Proposed Information Collection; Health Standards for Diesel Particulate Matter Exposure (Underground Coal Mines), 54279-54280 [2013-21361]

Agencies

• DEPARTMENT OF LABOR
• Mine Safety and Health Administration

[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 170 (Tuesday, September 3, 2013)]
[Notices]
[Pages 54279-54280]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2013-21361]


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DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Mine Safety and Health Administration

[OMB Control No. 1219-0124]


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

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 and continuing collections 
of information in accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, 
44 U.S.C. 3506(c)(2)(A). 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 concerning the extension 
of the information collection for Health Standards for Diesel 
Particulate Matter Exposure (Underground Coal Mines) in 30 CFR 72.510 
and 72.520.

DATES: All comments must be postmarked or received by midnight Eastern 
Standard Time on November 4, 2013.

ADDRESSES: Comments concerning the information collection requirements 
of this notice may be sent by any of the methods listed below.
     Federal E-Rulemaking Portal: https://www.regulations.gov. 
Follow the on-line instructions for submitting comments for docket 
number [MSHA-2013-0027].
     Regular Mail or Hand Delivery: MSHA, Office of Standards, 
Regulations, and Variances, 1100 Wilson Boulevard, Room 2350, 
Arlington, VA 22209-3939. Sign in at the receptionist's desk on the 
21st floor.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Sheila McConnell, Deputy Director, 
Office of Standards, Regulations, and Variances, MSHA, at 
McConnell.Sheila.A@dol.gov (email); 202-693-9440 (voice); or 202-693-
9441 (facsimile).

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

I. Background

    Under Section 101(a) of the Federal Mine Safety and Health Act of 
1977 (Mine Act), the Secretary of Labor shall 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. In addition, Section 103(h) of the Mine Act mandates 
that mine operators keep any records and make any reports that are 
reasonably necessary for the Mine Safety and Health Administration to 
perform its duties under the Mine Act.
    MSHA established 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 were designed to reduce the risks to 
underground coal miners of serious health hazards that are

[[Page 54280]]

associated with exposure to high concentrations of diesel particulate 
matter. The standards contain information collection requirements for 
underground coal mine operators in 72.510(a) & (b), 72.520(a) & (b).
    Section 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 controls operate as intended.
    Section 72.510(b) requires underground coal mine operators to keep 
a record of the training for one year.
    Section 72.520(a) and (b) requires 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 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 the MSHA's estimate of the burden 
of the collection of information, including the validity of the 
methodology and assumptions used;
     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.
    This information collection request is available on MSHA's Web site 
listed in order of OMB number at https://www.msha.gov/regs/fedreg/informationcollection/informationcollection.asp. The information 
collection request will be available on MSHA's Web site for 60 days 
after the publication date of this notice, and on https://www.regulations.gov. Because comments will not be edited to remove any 
identifying or contact information, MSHA cautions the commenter against 
including any information in the submission that should not be publicly 
disclosed.
    The public may also examine publicly available documents at MSHA, 
Office of Standards, Regulations, and Variances, 1100 Wilson Boulevard, 
Room 2350, Arlington VA 22209-3939 by signing in at the receptionist's 
desk on the 21st floor.
    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 request for collection of information contains notification 
and recordkeeping provisions for the Proposed Information Collection 
Request Submitted for Public Comment and Recommendations; Health 
Standards for Diesel Particulate Matter Exposure (Underground Coal 
Mines) 30 CFR 72.510 and 72.520. MSHA does not intend to publish the 
results from this information collection and is not seeking approval to 
either display or not display the expiration date for the OMB approval 
of this information collection.
    There are no certification exceptions identified and this 
information collection and the collection of this information does not 
employ statistical methods.
    Type of Review: Extension.
    Agency: Mine Safety and Health Administration.
    Title: Diesel Particulate Matter Exposure (Underground Coal. Mines) 
30 CFR 72.510 and 72.520.
    OMB Number: 1219-0124.
    Affected Public: Business or other for-profit.
    Total Number of Respondents: 206.
    Frequency: On occasion.
    Total Number of Responses: 53,631.
    Total Burden Hours: 703 hours.
    Total Annual Respondent or Recordkeeper Cost Burden: $9.
    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.

    Dated: August 28th, 2013.
George F. Triebsch,
Certifying Officer.
[FR Doc. 2013-21361 Filed 8-30-13; 8:45 am]
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