Proposed Extension of Information Collection; Periodic Medical Surveillance Examinations for Coal Miners, 17024-17025 [2023-05721]

Agencies

• DEPARTMENT OF LABOR
• Mine Safety and Health Administration

[Federal Register Volume 88, Number 54 (Tuesday, March 21, 2023)]
[Notices]
[Pages 17024-17025]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2023-05721]



[[Page 17024]]

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DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Mine Safety and Health Administration

[OMB Control No. 1219-0152]


Proposed Extension of Information Collection; Periodic Medical 
Surveillance Examinations for Coal Miners

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 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 Periodic Medical 
Surveillance Examinations for Coal Miners.

DATES: All comments must be received MSHA's 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-
2022-0057.
     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.
    The Mine Act authorizes the National Institute for Occupational 
Safety and Health (NIOSH) to study the causes and consequences of coal-
related respiratory disease, and in cooperation with MSHA, to carry out 
a program for early detection and prevention of pneumoconiosis. NIOSH 
administers the National Coal Workers' Health Surveillance Program, 
``Specifications for Medical Examinations of Underground Coal Miners,'' 
as specified in 42 CFR part 37 (Chest Radiographic Examinations). 30 
CFR 72.100 (Periodic examinations) contains collection requirements for 
these activities in paragraphs (d) and (e).
    30 CFR 72.100(d) requires that each mine operator must develop and 
submit a plan for NIOSH approval in accordance with 42 CFR 37 for 
providing miners with the required periodic examinations specified in 
30 CFR 72.100(a) and a roster specifying the name and current address 
of each miner covered by the plan.
    30 CFR 72.100(e) requires that each mine operator must post on the 
mine bulletin board at all times the approved plan for providing the 
examinations specified in 72.100(a).
    30 CFR 72.100(d) and (e) are requirements that mirror NIOSH 
information collection requirements under 42 CFR 37.4 (Chest 
radiographic examinations conducted by the Secretary) (existing OMB No. 
0920-0020)). Including these requirements allows MSHA to use its 
inspection and enforcement authority to ensure that operators comply 
with these provisions.

II. Desired Focus of Comments

    MSHA is soliciting comments concerning the proposed information 
collection. 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, 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 
Periodic Medical Surveillance Examinations for Coal Miners. 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: 1219-0152.
    Affected Public: Business or other for-profit.
    Number of Respondents: 664.
    Frequency: On occasion.
    Number of Responses: 797.

[[Page 17025]]

    Annual Burden Hours: 310 hours.
    Annual Respondent or Recordkeeper Cost: $239.
    The decrease in the number of respondents, response, burden hours 
and respondent or recordkeeper cost is due to the decrease in 
respondents.
    Comments submitted in response to this notice will be summarized 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. 2023-05721 Filed 3-20-23; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4510-43-P