[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 112 (Monday, June 11, 2018)]
[Notices]
[Pages 27028-27029]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2018-12461]


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DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Mine Safety and Health Administration

[OMB Control No. 1219-0120]


Proposed Extension of Information Collection; Occupational Noise 
Exposure

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 collections of information 
in accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995. 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

[[Page 27029]]

requirements on respondents can be properly assessed. Currently, the 
Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) is soliciting comments on 
the information collection for Occupational Noise Exposure.

DATES: All comments must be received on or before August 10, 2018.

ADDRESSES: Comments concerning the information collection requirements 
of this notice 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 for docket 
number MSHA-2018-0020.
     Regular Mail: Send comments to USDOL-MSHA, Office of 
Standards, Regulations, and Variances, 201 12th Street South, Suite 
4E401, Arlington, VA 22202-5452.
     Hand Delivery: USDOL-Mine Safety and Health 
Administration, 201 12th Street South, Suite 4E401, Arlington, VA 
22202-5452. Sign in at the receptionist's desk on the 4th floor via the 
East elevator.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Sheila McConnell, Director, Office of 
Standards, Regulations, and Variances, MSHA, at 
[email protected] (email); (202) 693-9440 (voice); 
or (202) 693-9441 (facsimile).

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

I. Background

    Section 103(h) of the Federal Mine Safety and Health Act of 1977 
(Mine Act), 30 U.S.C. Section 813, authorizes MSHA to collect 
information necessary to carry out its duty in protecting the safety 
and health of miners. Further, Section 101(a) of the Mine Act, 30 
U.S.C., 811 authorizes the Secretary of Labor (Secretary) to 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.
    Noise is a harmful physical agent and one of the most pervasive 
health hazards in mining. Repeated exposure to high levels of sound 
over time causes occupational noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL), a 
serious, often profound physical impairment in mining, with far-
reaching psychological and social effects. NIHL can be distinguished 
from aging and other factors that can contribute to hearing loss and it 
can be prevented. According to the National Institute for Occupational 
Safety and Health, NIHL is among the ``top ten'' leading occupational 
illnesses and injuries.
    For many years, NIHL was regarded as an inevitable consequence of 
working in a mine. Mining, an intensely mechanized industry, relies on 
drills, crushers, compressors, conveyors, trucks, loaders, and other 
heavy-duty equipment for the excavation, haulage, and processing of 
material. This equipment creates high sound levels, exposing machine 
operators as well as miners working nearby. MSHA, the Occupational 
Safety and Health Administration, the military, and other organizations 
around the world have established and enforced standards to reduce the 
loss of hearing. Quieter equipment, isolation of workers from noise 
sources, and limiting the time workers are exposed to noise are among 
the many well-accepted methods that will prevent the costly incidence 
of NIHL.
    Records of miner exposures to noise 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 noise that can 
result in hearing loss. However, the Agency believes that extensive 
records for this purpose are not needed. These requirements are a 
performance-oriented approach to monitoring. Records of miner hearing 
examinations enable mine operators and MSHA to ensure that the controls 
are effective in preventing NIHL for individual miners. Records of 
training are needed to confirm that miners receive the information they 
need to become active participants in hearing conservation efforts.

II. Desired Focus of Comments

    MSHA is soliciting comments concerning the proposed information 
collection related to Occupational Noise Exposure. 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 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
     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.
    The information collection request will be available on http://www.regulations.gov. MSHA cautions the commenter against providing any 
information in the submission that should not be publicly disclosed. 
Full comments, including personal information provided, will be made 
available on www.regulations.gov and www.reginfo.gov.
    The public may also examine publicly available documents at USDOL-
Mine Safety and Health Administration, 201 12th South, Suite 4E401, 
Arlington, VA 22202-5452. Sign in at the receptionist's desk on the 4th 
floor via the East elevator.
    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

    This request for collection of information contains provisions for 
Occupational Noise Exposure. MSHA has updated the data with respect to 
the number of respondents, responses, burden hours, and burden costs 
supporting this information collection request.
    Type of Review: Extension, without change, of a currently approved 
collection.
    Agency: Mine Safety and Health Administration.
    OMB Number: 1219-0120.
    Affected Public: Business or other for-profit.
    Number of Respondents: 12,953.
    Frequency: On occasion.
    Number of Responses: 184,435.
    Annual Burden Hours: 13,680 hours.
    Annual Respondent or Recordkeeper Cost: $31,926.
    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.

Sheila McConnell,
Certifying Officer.
[FR Doc. 2018-12461 Filed 6-8-18; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4510-43-P