2013-21361. Proposed Information Collection; Health Standards for Diesel Particulate Matter Exposure (Underground Coal Mines)

AGENCY:

Mine Safety and Health Administration, Labor.

ACTION:

Request for public comments.

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 continuing collections of information in accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, 44 U.S.C. 3506(c)(2)(A). This program helps to assure 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 for Health Standards for Diesel Particulate Matter Exposure (Underground Coal Mines) in 30 CFR 72.510 and 72.520.

DATES:

All comments must be postmarked or received by midnight Eastern Standard Time on November 4, 2013.

ADDRESSES:

Comments concerning the information collection requirements of this notice may be sent by any of the methods listed below.

• Federal E-Rulemaking Portal: http://www.regulations.gov. Follow the on-line instructions for submitting comments for docket number [MSHA-2013-0027].
• Regular Mail or Hand Delivery: MSHA, Office of Standards, Regulations, and Variances, 1100 Wilson Boulevard, Room 2350, Arlington, VA 22209-3939. Sign in at the receptionist's desk on the 21st floor.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Sheila McConnell, Deputy Director, Office of Standards, Regulations, and Variances, MSHA, at [e-mail] (email); 202-693-9440 (voice); or 202-693-9441 (facsimile).

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Background

Under Section 101(a) of the Federal Mine Safety and Health Act of 1977 (Mine Act), the Secretary of Labor shall develop, promulgate, and revise as may be appropriate, improved mandatory health or safety standards for the protection of life and prevention of injuries in coal or other mines. In addition, Section 103(h) of the Mine Act mandates that mine operators keep any records and make any reports that are reasonably necessary for the Mine Safety and Health Administration to perform its duties under the Mine Act.

MSHA established standards and regulations for diesel-powered equipment in underground coal mines that provide additional important protection for coal miners who work on and around diesel-powered equipment. The standards were designed to reduce the risks to underground coal miners of serious health hazards that are associated with exposure to high concentrations of diesel particulate matter. The standards contain information collection requirements for underground coal mine operators in 72.510(a) & (b), 72.520(a) & (b).

Section 72.510(a) requires underground coal mine operators to provide annual training to all miners who may be exposed to diesel emissions. The training must include health risks associated with exposure to diesel particulate matter; methods used in the mine to control diesel particulate concentrations; identification of the personnel responsible for maintaining those controls; and actions miners must take to ensure controls operate as intended.

Section 72.510(b) requires underground coal mine operators to keep a record of the training for one year.

Section 72.520(a) and (b) requires underground coal mine operators to maintain an inventory of diesel powered equipment units together with a list of information about any unit's emission control or filtration system. The list must be updated within 7 calendar days of any change.

II. Desired Focus of Comments

MSHA is particularly interested in comments that:

• Evaluate whether the collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the agency, including whether the information has practical utility;
• Evaluate the accuracy of the MSHA's estimate of the burden of the 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 submission of responses.

This information collection request is available on MSHA's Web site listed in order of OMB number at http://www.msha.gov/​regs/​fedreg/​informationcollection/​informationcollection.asp. The information collection request will be available on MSHA's Web site for 60 days after the publication date of this notice, and on http://www.regulations.gov. Because comments will not be edited to remove any identifying or contact information, MSHA cautions the commenter against including any information in the submission that should not be publicly disclosed.

The public may also examine publicly available documents at MSHA, Office of Standards, Regulations, and Variances, 1100 Wilson Boulevard, Room 2350, Arlington VA 22209-3939 by signing in at the receptionist's desk on the 21st floor.

Questions about the information collection requirements may be directed to the person listed in the FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT section of this notice.

III. Current Actions

This request for collection of information contains notification and recordkeeping provisions for the Proposed Information Collection Request Submitted for Public Comment and Recommendations; Health Standards for Diesel Particulate Matter Exposure (Underground Coal Mines) 30 CFR 72.510 and 72.520. MSHA does not intend to publish the results from this information collection and is not seeking approval to either display or not display the expiration date for the OMB approval of this information collection.

There are no certification exceptions identified and this information collection and the collection of this information does not employ statistical methods.

Type of Review: Extension.

Agency: Mine Safety and Health Administration.

Title: Diesel Particulate Matter Exposure (Underground Coal. Mines) 30 CFR 72.510 and 72.520.

OMB Number: 1219-0124.

Affected Public: Business or other for-profit.

Total Number of Respondents: 206.

Frequency: On occasion.

Total Number of Responses: 53,631.

Total Burden Hours: 703 hours.

Total Annual Respondent or Recordkeeper Cost Burden: $9.

Comments submitted in response to this notice will be summarized and 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: August 28th, 2013.

George F. Triebsch,

Certifying Officer.