[Federal Register Volume 74, Number 53 (Friday, March 20, 2009)]
[Notices]
[Pages 11973-11974]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E9-6030]


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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 
Matter (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, 57.5065, 57.5066, 57.5067, 
57.5070, 57.5071, and 57.5075--Health Standards for Diesel Particulates 
Matter (Underground Metal and Nonmetal Mines).

DATES: Submit comments on or before May 19, 2009.

ADDRESSES: Send comments to, Debbie Ferraro, Management Services 
Division, 1100 Wilson Boulevard, Room 2141, Arlington, VA 22209-3939. 
Commenters are encouraged to send their comments on computer disk, or 
via e-mail to [email protected]. Ms. Ferraro can be reached at 
(202) 693-9821 (voice), or (202) 693-9801 (facsimile).

[[Page 11974]]


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

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

I. Background

    Diesel particulate matter (DPM) is a probable carcinogen that 
consists of tiny particles present in diesel engine exhaust that can 
readily penetrate into the deepest recesses of the lungs. Despite 
ventilation, the confined underground mine work environment may 
contribute to significant concentrations of particles produced by 
equipment used in the mine. Underground miners are exposed to higher 
concentrations of DPM than any other occupational group. As a result, 
they face a significantly greater risk than other workers of developing 
such diseases as lung cancer, heart failure, serious allergic responses 
and other cardiopulmonary problems.
    The DPM rule for underground Metal and Nonmetal (MNM) miners 
establishes a permissible exposure limit (PEL) to total carbon, which 
is a surrogate for measuring a miner's exposure to DPM. The rule 
includes a number of other requirements for the protection of miners' 
health.

II. Desired Focus of Comments

    MSHA is particularly interested in comments that:
     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 ADDRESSES section of 
this notice, or viewed on the Internet by accessing the MSHA home page 
(http://www.msha.gov/) and selecting ``Rules & Regs'', and then 
selecting ``FedReg. Docs''. On the next screen, select ``Paperwork 
Reduction Act Supporting Statement'' to view documents supporting the 
Federal Register Notice.

III. Current Actions

    Currently, the Mine Safety and Health Administration is soliciting 
comments concerning the proposed extension of the information 
collection requirement related to the health standard requirements for 
the protection of miners' health related to Diesel particulate matter 
for underground Metal and Nonmetal mines.
    Underground mines are confined spaces which, despite ventilation 
requirements, tend to accumulate significant concentrations of 
particles and gases--both those produced by the mine itself (e.g., 
methane gas and respirable dust) and those produced by equipment used 
in the mine (e.g., diesel particulate). It is widely recognized that 
respirable particles can create adverse health effects. This 
information collection is provided to the MSHA inspector and used by 
the agency to monitor the mine operator's compliance with the health 
standard.
    Type of Review: Extension.
    Agency: Mine Safety and Health Administration.
    Title: Health Standards for Diesel Particulates Matter (Underground 
Metal and Nonmetal Mines).
    OMB Number: 1219-0135.
    Frequency: On Occasion.
    Affected Public: Business or other for-profit.
    Respondents: 173.
    Responses: 18,752.
    Total Burden Hours: 3,331 hours.
    Total Burden Cost (operating/maintaining): $176,363.
    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 16th day of March, 2009.
John Rowlett,
Director, Management Services Division.
[FR Doc. E9-6030 Filed 3-19-09; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4510-43-P