[Federal Register Volume 68, Number 174 (Tuesday, September 9, 2003)]
[Notices]
[Pages 53199-53200]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 03-22897]


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DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Mine Safety and Health Administration


Proposed Information Collection Request Submitted for Public 
Comment and Recommendations; Gamma Radiation Exposure 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 pre-clearance 
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 requirements 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 the 30 CFR Sections 57.5047; Gamma Radiation 
Exposure Records.

DATES: Submit comments on or before November 10, 2003.

ADDRESSES: Send comments to Jane Tarr, Management Analyst, 
Administration and Management 1100 Wilson Boulevard, Room 2171, 
Arlington, VA 22209-3939. Commenters are encouraged to send their 
comments on computer disk, or via Internet E-mail to [email protected]. Ms. Tarr can be reached at (202) 693-9824 (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).

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

[[Page 53200]]

I. Background

    Under Section 103(c) of the Federal Mine Safety and Health Act of 
1977, the Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) is required to 
``* * * issue regulations required operators to maintain accurate 
records of employee exposures to potentially toxic materials or harmful 
physical agents which are required to be monitored or measured under 
any applicable mandatory health or safety standard promulgated under 
this Act.''
    Gamma radiation occurs anywhere that radioactive materials are 
present, and has been associated with lunch cancer and other 
debilitating occupational diseases. Gamma radiation hazards may be 
found near radiation sources at surface operations using X-ray 
machines, weightometers, nuclear and diffraction units.

II. Desired Focus of Comments

    MSHA is particularly interested in comments which:
    [sbull] 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;
    [sbull] 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;
    [sbull] Enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the 
information to be collected; and
    [sbull] 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 in the For Further 
Information Contact section of this notice, or 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.''

III. Current Actions

    Annual gamma radiation surveys are required to be conducted--in all 
underground mines where radioactive ores are mined. Where the average 
gamma radiation measurements are in excess of 2.0 milliroentgens per 
hour in the working place, all persons affected are to be provided with 
gamma radiation dosimeters and records of cumulative individual gamma 
radiation exposures be kept.
    Type of Review: Extension.
    Agency: Mine Safety and Health Administration.
    Title: Gamma Radiation Exposure Records.
    OMB Number: 1219-0039.
    Recordkeeping: Records of cummulative occupational radiation 
exposures aid in the protection of workers, in the control of 
subsequent radiation exposure, and are used by MSHA in evaluation of 
the effectiveness of the protection program in demonstrating compliance 
with regulatory requirements.
    Frequency: Annually.
    Affected Public: Business or other for-profit.
    Respondents: 2.
    Average Time Per Respondent: 1 hour.
    Total Burden Hours: 2 hours.
    Total Burden Cost (capital/startup): $0.
    Total Burden Cost (operating/maintaining): $0.
    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 at Arlington, Virginia, this 2nd day of September, 2003.
David L. Meyer,
Director, Office of Administration and Management.
[FR Doc. 03-22897 Filed 9-8-03; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4510-43-P