[Federal Register Volume 87, Number 86 (Wednesday, May 4, 2022)]
[Notices]
[Pages 26374-26375]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2022-09540]


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DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Mine Safety and Health Administration

[OMB Control No. 1219-0039]


Proposed Extension of 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 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 (MSHA) is 
soliciting comments on the information collection for Gamma Radiation 
Surveys.

DATES: All comments must be received on or before July 5, 2022.

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-2022-0021.
     Mail/Hand Delivery: Mail or visit DOL-MSHA, Office of 
Standards, Regulations, and Variances, 201 12th Street South, Suite 
4E401, Arlington, VA 22202-5452. Before visiting MSHA in person, call 
202-693-9455 to make an appointment, in keeping with the Department of 
Labor's COVID-19 policy. Special health precautions may be required.
     MSHA will post your comment as well as any attachments, 
except for information submitted and marked as confidential, in the 
docket at https://www.regulations.gov.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: S. Aromie Noe, 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

    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 use gamma rays to sense the level and 
density of liquids, slurries or solids. Gamma rays can penetrate the 
human body and can kill or damage cells in their path that 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 that the 
operator keep records of cumulative individual gamma radiation 
exposures.

II. Desired Focus of Comments

    MSHA is soliciting comments concerning the proposed 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

[[Page 26375]]

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. Before visiting MSHA in person, call 202-
693-9455 to make an appointment, in keeping with the Department of 
Labor's COVID-19 policy. Special health precautions may be required. 
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 addresses provisions for 
conducting and recording Gamma Radiation Surveys. 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: 1219-0039.
    Affected Public: Business or other for-profit.
    Number of Respondents: 3.
    Frequency: On occasion.
    Number of Responses: 3.
    Annual Burden Hours: 6 hours.
    Annual Respondent or Recordkeeper Cost: $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.

Song-ae Aromie Noe,
Certifying Officer.
[FR Doc. 2022-09540 Filed 5-3-22; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4510-43-P