2024-18182. Agency Information Collection Activities; Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request; Respiratory Protection Program at Coal Mines

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Department of Labor

ACTION:

Notice of availability; request for comments.

SUMMARY:

The Department of Labor (DOL) is submitting this Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA)-sponsored information collection request (ICR) to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for review and approval in accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (PRA). Public comments on the ICR are invited.

DATES:

The OMB will consider all written comments that the agency receives on or before September 16, 2024.

ADDRESSES:

Written comments and recommendations for the proposed information collection should be sent within 30 days of publication of this notice to www.reginfo.gov/​public/​do/​PRAMain. Find this particular information collection by selecting “Currently under 30-day Review—Open for Public Comments” or by using the search function.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Michael Howell by telephone at 202-693-6782, or by email at [e-mail].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

The purpose of this information collection is to collect four types of information from coal mine operators: revised standard operating procedures (SOPs), American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) recordkeeping, fit test records, and emergency respirator inspection records. The mine operator uses the information to properly issue respiratory protection to coal miners who need to use personal protective equipment where accepted engineering controls measures have not been developed or when necessary, by the nature of work involved (for example, while establishing controls or occasional entry into hazardous ( print page 66453) atmospheres to perform maintenance or investigation). Fit-testing records are used to ensure that a respirator worn by an individual is the same brand, model, and size respirator that was worn when that individual successfully passed a fit-test. Records of emergency respirator inspection are used to ensure that respirators are in proper working order when needed.

MSHA uses the information to determine compliance with the standard specified in 30 CFR 72.710. For additional substantive information about this ICR, see the related notice published in the Federal Register on May 1, 2024 (89 FR 35250).

Comments are invited on: (1) whether the collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the Department, including whether the information will have practical utility; (2) the accuracy of the agency's estimates of the burden and cost of the collection of information, including the validity of the methodology and assumptions used; (3) ways to enhance the quality, utility and clarity of the information collection; and (4) ways to minimize the burden of the collection of information on those who are to respond, including the use of automated collection techniques or other forms of information technology.

This information collection is subject to the PRA. A Federal agency generally cannot conduct or sponsor a collection of information, and the public is generally not required to respond to an information collection, unless the OMB approves it and displays a currently valid OMB Control Number. In addition, notwithstanding any other provisions of law, no person shall generally be subject to penalty for failing to comply with a collection of information that does not display a valid OMB Control Number. See5 CFR 1320.5(a) and 1320.6.

Agency: DOL-MSHA.

Title of Collection: Respiratory Protection Program at Coal Mines.

OMB Control Number: 1219-0NEW.

Affected Public: Businesses or other for-profits.

Number of Respondents: 1,106.

Frequency: Annual.

Number of Responses: 19,908.

Annual Burden Hours: 11,060 hours.

Total Estimated Annual Other Costs Burden: $0.

(Authority: 44 U.S.C. 3507(a)(1)(D)).

Michael Howell,

Senior Paperwork Reduction Act Analyst.