[Federal Register Volume 77, Number 198 (Friday, October 12, 2012)]
[Notices]
[Pages 62267-62268]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2012-25076]


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DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Mine Safety and Health Administration

[OMB Control No. 1219-0039]


Proposed Extension of Existing Information Collection; Gamma 
Radiation Surveys

AGENCY: Mine Safety and Health Administration, Labor.

ACTION: Request for public comments.

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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 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 57.5047. OMB last approved this information 
collection request (ICR) on February 1, 2010.

DATES: All comments must be postmarked or received by midnight Eastern 
Standard Time on December 11, 2012.

ADDRESSES: Comments concerning the information collection requirements 
of this notice must be clearly identified with ``OMB 1219-0039'' 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 1219-0039'' 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

    Gamma radiation occurs where radioactive materials are present. It 
has been associated with lung cancer and other debilitating 
occupational diseases. Natural sources include rocks, soils, and ground 
water. Gamma radiation hazards may be found near radiation sources at 
surface operations using X-ray machines, weightometers, nuclear and 
diffraction units. Nuclear gauges mounted outside tanks, pipes, bins, 
hoppers or other types of vessels; gamma rays are used to sense the 
level and density of liquids, slurries or solids.
    Gamma rays penetrate the body and can kill or damage cells in their 
path which can affect many of the body's organs. The adverse health 
effects from exposure to gamma radiation can vary depending upon the 
type of cell affected and the extent of damage.
    Under Section 103(c) of the Federal Mine Safety and Health Act of 
1977 (Mine Act), the Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) is 
required to ``* * * issue regulations requiring operators to maintain 
accurate records of employee exposures to potentially toxic materials 
or harmful physical agents which are required to be monitored or 
measured under any applicable mandatory health or safety standard 
promulgated under this Act.'' In addition, 30 CFR 57.5047(a) requires 
that gamma radiation surveys be conducted annually in all underground 
mines where radioactive ores are mined. 30 CFR 57.5047(c) requires that 
gamma radiation dosimeters be provided for all persons exposed to 
average gamma radiation measurements in excess of 2.0 milliroentgens 
per hour in the working place. This paragraph also requires the 
operator keep records of cumulative individual gamma radiation 
exposures.

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 Gamma Radiation Surveys. 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

[[Page 62268]]

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 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 in respect to the number of respondents and responses, 
as well as the total burden hours and burden costs supporting this 
information collection extension request.
    MSHA does not intend to publish the results from this information 
collection and is not seeking approval to either display or not display 
the expiration date for the OMB approval of this information 
collection.
    There are no certification exceptions identified with this 
information collection and the collection of this information does not 
employ statistical methods.

Summary

    Type of Review: Extension.
    Agency: Mine Safety and Health Administration.
    Title: Gamma Radiation Surveys.
    OMB Number: 1219-0039.
    Affected Public: Business or other for-profit.
    Cite/Reference/Form/etc: 30 CFR 57.5047(a) and (c).
    Total Number of Respondents: 4.
    Frequency: 1.
    Total Number of Responses: 4.
    Total Burden Hours: 8 hours.
    Total Other Annual Cost Burden: $0.
    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: October 5, 2012.
George F. Triebsch,
Certifying Officer.
[FR Doc. 2012-25076 Filed 10-11-12; 8:45 am]
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