[Federal Register Volume 77, Number 107 (Monday, June 4, 2012)]
[Notices]
[Pages 33002-33003]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2012-13400]


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DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Mine Safety and Health Administration

[OMB Control No. 1219-0135]


Proposed Extension of Existing Information Collection; Health 
Standards for Diesel Particulate Matter Exposure (Underground Metal and 
Nonmetal Miners)

AGENCY: Mine Safety and Health Administration, Labor.

ACTION: Request for public comments.

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SUMMARY: As part of its continuing effort to reduce paperwork and 
respondent burden, the Department of Labor conducts a pre-clearance 
consultation program to provide the general public and Federal agencies 
with an opportunity to comment on proposed and continuing collections 
of information in accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995. 
This program helps to assure 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 is 
soliciting comments concerning the extension of the information 
collection for 30 CFR 57.5060; 57.5065; 57.5066; 57.5070; 57.5071; and 
57.5075. OMB last approved this information collection request on 
September 28, 2009. The collection expires on September 30, 2012.

DATES: All comments must be postmarked or received by midnight Eastern 
Time on August 3, 2012.

ADDRESSES: Comments concerning the information collection requirements 
of this notice must be clearly identified with ``OMB 1219-0135'' and 
sent to the Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA). Comments may 
be sent by any of the methods listed below.
     Federal E-Rulemaking Portal: http://www.regulations.gov. 
Follow the on-line instructions for submitting comments.
     Facsimile: 202-693-9441, include ``OMB 1219-0135'' in the 
subject line of the message.
     Regular Mail or Hand Delivery: MSHA, Office of Standards, 
Regulations, and Variances, 1100 Wilson Boulevard, Room 2350, 
Arlington, VA 22209-3939. For hand delivery, sign in at the 
receptionist's desk on the 21st floor.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Greg Moxness, Chief, Economic Analysis 
Division, Office of Standards, Regulations, and Variances, MSHA, at 
[email protected]. (email); 202-693-9440 (voice); or 202-693-9441 
(facsimile).

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Background

    Under Section 101(a) of the Federal Mine Safety and Health Act of 
1977 (Mine Act), and Title 5, United States Code, Section 553, the 
Secretary of Labor shall develop, promulgate, and revise as may be 
appropriate, improved mandatory health or safety standards for the 
protection of life and prevention of injuries in coal or other mines.
    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.
    This information collection addresses the recordkeeping associated 
with:

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Sec.   57.5060.........................  Limit on exposure to diesel
                                          particulate matter.
Sec.   57.5065.........................  Fueling practices.
Sec.   57.5066.........................  Maintenance standards.
Sec.   57.5070.........................  Miner training.
Sec.   57.5071.........................  Exposure monitoring.
Sec.   57.5075.........................  Diesel particulate records.
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II. Desired Focus of Comments

    The Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) is soliciting 
comments concerning the proposed extension of the information 
collection related to the health standards for diesel particulates 
matter in underground metal and nonmetal 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 has practical utility;
     Evaluate the accuracy of the MSHA's estimate of the burden 
of the collection of information, including the validity of the 
methodology and assumptions used;
     Suggest methods to enhance the quality, utility, and 
clarity of the information to be collected; and
     Address 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), to minimize the burden of the collection of information on 
those who are to respond.
    The public may examine publicly available documents, including the 
public comment version of the supporting statement, at MSHA, Office of 
Standards, Regulations, and Variances, 1100 Wilson Boulevard, Room 
2350, Arlington, VA 22209-3939. OMB clearance requests are available on 
MSHA's Web site at http://www.msha.gov under ``Rules & Regs'' on the 
right side of the screen by selecting Information Collections Requests, 
Paperwork Reduction Act Supporting Statements. The document will be 
available on MSHA's Web site for 60 days after the publication date of 
this notice. Comments submitted in writing or in electronic form will 
be made available for public inspection. Because comments will not be 
edited to remove

[[Page 33003]]

any identifying or contact information, MSHA cautions the commenter 
against including any information in the submission that should not be 
publicly disclosed. Questions about the information collection 
requirements may be directed to the person listed in the FOR FURTHER 
INFORMATION section of this notice.

III. Current Actions

    The information obtained from mine operators is used by MSHA during 
inspections to determine compliance with this health standard. MSHA has 
updated the data with respect to the number of respondents and 
responses, as well as the total burden hours and burden costs 
supporting this information collection extension request.

Summary

    Type of Review: Extension.
    Agency: Mine Safety and Health Administration.
    Title: Health Standards for Diesel Particulates Matter in 
Underground Metal and Nonmetal Mines.
    OMB Number: 1219-0135.
    Affected Public: Business or other for-profit.
    Cite/Reference/Form/etc.: 30 CFR 57.5060, 57.5065, 57.5066, 
57.5070, 57.5071, and 57.5075.
    Total Number of Respondents: 173.
    Frequency: Various.
    Total Number of Responses: 28,022.
    Total Burden Hours: 3,329 hours.
    Total Annual Cost Burden: $509,532.
    Comments submitted in response to this notice will be summarized 
and 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.

    Authority: 44 U.S.C. 3506(c)(2)(A).

    Dated: May 29, 2012.
George F. Triebsch,
Certifying Officer.
[FR Doc. 2012-13400 Filed 6-1-12; 8:45 am]
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