Coal Mine Dust Personal Monitors, 27263-27265 [E9-13585]

Download as PDF Federal Register / Vol. 74, No. 109 / Tuesday, June 9, 2009 / Proposed Rules support, and job search and relocation allowances) for workers adversely affected by international trade. The Trade Adjustment Assistance Reform Act of 2002 (the Reform Act), Public Law 107–210, reauthorized the TAA program, making significant amendments, including the addition of a health care tax credit (helping workers pay for qualifying health insurance) and ATAA, providing a wage supplement option for older workers. The Department proceeded to implement the Reform Act through three separate rulemakings. On August 25, 2006, the Department published an NPRM covering TAA program benefits and administration (TAA NPRM) (71 FR 50760). On October 18, 2006, the Department published an NPRM covering the new ATAA program (ATAA NPRM) (71 FR 61618). A planned third rulemaking covering petitions for certification of eligibility to apply for program benefits was not published (RIN 1205–AB44). Subsequently, Congress passed the Continuing Appropriations Resolution, 2007 (Pub. L. 110–5) and the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2008 (Pub. L. 110–161), that prohibited the Department from finalizing or implementing these proposed regulations. On February 17, 2009, President Obama signed the Recovery Act, Public Law 111–5, which includes the Trade and Globalization Adjustment Assistance Act of 2009 (TGAAA). The TGAAA reauthorized and substantially amended the TAA program, broadening program coverage, expanding benefits, providing employment and case management services, and replacing the ATAA program with the Retraining Adjustment Assistance program. Because the substantial amendments made by the TGAAA rendered the two 2006 NPRMs obsolete, they are withdrawn. The Department intends to implement the TGAAA through rulemakings, and interested parties will be invited to submit comments on those proposed rules when they publish. Signed: at Washington, DC this 29th day of May 2009. Douglas F. Small, Deputy Assistant Secretary, Employment and Training Administration, Labor. [FR Doc. E9–13352 Filed 6–8–09; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4510–FN–P VerDate Nov<24>2008 13:41 Jun 08, 2009 Jkt 217001 DEPARTMENT OF LABOR Mine Safety and Health Administration 30 CFR Part 74 RIN 1219–AB61 Coal Mine Dust Personal Monitors AGENCY: Mine Safety and Health Administration, Labor. ACTION: Proposed rule; notice of public hearing; re-opening of comment period. SUMMARY: The Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) and the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) will hold a public hearing on the proposed rule to revise existing requirements to approve sampling devices that monitor miner exposure to respirable coal mine dust. The proposal would establish criteria for the approval of a new type of technology, the ‘‘continuous personal dust monitor’’ (CPDM), which would be worn by the miner and would report exposure to dust levels continuously during the shift. In addition, the proposal would update application requirements for the existing ‘‘coal mine dust personal sampler unit’’ (CMDPSU) to reflect improvements in this sampler over the past 15 years. This rulemaking is limited to approval requirements and does not address requirements concerning how sampling devices must be used to determine compliance, e.g., who, when, and how often to sample. Those requirements are addressed in existing 30 CFR parts 70, 71, and 90. MSHA is also clarifying its intent that the text in proposed § 74.7(f)(2) be accordance with the specific test defined in IEC 61000–4–6. DATES: All post-hearing comments must be received by midnight Eastern Daylight Saving Time (EDST) on August 14, 2009. MSHA and NIOSH will hold a public hearing on July 8, 2009. The SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION section of this notice includes details of the hearing. Post-hearing comments must be identified with ‘‘RIN 1219– AB61’’ and may be submitted to MSHA by any of the following methods: (1) Federal e-Rulemaking Portal: https://www.regulations.gov. Follow the instructions for submitting comments. (2) Electronic mail: zzMSHAComments@dol.gov. Include ‘‘RIN 1219–AB61’’ in the subject line of the message. (3) Facsimile: 202–693–9441. Include ‘‘RIN 1219–AB61’’ in the subject line of the message. ADDRESSES: PO 00000 Frm 00010 Fmt 4702 Sfmt 4702 27263 (4) Regular Mail: MSHA, Office of Standards, Regulations, and Variances, 1100 Wilson Boulevard, Room 2350, Arlington, Virginia 22209–3939. (5) Hand Delivery or Courier: MSHA, Office of Standards, Regulations, and Variances, 1100 Wilson Boulevard, Room 2350, Arlington, Virginia 22209– 3939. Sign in at the receptionist’s desk on the 21st floor. Post-hearing comments can be accessed electronically at https:// www.msha.gov under the ‘‘Rules and Regs’’ link. MSHA will post all comments on the Internet without change, including any personal information provided. Post-hearing comments may also be reviewed at the Office of Standards, Regulations, and Variances, 1100 Wilson Boulevard, Room 2350, Arlington, Virginia. Sign in at the receptionist’s desk on the 21st floor. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Patricia W. Silvey, at silvey.patricia@dol.gov (e-mail), 202– 693–9440 (voice), or 202–693–9441 (facsimile). SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: I. Background Existing 30 CFR part 74 specifies requirements by which MSHA and NIOSH jointly approve the design, construction, performance, and manufacturing quality of the CMDPSU. These regulatory requirements, which were issued in 1972, are design specific and do not permit the approval of any other sampling device of a different design. The CMDPSU is currently the only personal dust monitor design that is approved for collecting respirable dust samples in coal mines. MSHA and NIOSH recognize that the ability to directly measure in real time the amount of respirable coal mine dust to which a miner is exposed offers the best solution for protecting miners from disabling occupational lung disease. Therefore, on January 16, 2009, MSHA and NIOSH issued a proposed rule (74 FR 2915) that would revise requirements in 30 CFR part 74 for the approval of coal mine personal dust sampling devices. The proposed rule would establish performance-based and other requirements for approval of the new personal monitoring device, the CPDM. The CPDM is capable of continuously monitoring and displaying dust concentration measurements during the shift and providing end of shift summary measurements. The performance-based approach in the proposed rule would allow for continued innovation in CPDM designs to accommodate improvements or E:\FR\FM\09JNP1.SGM 09JNP1 27264 Federal Register / Vol. 74, No. 109 / Tuesday, June 9, 2009 / Proposed Rules alternative designs in technology that may be introduced in the future. II. Comments Received on the Proposed Rule a. Section 74.7(d) Proposed § 74.7(d) (dust concentration range) would require that the CPDM provide accurate measurements of respirable coal mine dust concentrations for an end-of-shift average measurement within the range of 10% to two times the permissible exposure limit (PEL) for respirable coal mine dust. A commenter asked if the requirement would remain the same, i.e., 10% to two times the reduced PEL, if a dust sample contains more than 5% quartz? The commenter also asked if MSHA reduces the PEL for respirable dust or for quartz dust in the future, would this requirement remain the same, i.e., 10% to two times the new PEL? b. Section 74.7(f) Proposed § 74.7(f)(2) (electromagnetic interference) would require that the CPDM meet standards for the control of and protection from electromagnetic interference established by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI), the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), and the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC). To address immunity and susceptibility, the proposed standard would require that persons must proceed in accordance with IEC 61000–4 and –6 (Electromagnetic compatibility—Part 4–6: Testing and measurement techniques—Immunity to conducted disturbances, induced by radio-frequency fields). A commenter stated that as written the standard is confusing as to the depth of testing required. This commenter asked if the intent of the standard was to test against the entire section of 61000–4 through 61000–6, or only sections 61000–4 and 61000–6, or the specific test defined in 61000–4–6? MSHA inadvertently cited the IEC reference in the proposed standard as IEC 61000–4 and 61000–6. The proposed standard should have been phrased as follows: ‘‘persons must proceed in accordance with IEC 61000– 4–6 (Electromagnetic compatibility— Part 4–6: Testing and measurement techniques—Immunity to conducted disturbances, induced by radiofrequency fields).’’ In response to the commenter’s question, the Agency is clarifying its intent that the proposed test be in accordance with the specific test defined in IEC 61000–4–6. VerDate Nov<24>2008 13:41 Jun 08, 2009 Jkt 217001 c. Section 74.7(h) Proposed § 74.7(h)(1) and (2) (reporting of monitoring results) would require— • Adequate legibility or audibility of monitoring results; • Computer (i.e., digital) recording of results in a form compatible with widely available computer technology; and • Reporting of results as cumulative mass concentration in units of mass per volume of air, i.e., milligrams per cubic meter (mg/m3). It would also require a digital display that is illuminated and provides a minimum character height of 6 millimeters. A commenter stated that, except for provisions for the size of characters and end of shift results, there is nothing in this proposed rule that provides for results for shorter time periods (from minutes to hours). This commenter stated that an instrument that provides only the end of shift results would not be acceptable. Additionally, whatever number the instrument displays should not be truncated and, instead, should be rounded as is the customary practice in most other applications. This commenter suggested that the information displayed on the CPDM be the same as described in NIOSH Publication RI 9669. d. Section 74.7(i) Proposed § 74.7(i) (power requirements) would require that the power source for the CPDM have sufficient capacity to enable continuous sampling for 12 hours in a coal mine dust atmosphere of two times the PEL. It also would require that a CPDM powered by a rechargeable battery be recharged using the standard power supplies in mines (110 VAC). A commenter supported the proposed requirement that the CPDM be powered continuously for 12 hours since miners work shifts longer than 8 hours. However, this commenter also suggested that CPDMs be capable of operating for a minimum of 16 hours to accommodate full work shifts, up to 16 hours. This commenter further suggested that, if this is not feasible, it should be required in two years. e. Section 74.7(m) Proposed § 74.7(m) (tampering safeguards or indicators) would specify performance requirements that would help assure that CPDMs are designed to prevent intentional tampering and limit inadvertent altering of monitoring results. It would require that the CPDM have a safeguard or indicator that either PO 00000 Frm 00011 Fmt 4702 Sfmt 4702 prevents altering the measuring or reporting function of the device or indicates if these functions have been altered. A commenter supported the proposed requirement; however, the commenter doubted that such safeguards could prevent tampering altogether. This commenter suggested that MSHA have other methods to prevent and detect tampering and to prosecute those who perpetuate such fraud. f. Section 74.10(a) Proposed § 74.10(a) (operating instructions and maintenance and service life plan) is new and would require the manufacturer to include operating instructions and a maintenance and service life plan with each new CPDM sold. Under the proposal, operating instructions would have to be clearly written. A commenter suggested that the proposal provide more specific and objective criteria, and that operating instructions be written so that anybody in the industry can, after reading them, operate the CPDM. III. Public Hearing MSHA and NIOSH will hold a public hearing on the proposed rule. The public hearing will begin at 9 a.m. EDST. The hearing will be held on July 8, 2009, at the Mine Safety and Health Administration, 1100 Wilson Boulevard, 25th Floor Conference Room, Arlington, Virginia. The hearing will begin with opening statements from MSHA and NIOSH, followed by an opportunity for members of the public to make oral presentations to the hearing panel. Persons and organizations are encouraged to submit requests to speak at the hearing at least 5 days prior to the hearing date. Requests to speak may be made by telephone, facsimile, or mail. Any unallocated time at the end of the hearing will be made available to persons making same-day requests to speak. Same-day requestors will speak in the order that they sign in at the hearing. Speakers and other attendees may also present information to the MSHA panel for inclusion in the rulemaking record. The hearing will be conducted in an informal manner. Formal rules of evidence and cross-examination will not apply. The hearing panel may ask questions of the speakers. Speakers may ask questions of the hearing panel. MSHA will make a transcript of the hearing, post it on the Internet at https://www.msha.gov, and include it in the rulemaking record. E:\FR\FM\09JNP1.SGM 09JNP1 Federal Register / Vol. 74, No. 109 / Tuesday, June 9, 2009 / Proposed Rules MSHA will accept written posthearing comments and data for the record from any interested party, including those not presenting oral statements, until midnight EDST on August 14, 2009. Dated: June 3, 2009. Michael A. Davis, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Operations, Mine Safety and Health. [FR Doc. E9–13585 Filed 6–8–09; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4510–43–P ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY 40 CFR Part 63 [EPA–HQ–OAR–2002–0051; FRL–8915–1] RIN 2060–AO15 National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants From the Portland Cement Manufacturing Industry AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). ACTION: Notice of public hearings and extension of public comment period. SUMMARY: On May 6, 2009, EPA proposed amendments to the National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants from the Portland Cement Manufacturing Industry (74 FR 21136). EPA has received a request from a major environmental group to schedule additional public hearings and to schedule those hearings later than the original public hearing date. Given the significant public interest in this rule and to further public participation opportunities, EPA is granting the request and has scheduled three public hearings. These hearings will occur in Los Angeles, California on June 16, 2009, Dallas, Texas on June 17, 2009, and Arlington, Virginia on June 18, 2009. More information on the locations is shown in SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION. In addition, EPA is extending the deadline for written comments on the proposed amendments to September 4, 2009. EPA received a request for this extension to the comment period from the Portland Cement Association and several cement manufacturing companies. The reason given for the request for the extension was the need for additional time to gather data and review the proposed amendments. Given the fact that the proposed amendments would make significant changes to the current rule, and the request by the cement industry to gather VerDate Nov<24>2008 13:41 Jun 08, 2009 Jkt 217001 additional data, EPA finds this request to be reasonable. DATES: Comments. Comments must be received on or before September 4, 2009. Public Hearings. These hearings will occur in Los Angeles, California on June 16, 2009, Dallas, Texas on June 17, 2009, and Arlington, Virginia on June 18, 2009. Persons who wish to present oral testimony at the public hearings must register two business days prior to the hearings. The last day to register will be June 12, 2009 for the Los Angeles hearing, June 15, 2009, for the Dallas hearing, and June 16, 2009, for the Arlington hearing. The registration cut-off time is 5 p.m. EDT on the final day of registration. See SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION for information on how to register. Note that the preregistration requirement only applies if you wish to present testimony. ADDRESSES: Submit your comments, identified by Docket ID No. EPA–HQ– OAR–2002–0051, by one of the following methods: • https://www.regulations.gov: Follow the on-line instructions for submitting comments. • E-mail: a-and-r-docket@epa.gov. • Fax: (202) 566–9744. • Mail: U.S. Postal Service, send comments to: EPA Docket Center (6102T), National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants from the Portland Cement Manufacturing Industry Docket, Docket ID No. EPA– HQ–OAR–2002–0051, 1200 Pennsylvania Ave., NW., Washington, DC 20460. Please include a total of two copies. • Hand Delivery: In person or by courier, deliver comments to: EPA Docket Center (6102T), National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants from the Portland Cement Manufacturing Industry Docket, Docket ID No. EPA–HQ–OAR–2002–0051, EPA West, Room 3334, 1301 Constitution Avenue, NW., Washington, DC 20004. Such deliveries are only accepted during the Docket’s normal hours of operation, and special arrangements should be made for deliveries of boxed information. Please include a total of two copies. Instructions: Direct your comments to Docket ID No. EPA–HQ–OAR–2002– 0051. EPA’s policy is that all comments received will be included in the public docket without change and may be made available online at www.regulations.gov, including any personal information provided, unless the comment includes information claimed to be Confidential Business Information (CBI) or other information PO 00000 Frm 00012 Fmt 4702 Sfmt 4702 27265 whose disclosure is restricted by statute. Do not submit information that you consider to be CBI or otherwise protected through www.regulations.gov or e-mail. The www.regulations.gov Web site is an ‘‘anonymous access’’ system, which means EPA will not know your identity or contact information unless you provide it in the body of your comment. If you send an e-mail comment directly to EPA without going through www.regulations.gov, your email address will be automatically captured and included as part of the comment that is placed in the public docket and made available on the Internet. If you submit an electronic comment, EPA recommends that you include your name and other contact information in the body of your comment and with any disk or CD–ROM you submit. If EPA cannot read your comment due to technical difficulties and cannot contact you for clarification, EPA may not be able to consider your comment. Electronic files should avoid the use of special characters, any form of encryption, and be free of any defects or viruses. Docket: All documents in the docket are listed in the www.regulations.gov index. Although listed in the index, some information is not publicly available, e.g., CBI or other information whose disclosure is restricted by statute. Certain other material, such as copyrighted material, will be publicly available only in hard copy. Publicly available docket materials are available either electronically in www.regulations.gov or in hard copy at the EPA Docket Center, EPA West, Room 3334, 1301 Constitution Ave., NW., Washington, DC. The Public Reading Room is open from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, excluding legal holidays. The telephone number for the Public Reading Room is (202) 566–1744, and the telephone number for the Docket Center is (202) 566–1742. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: If you would like to speak at the public hearing or have questions concerning the public hearing, please contact Ms. Pamela Garrett at the address given below under SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION. Questions concerning the proposed rule should be addressed to Mr. Keith Barnett, Office of Air Quality Planning and Standards, Sector Policies and Programs Division, Metals and Minerals Group (D243–02), Environmental Protection Agency, Research Triangle Park, NC 27711, telephone number: (919) 541–5605; fax number: (919) 541–5450; e-mail address: barnett.keith@epa.gov. E:\FR\FM\09JNP1.SGM 09JNP1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 74, Number 109 (Tuesday, June 9, 2009)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 27263-27265]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E9-13585]


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

DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Mine Safety and Health Administration

30 CFR Part 74

RIN 1219-AB61


Coal Mine Dust Personal Monitors

AGENCY: Mine Safety and Health Administration, Labor.

ACTION: Proposed rule; notice of public hearing; re-opening of comment 
period.

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

SUMMARY: The Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) and the 
National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) will hold 
a public hearing on the proposed rule to revise existing requirements 
to approve sampling devices that monitor miner exposure to respirable 
coal mine dust. The proposal would establish criteria for the approval 
of a new type of technology, the ``continuous personal dust monitor'' 
(CPDM), which would be worn by the miner and would report exposure to 
dust levels continuously during the shift. In addition, the proposal 
would update application requirements for the existing ``coal mine dust 
personal sampler unit'' (CMDPSU) to reflect improvements in this 
sampler over the past 15 years. This rulemaking is limited to approval 
requirements and does not address requirements concerning how sampling 
devices must be used to determine compliance, e.g., who, when, and how 
often to sample. Those requirements are addressed in existing 30 CFR 
parts 70, 71, and 90. MSHA is also clarifying its intent that the text 
in proposed Sec.  74.7(f)(2) be accordance with the specific test 
defined in IEC 61000-4-6.

DATES: All post-hearing comments must be received by midnight Eastern 
Daylight Saving Time (EDST) on August 14, 2009.
    MSHA and NIOSH will hold a public hearing on July 8, 2009. The 
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION section of this notice includes details of 
the hearing.

ADDRESSES: Post-hearing comments must be identified with ``RIN 1219-
AB61'' and may be submitted to MSHA by any of the following methods:
    (1) Federal e-Rulemaking Portal: https://www.regulations.gov. Follow 
the instructions for submitting comments.
    (2) Electronic mail: zzMSHA-Comments@dol.gov. Include ``RIN 1219-
AB61'' in the subject line of the message.
    (3) Facsimile: 202-693-9441. Include ``RIN 1219-AB61'' in the 
subject line of the message.
    (4) Regular Mail: MSHA, Office of Standards, Regulations, and 
Variances, 1100 Wilson Boulevard, Room 2350, Arlington, Virginia 22209-
3939.
    (5) Hand Delivery or Courier: MSHA, Office of Standards, 
Regulations, and Variances, 1100 Wilson Boulevard, Room 2350, 
Arlington, Virginia 22209-3939. Sign in at the receptionist's desk on 
the 21st floor.
    Post-hearing comments can be accessed electronically at https://www.msha.gov under the ``Rules and Regs'' link. MSHA will post all 
comments on the Internet without change, including any personal 
information provided.
    Post-hearing comments may also be reviewed at the Office of 
Standards, Regulations, and Variances, 1100 Wilson Boulevard, Room 
2350, Arlington, Virginia. Sign in at the receptionist's desk on the 
21st floor.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Patricia W. Silvey, at 
silvey.patricia@dol.gov (e-mail), 202-693-9440 (voice), or 202-693-9441 
(facsimile).

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Background

    Existing 30 CFR part 74 specifies requirements by which MSHA and 
NIOSH jointly approve the design, construction, performance, and 
manufacturing quality of the CMDPSU. These regulatory requirements, 
which were issued in 1972, are design specific and do not permit the 
approval of any other sampling device of a different design. The CMDPSU 
is currently the only personal dust monitor design that is approved for 
collecting respirable dust samples in coal mines.
    MSHA and NIOSH recognize that the ability to directly measure in 
real time the amount of respirable coal mine dust to which a miner is 
exposed offers the best solution for protecting miners from disabling 
occupational lung disease. Therefore, on January 16, 2009, MSHA and 
NIOSH issued a proposed rule (74 FR 2915) that would revise 
requirements in 30 CFR part 74 for the approval of coal mine personal 
dust sampling devices. The proposed rule would establish performance-
based and other requirements for approval of the new personal 
monitoring device, the CPDM. The CPDM is capable of continuously 
monitoring and displaying dust concentration measurements during the 
shift and providing end of shift summary measurements. The performance-
based approach in the proposed rule would allow for continued 
innovation in CPDM designs to accommodate improvements or

[[Page 27264]]

alternative designs in technology that may be introduced in the future.

II. Comments Received on the Proposed Rule

a. Section 74.7(d)

    Proposed Sec.  74.7(d) (dust concentration range) would require 
that the CPDM provide accurate measurements of respirable coal mine 
dust concentrations for an end-of-shift average measurement within the 
range of 10% to two times the permissible exposure limit (PEL) for 
respirable coal mine dust.
    A commenter asked if the requirement would remain the same, i.e., 
10% to two times the reduced PEL, if a dust sample contains more than 
5% quartz? The commenter also asked if MSHA reduces the PEL for 
respirable dust or for quartz dust in the future, would this 
requirement remain the same, i.e., 10% to two times the new PEL?

 b. Section 74.7(f)

    Proposed Sec.  74.7(f)(2) (electromagnetic interference) would 
require that the CPDM meet standards for the control of and protection 
from electromagnetic interference established by the American National 
Standards Institute (ANSI), the Federal Communications Commission 
(FCC), and the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC). To 
address immunity and susceptibility, the proposed standard would 
require that persons must proceed in accordance with IEC 61000-4 and -6 
(Electromagnetic compatibility--Part 4-6: Testing and measurement 
techniques--Immunity to conducted disturbances, induced by radio-
frequency fields).
    A commenter stated that as written the standard is confusing as to 
the depth of testing required. This commenter asked if the intent of 
the standard was to test against the entire section of 61000-4 through 
61000-6, or only sections 61000-4 and 61000-6, or the specific test 
defined in 61000-4-6?
    MSHA inadvertently cited the IEC reference in the proposed standard 
as IEC 61000-4 and 61000-6. The proposed standard should have been 
phrased as follows: ``persons must proceed in accordance with IEC 
61000-4-6 (Electromagnetic compatibility--Part 4-6: Testing and 
measurement techniques--Immunity to conducted disturbances, induced by 
radio-frequency fields).'' In response to the commenter's question, the 
Agency is clarifying its intent that the proposed test be in accordance 
with the specific test defined in IEC 61000-4-6.

c. Section 74.7(h)

    Proposed Sec.  74.7(h)(1) and (2) (reporting of monitoring results) 
would require--
     Adequate legibility or audibility of monitoring results;
     Computer (i.e., digital) recording of results in a form 
compatible with widely available computer technology; and
     Reporting of results as cumulative mass concentration in 
units of mass per volume of air, i.e., milligrams per cubic meter (mg/
m\3\).

It would also require a digital display that is illuminated and 
provides a minimum character height of 6 millimeters.

    A commenter stated that, except for provisions for the size of 
characters and end of shift results, there is nothing in this proposed 
rule that provides for results for shorter time periods (from minutes 
to hours). This commenter stated that an instrument that provides only 
the end of shift results would not be acceptable. Additionally, 
whatever number the instrument displays should not be truncated and, 
instead, should be rounded as is the customary practice in most other 
applications. This commenter suggested that the information displayed 
on the CPDM be the same as described in NIOSH Publication RI 9669.

d. Section 74.7(i)

    Proposed Sec.  74.7(i) (power requirements) would require that the 
power source for the CPDM have sufficient capacity to enable continuous 
sampling for 12 hours in a coal mine dust atmosphere of two times the 
PEL. It also would require that a CPDM powered by a rechargeable 
battery be recharged using the standard power supplies in mines (110 
VAC).
    A commenter supported the proposed requirement that the CPDM be 
powered continuously for 12 hours since miners work shifts longer than 
8 hours. However, this commenter also suggested that CPDMs be capable 
of operating for a minimum of 16 hours to accommodate full work shifts, 
up to 16 hours. This commenter further suggested that, if this is not 
feasible, it should be required in two years.

e. Section 74.7(m)

    Proposed Sec.  74.7(m) (tampering safeguards or indicators) would 
specify performance requirements that would help assure that CPDMs are 
designed to prevent intentional tampering and limit inadvertent 
altering of monitoring results. It would require that the CPDM have a 
safeguard or indicator that either prevents altering the measuring or 
reporting function of the device or indicates if these functions have 
been altered.
    A commenter supported the proposed requirement; however, the 
commenter doubted that such safeguards could prevent tampering 
altogether. This commenter suggested that MSHA have other methods to 
prevent and detect tampering and to prosecute those who perpetuate such 
fraud.

f. Section 74.10(a)

    Proposed Sec.  74.10(a) (operating instructions and maintenance and 
service life plan) is new and would require the manufacturer to include 
operating instructions and a maintenance and service life plan with 
each new CPDM sold. Under the proposal, operating instructions would 
have to be clearly written.
    A commenter suggested that the proposal provide more specific and 
objective criteria, and that operating instructions be written so that 
anybody in the industry can, after reading them, operate the CPDM.

III. Public Hearing

    MSHA and NIOSH will hold a public hearing on the proposed rule. The 
public hearing will begin at 9 a.m. EDST. The hearing will be held on 
July 8, 2009, at the Mine Safety and Health Administration, 1100 Wilson 
Boulevard, 25th Floor Conference Room, Arlington, Virginia.
    The hearing will begin with opening statements from MSHA and NIOSH, 
followed by an opportunity for members of the public to make oral 
presentations to the hearing panel. Persons and organizations are 
encouraged to submit requests to speak at the hearing at least 5 days 
prior to the hearing date. Requests to speak may be made by telephone, 
facsimile, or mail.
    Any unallocated time at the end of the hearing will be made 
available to persons making same-day requests to speak. Same-day 
requestors will speak in the order that they sign in at the hearing. 
Speakers and other attendees may also present information to the MSHA 
panel for inclusion in the rulemaking record.
    The hearing will be conducted in an informal manner. Formal rules 
of evidence and cross-examination will not apply. The hearing panel may 
ask questions of the speakers. Speakers may ask questions of the 
hearing panel. MSHA will make a transcript of the hearing, post it on 
the Internet at https://www.msha.gov, and include it in the rulemaking 
record.

[[Page 27265]]

    MSHA will accept written post-hearing comments and data for the 
record from any interested party, including those not presenting oral 
statements, until midnight EDST on August 14, 2009.

    Dated: June 3, 2009.
Michael A. Davis,
Deputy Assistant Secretary for Operations, Mine Safety and Health.
[FR Doc. E9-13585 Filed 6-8-09; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4510-43-P
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