[Federal Register Volume 67, Number 168 (Thursday, August 29, 2002)]
[Notices]
[Pages 55433-55435]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 02-22020]


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

DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Mine Safety and Health Administration


Proposed Information Collection Request Submitted for Public 
Comment and Recommendations; Noise Exposure Assessment; Audiometric 
Testing, Evaluation, and Records and Training in all Mines

AGENCY: Mine Safety and Health Administration, Labor.

ACTION: Notice.

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

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 the continuing collection 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 extension of the 
information collection related to the Noise Exposure Assessment; 
Audiometric Testing, Evaluation, and Records and Training in all Mines. 
MSHA is particularly interested in comments which:
     Evaluate whether the 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 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 information collection request can be obtained by 
contacting the employee listed below in the For Further Information 
Contact section of this notice.

[[Page 55434]]


DATES: Submit comments on or before October 28, 2002.

ADDRESSES: Send comments to David L. Meyer, Director, Office of 
Administration and Management, 1100 Wilson Boulevard, Room 2125, 
Arlington, VA 22209-3939. Commenters are encouraged to send their 
comments on a computer disk, or via Internet e-mail to [email protected], along with an original printed copy. Mr. Meyer can be 
reached at (202) 693-9802 (voice), or (202) 693-9801 (facsimile).

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Jane Tarr, Management Analyst, Records 
Management Group, U.S. Department of Labor, Mine Safety and Health 
Administration, Room 2171, 1100 Wilson Boulevard, Arlington, VA 22209-
3939. Ms. Tarr can be reached at [email protected] (Internet e-mail), 
(202) 693-9824 (voice), or (202) 693-9801 (facsimile). This Information 
Collection Request (ICB) may be viewed on the Internet by accessing the 
MSHA home page (http://www.msha.gov) and then choosing ``Statutory and 
Regulatory Information'' and ``Federal Register Documents.''

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:  

I. Background

    Noise is one of the most pervasive health hazards in mining. 
Exposure to hazardous sound levels results in the development of 
occupational noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL), a serious physical, 
psychological, and social problem. NIHL can be distinguished from aging 
and medical factors, diagnosed, and prevented. NIHL is among the ``top 
ten'' leading occupational diseases and injuries.
    For many years, the risk of acquiring an NIHL was accepted as an 
inevitable consequence associated with mining occupations. Miners use 
mechanized equipment and work under conditions that often expose them 
to hazardous sound levels. But MSHA standards, OSHA standards, military 
standards, and others around the world have been established in 
recognition of the controllability of this risk. Records of miner 
exposures are necessary so that mine operators and MSHA can evaluate 
the need for and effectiveness of engineering controls, administrative 
controls, and personal protective equipment to protect miners from 
harmful levels of exposure.

II. Current Actions

    Records of miner exposures are necessary so that mine operators and 
MSHA can ensure that engineering controls, administrative controls, and 
personal protective equipment are used to protect miners from harmful 
levels of exposure. However, the Agency believes that extensive records 
for this purpose now maintained by the coal mining sector are not 
needed, Part 62 replaced these requirements with a performance-oriented 
approach to monitoring. The final rule expanded notification of 
exposure information to miners to assist them in becoming more active 
participants in hearing conservation efforts.
    Hearing tests of miners are offered and if a miner takes the test 
mine operators are required to compile and maintain a record of each 
audiometric test. Detection of a hearing loss can trigger certain 
protective actions under Part 62. The record will be used by mine 
operators and MSHA to verify that the testing was done and the required 
actions implemented.
    Part 62 also requires the mine operator to provide training to 
overexposed miners about the hazards of noise exposure, hearing 
protector selection and use, the hearing test program, and the 
operator's noise controls. Records of training are needed to confirm 
that miners receive the information they need to become active 
participants in hearing conservation efforts. There is no existing 
requirement for such records; however, training records required under 
other MSHA regulations are used for similar purposes.
    Type of Review: Extension.
    Agency: Mine Safety and Health Administration.
    Title: Noise exposure assessment; audiometric testing, evaluation, 
and records and training in all mines.
    Affected Public: Business or other for-profit institutions.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                             Average
                                           Total                                   Total    time per    Burden
            Cite/reference              respondents          Frequency           responses  response     hours
                                                                                             (hours)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
62.110(a).............................       13,552  Annually.................       5,782       3.0      14,960
62.110(c).............................       13,552  Occasion.................      80,699      0.09       7,028
62.110(d).............................       13,552  Occasion.................     215,977      0.09      18,373
62.130................................       13,552  Occasion.................      26,039      0.05       1,263
62.170(b).............................       13,552  Occasion.................     157,783      0.09      13,656
62.171(b).............................       13,552  Occasion.................      34,203      0.09       3,061
62.172(a)(1)..........................       13,552  Occasion.................      34,203      0.09       2,918
62.172(a)(3)..........................       13,552  Occasion.................       1,822       0.3         547
62.173(a).............................       13,552  Occasion.................         240      0.09          21
62.173(b).............................       13,552  Occasion.................          61      0.15           9
62.173(c).............................       13,552  Occasion.................          61      0.15           9
62.174(a).............................       13,552  Occasion.................       5,000      0.08         396
62.175(a)(1)..........................       13,552  Occasion.................      39,583      0.09       3,624
62.175(a)(2)..........................       13,552  Occasion.................       4,951       0.1         493
62.180(a).............................       13,552  Occasion.................      14,702      0.35       5,146
62.180(b).............................       13,552  Occasion.................     171,965      0.14      23,394
62.190(b).............................       13,552  Occasion.................      27,678      0.16       4,408
62.190(c).............................       13,552  Occasion.................       1,094      0.64         704
                                       -------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Total.............................       13,552  .........................     821,843  ........    100,010
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Discrepancies due to rounding.

    Total Burden Cost (capital/startup): $0.
    Total Burden Cost (operating/maintaining): $4,151,367.
    Comments submitted in response to this notice will be summarized 
and/or

[[Page 55435]]

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: August 23, 2002.
David L. Meyer,
Director, Office of Administration and Management.
[FR Doc. 02-22020 Filed 8-28-02; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4510-43-M