[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 139 (Tuesday, July 21, 1998)]
[Notices]
[Pages 39111-39112]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-19353]
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DEPARTMENT OF LABOR
Mine Safety and Health Administration
Proposed Information Collection Request Submitted for Public
Comment and Recommendations; Respirator Program 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 proposed and/or 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 extension of the
information collection related to respirator program 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 in 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 September 21, 1998.
ADDRESSES: Send comments to Patricia W. Silvey, Director, Office of
Standards, Regulations, and Variances, 4015 Wilson Boulevard, Room 627,
Arlington, VA 22203-1984. Commenters are encouraged to send their
comments on a computer disk, or via E-mail to psilvey@msha.gov, along
with an original printed copy. Ms. Silvey can be reached at (703) 235-
1910 (voice) or (703) 235-5551 (facsimile).
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Theresa O'Malley, Program Analysis
Office, Office of Program Evaluation and Information Resources, U.S.
Department of Labor, Mine Safety and Health Administration, Room 715,
4015 Wilson Boulevard, Arlington, VA 22203-1984. Mrs. O'Malley can be
reached at tomally@msha.gov (Internet E-mail), (703) 235-1370 (voice),
or (703) 235-1563 (facsimile).
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
I. Background
Section 101(a)(7) of the Mine Act mandates in part that mandatory
standards prescribe the use of protective equipment where appropriate
to protect miners against hazards. Where protective equipment or
respirators are required because of exposure to harmful substances,
MSHA must ensure that such equipment offers adequate protection for
workers. A written respirator program that addresses such issues as
selection, fitting, use, and maintenance of respirators is essential
[[Page 39112]]
for ensuring that workers are properly and effectively using the
equipment. Records of fit-testing and essential for determining that
the worker is wearing the proper respirator.
Title 30 CFR Sections 56.5005 and 57.5005 require metal and
nonmetal mine operators to institute a respirator program governing
selection, maintenance, training, fitting, supervision, cleaning and
use of respirators. To control those occupational diseases caused by
breathing air contaminated with harmful dusts, fumes, mists, gases, or
vapors, the primary objective is to prevent atmospheric contamination.
MSHA's current policy, as prescribed by regulation, is to require that
this be accomplished by feasible engineering and administrative control
measures. When effective controls are not feasible, or while they are
being instituted, or during occasional entry into hazardous atmospheres
to perform maintenance or investigations, appropriate respirators are
to be used in accordance with established procedures protecting the
miners.
Sections 56.5005 and 57.5005 incorporate by reference requirements
of the American National Standards Institute (ANSI Z88.2-1969). These
incorporated requirements mandate that miners who must wear respirators
be fit-tested to the respirators that they will use. Certain records
are also required to be kept in connection with respirators, including
records of the date of issuance of the respirator, and fit-test
results. The fit-testing records are essential for determining that the
worker is wearing the proper respirator.
II. Current Actions
The mine operator uses the information to properly issue
respiratory protection to miners when feasible engineering and/or
administrative controls do not reduce the exposure to permissible
levels. Fit-testing records are used to ensure that a respirator worn
by an individual is in fact the one for which that individual received
a tight fit. MSHA uses the information to determine compliance with the
standard.
Type of Review: Extension.
Agency: Mine Safety and Health Administration.
Title: Respirator Program Records.
OMB Number: 1219-0048.
Agency Number: MSHA 404.
Record keeping: None.
Affected Public: Business or other for-profit.
Cite/Reference/Form/etc: 30 CFR Sections 56.5005 and 57.5005.
Total Respondents: 600.
Frequency: As required.
Total Responses: 15,900.
Average Time per Response: 5 hours and 20 minutes.
Estimated Total Burden Hours: 3,973 hours.
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Average time
Cite/Reference Total Frequency Total per response Burden
respondents (per year) responses (hours) (hours)
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Program Requirements............ 600 12 7,200 5.000 3,000
Fit Test........................ 1,500 1 1,500 .250 375
ANSI Recordkeeping.............. 600 12 7,200 .083 598
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Totals.................... 2,700 .............. 15,900 5.353 3,973
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Total Burden Cost (capital/startup): None.
Total Burden Cost (operating/maintaining): $131,666.
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: July 15, 1998.
George M. Fesak,
Director, Program Evaluation and Information Resources.
[FR Doc. 98-19353 Filed 7-20-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4510-43-M
