[Federal Register Volume 72, Number 46 (Friday, March 9, 2007)]
[Notices]
[Page 10765]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 07-1119]


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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES


National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health; Notice of 
Public Input Opportunity

AGENCY: National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), 
Department of Health and Human Services (HHS).

SUMMARY: The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health 
(NIOSH) announces the following availability of opportunity for the 
public to provide input regarding the draft document, ``Explosion 
Pressure Design Criteria for New Seals in U.S. Mines.''
    NIOSH is the Federal agency responsible for conducting research and 
making recommendations for the prevention of occupational injuries and 
illnesses, including those occurring in the mining industry. Federal 
Mine Safety and Health Act, 30 U.S.C. 951.
    Seals are dam-like structures constructed in underground coal mines 
throughout the U.S. to isolate abandoned mining panels or groups of 
panels from the active workings. Historically, mining regulations 
required seals to withstand a 140 kPa (20 psi) explosion pressure; 
however, the 2006 MINER Act requires MSHA to increase this design 
standard by the end of 2007. This report provides a sound scientific 
and engineering justification to recommend a three-tiered explosion 
pressure design criteria for new seals in coal mines in response to the 
MINER Act. Much of the information contained in this report also 
applies to existing seals.
    A copy of the draft document can be found at: http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/review/public/mineseal/.
    Comments should be submitted to the NIOSH Docket Office, Robert A. 
Taft Laboratories, 4676 Columbia Parkway, M/S C-34, Cincinnati, OH 
45226, telephone 513/533-8450, fax 513/533-8285, [email protected]. 
Comments may also be submitted directly through the Web site http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/review/public/mineseal/comments.html.
    The document will remain available for comment until March 12, 
2007. Comments should reference docket number NIOSH-100 in the subject 
heading.
    All information received in response to this notice will be 
available for public examination and copying at the NIOSH Docket 
Office, Room 111, 4676 Columbia Parkway, Cincinnati, Ohio 45226.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Jeffery Kohler, PhD, NIOSH Associate 
Director for Mining and Construction, 626 Cochrans Mill Road, 
Pittsburgh, PA 15236, 412-386-6544.

John Howard,
Director, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health.
[FR Doc. 07-1119 Filed 3-8-07; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4160-17-M