[Federal Register Volume 69, Number 154 (Wednesday, August 11, 2004)]
[Notices]
[Pages 48897-48898]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 04-18326]


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DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Mine Safety and Health Administration


Proposed Information Collection Request Submitted for Public 
Comment and Recommendations; Health Standards for Diesel Particulates 
(Underground Metal and Nonmetal Mines)

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 57.5060, 57.5066, 57.5070, 57.5071, 
and 57.5075--Health Standards for Diesel Particulates (Underground 
Metal and Nonmetal Mines).

DATES: Submit comments on or before October 12, 2004.

ADDRESSES: Send comments to Melissa Stoehr, Acting Chief, Records 
Management Branch, 1100 Wilson Boulevard, Room 2134, Arlington, VA 
22209-3939. Commenters are encouraged to send their comments on 
computer disk, or via E-mail to [email protected]. Ms. Stoehr can 
be reached at (202) 693-9827 (voice), or (202) 693-9801 (facsimile).

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Contact the employee listed in the 
ADDRESSES section of this notice.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Background

    These sections require mine operators to take certain actions to 
limit the concentration of diesel particulate matter (DPM) to which 
metal and nonmetal miners are exposed in underground areas of a mine 
where miners normally work or travel. If a mine has technological 
constraints in meeting this time requirement, then the mine operator 
can file a special extension application after January 19, 2006, under 
Sec.  57.5060(c). Section 57.5071 requires mine operators to sample the 
air as often as necessary to determine that DPM concentrations do not 
exceed the limit. Also under this section, if a mine environment is 
above the DPM concentration limit, mine operators will have to take 
corrective actions and post the corrective actions taken. Mine 
operators must also provide adequate respiratory protection to 
overexposed miners and enroll them in a respiratory protection program 
until engineering and administrative controls are shown to be effective 
in limiting the DPM levels to the concentration limit.
    Mine operators must also take certain actions to ensure that 
diesel-powered equipment is maintained and operated in a manner that 
will limit DPM exposures. Section 57.5066(b) requires mine operators to 
tag diesel-powered equipment at any time there is any apparent 
emission-related defect in the equipment. Each time that there is an 
emission related problem on a diesel-powered machine and the machine is 
tagged, there also must be a record made of the equipment tagged. For 
each diesel machine that has been tagged, an examination must be 
conducted concerning the tagged equipment and a record must be made of 
the examination. Section 57.5066(c) requires operators to assure that 
miners performing emissions-related maintenance have adequate training 
or experience concerning the maintenance of diesel powered equipment.
    And, all miners at a mine who reasonably can expect to be exposed 
to diesel emissions on mine property must receive annual training in 
accordance with Sec.  57.5070(a)(1) through (a)(4).

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.
    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

    Under 30 CFR 57.5060, 57.5066, 57.5070, 57.5071, and 57.5075.
    Type of Review: Extension.

[[Page 48898]]

    Agency: Mine Safety and Health Administration.
    Title: Health Standards for Diesel Particulates (Underground Metal 
and Nonmetal Mines).
    OMB Number: 1219-0135.
    Affected Public: Business or other for-profit.
    Frequency: On occasion, semi-annually and quarterly.
    Affected Public: Business or other for-profit.
    Respondents: 196.
    Total Burden Hours: 2,738.
    Total Burden Cost (capital/startup): $0.
    Total Burden Cost (operating/maintaining): $562,791.
    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 5th day of August, 2004.
Melissa Stoehr,
Acting Director, Office of Administration and Management.
[FR Doc. 04-18326 Filed 8-10-04; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4510-43-P