[Federal Register Volume 88, Number 104 (Wednesday, May 31, 2023)]
[Notices]
[Pages 34896-34897]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2023-11456]


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DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Mine Safety and Health Administration

[OMB Control No. 1219-0143]


Proposed Extension of Information Collection; Qualification/
Certification Program Request for MSHA Individual Identification Number 
(MIIN)

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,

[[Page 34897]]

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 requirements on respondents can be 
properly assessed. Currently, the Mine Safety and Health Administration 
(MSHA) is soliciting comments on the information collection for 
Qualification/Certification Program Request for MSHA Individual 
Identification Number (MIIN).

DATES: All comments must be received by the Office of Standards, 
Regulations and Variance on or before July 31, 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 E-Rulemaking Portal: http://www.regulations.gov. 
Follow the on-line instructions for submitting comments for docket 
number MSHA-2023-0011.
     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 issues certifications, qualifications, and approvals to the 
nation's miners to conduct specific work within the mines. Miners 
requiring qualification or certification from MSHA will register for an 
MIIN. MSHA uses this unique number in place of individual Social 
Security numbers (SSNs) for all MSHA collections. MIIN will be used to 
identify miners who have exercised their option to work in areas of a 
mine with respirable dust concentration at or below 0.5 milligrams per 
cubic meter of air under 30 CFR 90.3 (Part 90 option); notice of 
eligibility; exercise of option and 30 CFR 90.100(b) (Respirable Dust 
Standard). The MIIN identifier fulfills Executive Order 13402, 
Strengthening Federal Efforts Against Identity Theft, which requires 
Federal agencies to better secure government held data.

II. Desired Focus of Comments

    MSHA is soliciting comments concerning the proposed information 
collection related to Qualification/Certification Program Request for 
MSHA Individual Identification Number (MIIN). 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 DOL-
MSHA, 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 CONTACT 
section of this notice.

III. Current Actions

    This information collection request concerns provisions for 
Qualification/Certification Program Request for MSHA Individual 
Identification Number (MIIN). 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: 1219-0143.
    Affected Public: Business or other for-profit.
    Number of Respondents: 6,000.
    Frequency: On occasion.
    Number of Responses: 6,000.
    Annual Burden Hours: 500 hours.
    Annual Respondent or Recordkeeper Cost: $72.
    MSHA Forms: MSHA Form 5000-46, Request for MSHA Individual 
Identification Number (MIIN).
    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, Mine Safety and Health Administration.
[FR Doc. 2023-11456 Filed 5-30-23; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4510-43-P