[Federal Register Volume 88, Number 54 (Tuesday, March 21, 2023)]
[Notices]
[Pages 17018-17019]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2023-05720]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Mine Safety and Health Administration

[OMB Control No. 1219-0124]


Proposed Extension of Information Collection; Health Standards 
for Diesel Particulate Matter Exposure (Underground Coal Mines)

AGENCY: Mine Safety and Health Administration, Labor.

ACTION: Request for public comments.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

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

[[Page 17019]]

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 requirements on respondents can be 
properly assessed. Currently, the Mine Safety and Health Administration 
(MSHA) is soliciting comments on the information collection for Health 
Standards for Diesel Particulate Matter Exposure (Underground Coal 
Mines).

DATES: All comments must be received by the Office of Standards, 
Regulations, and Variances on or before May 22, 2023.

ADDRESSES: Comments concerning the information collection requirements 
of this notice may be sent by any of the methods listed below. Please 
note that late, untimely filed comments will not be considered.
     Federal eRulemaking Portal: https://www.regulations.gov. 
Follow the instructions for submitting comments for docket number MSHA-
2022-0055.
     Mail/Hand Delivery: 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 all comments 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). These are not toll-free numbers.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Background

    Section 103(h) of the Federal Mine Safety and Health Act of 1977 
(Mine Act), 30 U.S.C. 813(h), 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 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 and metal and 
nonmetal mines.
    MSHA establishes standards and regulations for diesel-powered 
equipment in underground coal mines that provide additional important 
protection for coal miners who work on and around diesel-powered 
equipment. The standards are designed to reduce the risks to 
underground coal miners of serious health hazards associated with 
exposure to high concentrations of diesel particulate matter. The 
standards in 30 CFR 72.510(a) and (b) (Miner health training), and 
72.520(a) and (b) (Diesel equipment inventory) contain information 
collection requirements for underground coal mine operators.
    30 CFR 72.510(a) requires underground coal mine operators to 
provide annual training to all miners who may be exposed to diesel 
emissions. The training must include: health risks associated with 
exposure to diesel particulate matter; methods used in the mine to 
control diesel particulate concentrations; identification of the 
personnel responsible for maintaining those controls; and actions 
miners must take to ensure that controls operate as intended. Under 30 
CFR 72.510(b), underground coal mine operators are required to keep a 
record of the training for 1 year.
    30 CFR 72.520(a) and (b) require underground coal mine operators to 
maintain an inventory of diesel-powered equipment units together with a 
list of information about any unit's emission control or filtration 
system. The list must be updated within 7 calendar days of any change.

II. Desired Focus of Comments

    MSHA is soliciting comments concerning the proposed information 
collection related to Health Standards for Diesel Particulate Matter 
Exposure (Underground Coal 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 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 https://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 DOL-
MSHA, Office of Standards, Regulations, and Variances, 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. 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 CONTACT 
section of this notice.

III. Current Actions

    This information collection request concerns provisions for Health 
Standards for Diesel Particulate Matter Exposure (Underground Coal 
Mines). MSHA has updated the data with respect to the number of 
respondents, responses, burden hours, and burden costs supporting this 
information collection request from the previous information collection 
request.
    Type of Review: Extension, without change, of a currently approved 
collection.
    Agency: Mine Safety and Health Administration.
    OMB Number: 1219-0124.
    Affected Public: Business or other for-profit.
    Number of Respondents: 164.
    Frequency: On occasion.
    Number of Responses: 55,980.
    Annual Burden Hours: 710 hours.
    Annual Respondent or Recordkeeper Cost: $24.
    Comments submitted in response to this notice will be summarized 
and included in the request for Office of Management and Budget 
approval of the proposed information collection request; they will 
become a matter of public record and will be available at https://www.reginfo.gov.

Song-ae Aromie Noe,
Certifying Officer, Mine Safety and Health Administration.
[FR Doc. 2023-05720 Filed 3-20-23; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4510-43-P