2022-20190. Agency Information Collection Activities; Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request; Respirable Coal Mine Dust Samplings

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 October 19, 2022.

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.

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) if the information will be processed and used in a timely manner; (3) 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; (4) ways to enhance the quality, utility and clarity of the information collection; and (5) 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.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Nora Hernandez by telephone at 202-693-8633, or by email at [e-mail].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

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. Chronic exposure to respirable coal mine dust causes lung diseases including coal workers' pneumoconiosis (CWP), emphysema, silicosis, and chronic bronchitis, known collectively as “black lung.” MSHA's standards in 30 CFR parts 70, 71, and 90 require each mine operator of an underground coal mine, surface coal mine, and surface work areas of an underground coal mine, and each coal mine operator who employs a part 90 miner, to protect miners from exposure to excessive respirable coal mine dust levels. Parts 70 and 71 require coal mine operators to continuously maintain the average concentration of respirable coal mine dust in the mine atmosphere where miners normally work or travel at or below 1.5 milligrams per cubic meter (mg/m³ ). For additional substantive information about this ICR, see the related notice published in the Federal Register on May 23, 2022 (87 FR 31261).

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.

DOL seeks PRA authorization for this information collection for three (3) years. OMB authorization for an ICR cannot be for more than three (3) years without renewal. The DOL notes that information collection requirements submitted to the OMB for existing ICRs receive a month-to-month extension while they undergo review.

Agency: DOL-MSHA.

Title of Collection: Respirable Coal Mine Dust Sampling.

OMB Control Number: 1219-0011.

Affected Public: Businesses or other for-profits institutions.

Total Estimated Number of Respondents: 676.

Total Estimated Number of Responses: 995,102.

Total Estimated Annual Time Burden: 58,259 hours.

Total Estimated Annual Other Costs Burden: $29,835.

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

Nora Hernandez,

Departmental Clearance Officer.