[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 5 (Monday, January 8, 2018)]
[Notices]
[Pages 815-816]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2018-00140]


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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

[30Day-18-17AUQ]


Agency Forms Undergoing Paperwork Reduction Act Review

    In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, the Centers 
for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has submitted the information 
collection request titled Mobile Proximity Initial User Feedback to the 
Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for review and approval. CDC 
previously published a ``Proposed Data Collection Submitted for Public 
Comment and Recommendations'' notice on September 6, 2017 to obtain 
comments from the public and affected agencies. CDC did not receive 
comments related to the previous notice. This notice serves to allow an 
additional 30 days for public and affected agency comments.
    CDC will accept all comments for this proposed information 
collection project. The Office of Management and Budget is particularly 
interested in comments that:
    (a) 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;
    (b) Evaluate the accuracy of the agencies estimate of the burden of 
the proposed collection of information, including the validity of the 
methodology and assumptions used;
    (c) Enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to 
be collected;
    (d) 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 submission of responses; and
    (e) Assess information collection costs.
    To request additional information on the proposed project or to 
obtain a copy of the information collection plan and instruments, call 
(404) 639-7570 or send an email to [email protected]. Direct written comments 
and/or suggestions regarding the items contained in this notice to the 
Attention: CDC Desk Officer, Office of Management and Budget, 725 17th 
Street NW, Washington, DC 20503 or by fax to (202) 395-5806. Provide 
written comments within 30 days of notice publication.

Proposed Project

    Mobile Proximity Initial User Feedback--NEW--National Institute for 
Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), Centers for Disease Control and 
Prevention (CDC).

[[Page 816]]

Background and Brief Description

    The mission of the National Institute for Occupational Safety and 
Health (NIOSH) is to promote safety and health at work for all people 
through research and prevention. The study will be conducted by NIOSH 
under the Federal Mine Safety and Health Act of 1977, Public Law 91-173 
as amended by Public Law 95-164. Title V, Section 501 (a) states NIOSH 
has the responsibility to conduct research ``to improve working 
conditions and practices in coal or others mines, and to prevent 
accidents and occupational diseases originating in the coal or other 
mining industry (Federal Mine and Safety and Health Act, 1977, Title V, 
Sec. 501).''
    Striking, pinning and crushing injuries are serious concerns in 
underground coal mining, especially around mobile equipment. Between 
2010 and 2014 powered haulage accounted for 24 of the 110 underground 
coal fatalities. During that same time period, the Mine Safety and 
Health Administration (MSHA) determined that up to nine of these 
fatalities were striking, pinning, or crushing accidents, which may 
have been prevented by proximity detection systems on coal haulage 
machines or scoops. Following the final rule requiring proximity 
detection systems on continuous mining machines, on September 2, 2015, 
MSHA published a proposed rule requiring proximity systems on mobile 
machines in underground coal mines. Though it is still under 
development, MSHA reported that by June of 2015, 155 of approximately 
2,116 coal haulage machines and scoops had been equipped with proximity 
detection systems. However, in recent discussions with NIOSH personnel, 
some mine operators have disclosed suspending the use of proximity 
detection systems on mobile equipment due to challenges integrating the 
systems into daily operations. This has further prompted concerns about 
how proximity detection systems are being utilized.
    The goal of this study is to reduce the risk of traumatic injuries 
and fatalities among mine workers through assessing the current state 
of proximity systems for underground mobile equipment. NIOSH is seeking 
a one-year OMB approval in order to collect information to address two 
key questions: (1) In which situations do proximity detection systems 
on mobile haulage hinder normal operation? (2) In which situations do 
proximity detection systems on mobile haulage endanger miners? Data 
will be used to inform the development of technologies, engineering 
controls, administrative controls, best practices, and training 
approaches that eliminate striking fatalities and injuries caused by 
mobile mining equipment.
    The study population includes mine workers in various maintenance 
and production roles that work in underground coal mines in the United 
States. Total annual time burden for this study is 45 hours, including 
recruitment of mines and 250 semi-formal interviews. Since workers will 
continue to perform their assigned duties during the optional group 
observations, a burden estimate was not calculated for this activity.

                                        Estimated Annualized Burden Hours
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                                                                                                      Average
                                                                     Number of       Number of      burden per
          Type of respondents                   Form name           respondents    responses per   response  (in
                                                                                    respondent        hours)
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Mine Operators........................  Mine Recruitment Scripts              12               1           15/60
Crew members..........................  Interview Protocol......             250               1           10/60
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Leroy A. Richardson,
Chief, Information Collection Review Office, Office of Scientific 
Integrity, Office of the Associate Director for Science, Office of the 
Director, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
[FR Doc. 2018-00140 Filed 1-5-18; 8:45 am]
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