[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 98 (Friday, May 21, 1999)]
[Notices]
[Pages 27818-27819]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-12913]
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DEPARTMENT OF LABOR
Mine Safety and Health Administration
Proposed Information Collection Request Submitted for Public
Comment and Recommendations; Noise Data Report Form and Calibration
Records
ACTION: Notice.
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SUMMARY: The Department of Labor, as part of its continuing effort to
reduce paperwork and respondent burden conducts a preclearance
consultation program to provide the general public and Federal agencies
with an opportunity to comment on continuing collections of information
in accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (PRA95) [44
U.S.C. 3506(c)(2)(A)]. 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 concerning the proposed reinstatement of the
information collection related to the Coal Mine Noise Data Report and
Calibration Records. MSHA is particularly interested in comments which:
Evaluate whether the proposed collection of information is
necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the agency,
including whether the information will have practical utility;
Evaluate the accuracy of the agency's estimate of the
burden of the proposed 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 submissions of responses.
A copy of the proposed information collection request can be
obtained by contacting the employee listed below in the For Further
Information Contact: section of this notice.
DATES: Submit comments on or before July 20, 1999.
ADDRESSES: Send comments to Theresa M. O'Malley, Program Analysis
Officer, Office of Program Evaluation and Information Resources, U.S.
Department of Labor, Mine Safety and Health Administration, Room 719,
4015 Wilson Boulevard, Arlington, VA 22203-1984.
Commenters are encouraged to send their comments on a computer
disk, via E-mail to TOMalley@msha.gov, along with an original printed
copy. Ms. O'Malley can be reached at (703) 235-1470 (voice), or (703)
235-1563 (facsimile).
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Theresa M. O'Malley Program Analysis
Officer, Officer of Program Evaluation and Information Resources, U.S.
Department of Labor, Mine Safety and Health Administration, Room 719,
4015 Wilson Boulevard, Arlington, VA 22203-1984. Mrs. O'Malley can be
reached at TOMalley@msha.gov (Internet E-mail), (703) 235-1470 (voice),
or (703) 235-1563 (facsimile).
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
I. Background
This information is used to evaluate the average noise levels to
which miners may be exposed. The information is evaluated to determine
if miners working at a particular occupation or operating a particular
type of equipment may be exposed to excessive noise levels. This type
of information may be useful in determining if there is a need for MSHA
to evaluate the miners work area, and to require the mine operator to
develop a hearing conservation plan to adequately protect the miners
from being exposed to excessive noise levels. In addition, the
information may be used to determine if research is needed to assist in
the development of engineering controls on equipment that typically
generate high noise levels.
II. Current Actions
MSHA inspection personnel routinely conduct a noise survey from a
representative number of miners working at various occupations.
However, MSHA does not have the resources to conduct a noise survey
from the working environment of all miners annually. MSHA relies on the
information from the mine operators to determine if there is a need to
evaluate the miners work area or to conduct a noise survey. In
addition, when a
[[Page 27819]]
determination is made that the noise levels being generated by a
particular type of equipment are typically above the permissible
limits, MSHA uses this information to solicit input from the equipment
manufacturers in determining if engineering changes can be made to the
equipment to reduce the noise levels to within permissible limits.
Type of Review: Reinstatement.
Agency: Mine Safety and Health Administration.
Title: Noise Data Report Form and Calibration Records.
OMB Number: 1219-0037.
Agency Number: MSHA Form 2000-168.
Recordkeeping: 1 year.
Affected Public: Business or other for-profit.
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Total Average time per Burden
30 CFR Respondents Frequency responses response hours
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70.506:
Calibrator................ 971 Annually......... 971 3 min................. 49
Dosimeter................. 971 Annually......... 971 3 min................. 49
70.508(a):
Survey.................... 47,998 Semi-Ann......... 95,996 15 min................ 24,000
Report.................... 47,998 Semi-Ann......... 95,996 6 min................. 9,600
70.508(b):
Survey/report............. 485 Semi-Ann......... 970 6 min................. 97
70.509:
Survey.................... 963 Annually......... 963 15 min................ 241
Report.................... 963 Annually......... 963 6 min................. 96
71.803(a):
Survey.................... 47,340 Semi-Ann......... 94,680 15 min................ 23,670
Report.................... 47,340 Semi-Ann......... 94,680 6 min................. 9,468
71.803(b):
Certify................... 478 Semi-Ann......... 956 6 min................. 96
71.804(a):
Survey.................... 478 Annually......... 478 15 min................ 120
Report.................... 478 Annually......... 478 6 min................. 48
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Totals................ 196,463 ................. 388,102 ...................... 67,534
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Total Burden Cost (capital/startup): $0.
Total Burden Cost (operating/maintaining): $423,040.
Comments submitted in response to this notice will be summarized
and/or 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: May 18, 1999.
Theresa M. O'Malley,
Chief, Records Management Branch.
[FR Doc. 99-12913 Filed 5-20-99; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4510-43-M
