E6-14319. Proposed Information Collection Request Submitted for Public Comment and Recommendations; Gamma Radiation Exposure Records

ACTION:

Notice.

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/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 extension of the information collection related to the 30 CFR Sections 57.5047; Gamma Radiation Exposure Records.

DATES:

Submit comments on or before October 30, 2006.

ADDRESSES:

Send comments to U.S. Department of Labor, Mine Safety and Health Administration, John Rowlett, Director, Management Services Division, 1100 Wilson Boulevard, Room 2134, Arlington, VA 22209-3939. Commenters are encouraged to send their comments on a computer disk, or via Internet e-mail to [e-mail], along with an original printed copy. Mr. Rowlett can be reached at [phone] (voice), or [phone] (facsimile).

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Contact the employee listed in the ADDRESSES section of this notice.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Background

Under Section 103(c) of the Federal Mine Safety and Health Act of 1977, the Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) is required to “* * * issue regulations required operators to maintain accurate records of employee exposures to potentially toxic materials or harmful physical agents which are required to be monitored or measured under any applicable mandatory health or safety standard promulgated under this Act.”

Gamma radiation occurs anywhere that radioactive materials are present, and has been associated with lung cancer and other debilitating occupational diseases. Gamma radiation hazards may be found near radiation sources at surface operations using X-ray machines, weightometers, nuclear and diffraction units.

II. Desired Focus of Comments

MSHA is particularly interested in comments that:

• 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 in the For Further Information Contact section of this notice, or viewed on the Internet by accessing the MSHA home page (http://www.msha.gov) and then choosing “Statutory and Regulatory Information” and “Federal Register Documents.”

III. Current Actions

Annual gamma radiation surveys are required to be conducted—in all underground mines where radioactive ores are mined. Where the average gamma radiation measurements are in excess of 2.0 milliroentgens per hour in the working place, all persons affected are to be provided with gamma radiation dosimeters and records of cumulative individual gamma radiation exposures are to be kept.

Type of Review: Extension.

Agency: Mine Safety and Health Administration.

Title: Gamma Radiation Exposure Records.

OMB Number: 1219-0039.

Recordkeeping: Records of cumulative occupational radiation exposures aid in the protection of workers, in the control of subsequent radiation exposure, and are used by MSHA in evaluation of the effectiveness of the protection program in demonstrating compliance with regulatory requirements.

Frequency: Annually.

Affected Public: Business or other for-profit.

Respondents: 3.

Average Time Per Respondent: 1 hour.

Total Burden Hours: 3 hours.

Total Burden Cost (capital/startup): $0.

Total Burden Cost (operating/maintaining): $0.

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 at Arlington, Virginia, this 22nd day of August 2006.

Lynnette Haywood,

Acting Director, Office of Administration and Management.