.
    Currently, the Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) is 
soliciting comments concerning the extension of the information 
collection related to respirator program 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.

[[Page 55207]]

    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 December 31, 2001.

ADDRESSES: Send comments to Gordon J. Burke, Jr., Director, 
Administration and Management, 4015 Wilson Boulevard, Room 615, 
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. Mr. Burke can be reached at (703) 
235-1383 (voice) or (703) 235-1563 (facsimile).

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Charlene Barnard, Records Management 
Division, Administration and Management, U.S. Department of Labor, Mine 
Safety and Health Administration, Room 725, 4015 Wilson Boulevard, 
Arlington, VA 22203-1984. Ms. Barnard can be reached at [email protected] (Internet E-mail), (703) 235-1470 (voice), or (703) 
235-1563 (facsimile).

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Background

    Section 101(a)(7) of the Mine Act mandates in part that mandatory 
standards prescribe the use of protective equipment where appropriate 
to protect miners against hazards. Where protective equipment or 
respirators are required because of exposure to harmful substances, 
MSHA must ensure that such equipment offers adequate protection for 
workers. A written respirator program that addresses such issues as 
selection, fitting, use, and maintenance of respirators is essential 
for ensuring that workers are properly and effectively using the 
equipment. Records of fit-testing are essential for determining that 
the worker is wearing the proper respirator.
    Title 30 CAR sections 56.5005 and 57.5005 require metal and 
nonmetal mine operators to institute a respirator program governing 
selection, maintenance, training, fitting, supervision, cleaning and 
use of respirators. To control those occupational diseases caused by 
breathing air contaminated with harmful dusts, fumes, mists, gases, or 
vapors, the primary objective is to prevent atmospheric contamination. 
MSHA's current policy, as prescribed by regulation, is to require that 
this be accomplished by feasible engineering measures. When effective 
controls are not feasible, or while they are being instituted, or 
during occasional entry into hazardous atmospheres to perform 
maintenance or investigations, appropriate respirators are to be used 
in accordance with established procedures protecting the miners.
    Sections 56.5005 and 57.5005 incorporate by reference requirements 
of the American National Standards Institute (ANSI Z88.2-1969). These 
incorporated requirements mandate that miners who must wear respirators 
be fit-tested to the respirators that they will use. Certain records 
also required to be kept in connection with respirators, including 
records of the date of issuance of the respirator, and fit-test 
results. The fit-testing records are essential for determining that the 
worker is wearing the proper respirator.

II. Current Actions

    The mine opertor uses the information to properly issue respiratory 
protection to miners when feasible engineering and/or administrative 
controls do not reduce the exposure to permissible levels. Fit-testing 
records are used to ensure that a respirator worn by an individual is 
in fact the one for which that individual received a tight fit. MSHA 
uses the information to determine compliance with the standard.
    Type of Review: Extension.
    Agency: Mine Safety and Health Administration.
    Title: Respirator Program Records.
    MOB Number: 1219-0048.
    Record keeping: None.
    Affected Public: Business or other for-profit.
    Cite/Reference/Form/etc: 30 CFR 56.5005 and 57.5005.
    Total Respondents: 310.
    Frequency: On occasion.
    Total Responses: 5,530.
    Average Time per Response: 4.04 hours.
    Estimated Total Burden Hours: 2,235 hours.
    Total Burden Cost (capital/startup): None.
    Total Burden Cost (operating/maintaining): $156,350.
    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: October 26, 2001.
Gordon J. Burke, Jr.,
Director, Administration and Management and Information Resources.
[FR Doc. 01-27451 Filed 10-31-01; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4510-43-M