[Federal Register Volume 73, Number 198 (Friday, October 10, 2008)]
[Notices]
[Pages 60357-60358]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E8-24038]


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DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Mine Safety and Health Administration


Proposed Information Collection RequestSubmitted for Public 
Comment and Recommendations; Noise Exposure Assessment; Audiometric 
Testing, Evaluation, and Records and Training in All 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 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.

DATES: Submit comments on or before December 9, 2008.

ADDRESSES: Send comments to U.S. Department of Labor, Mine Safety and 
Health Administration, Debbie Ferraro, Management Services Division, 
1100 Wilson Boulevard, Room 2141, 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. Ms. Ferraro can be reached at (202) 693-

[[Page 60358]]

9821 (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

    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. Desired Focus of Comments

    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 that:
     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 proposed information collection request can be 
obtained by contacting the employee listed in the ADDRESSES section of 
this notice or viewed on the internet by accessing the MSHA home page 
(http://www.msha.gov/) and selecting ``Rules and Regs'', and then 
selecting ``Fed Reg Docs.''

III. 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.
    OMB Number: 1219-0120.
    Affected Public: Business or other for-profit institutions.
    Respondents: 14,726.
    Responses: 764,753.
    Burden Hours: 84,146.
    Total Burden Cost (operating/maintaining): $5,472,084.
    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 October 2008.
David L. Meyer,
Director, Office of Administration and Management.
 [FR Doc. E8-24038 Filed 10-9-08; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4510-43-P