[Federal Register: August 15, 2005 (Volume 70, Number 156)]
[Notices]
[Page 47856-47857]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr15au05-70]
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DEPARTMENT OF LABOR
Mine Safety and Health Administration
Proposed Information Collection Request Submitted for Public
Comment and Recommendations; Noise Exposure Assessment; Audiometric
Testing, Evaluation, and Records and Training in All Mines
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 the continuing collection 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.
DATES: Submit comments on or before October 14, 2005.
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 Rowlett.John@dol.gov, along with an original
printed copy. Mr. Rowlett can be reached at (202) 693-9827 (voice), or
(202) 693-9801 (facsimile).
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Contact the employee listed in the
ADDRESSES section of this notice.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
I. Background
Noise is one of the most pervasive health hazards in mining.
Exposure to hazardous sound levels results in the development of
occupational noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL), a serious physical,
psychological, and social problem. NIHL can be distinguished from aging
and medical factors, diagnosed, and prevented. NIHL is among the ``top
ten'' leading occupational diseases and injuries.
For many years, the risk of acquiring an NIHL was accepted as an
inevitable consequence associated with mining occupations. Miners use
mechanized equipment and work under conditions that often expose them
to hazardous sound levels. But MSHA standards, OSHA standards, military
standards, and others around the world have been established in
recognition of the controllability of this risk. Records of miner
exposures are necessary so that mine operators and MSHA can evaluate
the need for and effectiveness of engineering controls, administrative
controls, and personal protective equipment to protect miners from
harmful levels of exposure.
II. Desired Focus of Comments
Currently, the Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) is
soliciting comments concerning the proposed extension of the
information collection related to the Noise Exposure Assessment;
Audiometric Testing, Evaluation, and Records and Training in all Mines.
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 will have practical utility;
Evaluate the accuracy of the agency'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 submissions of responses.
A copy of the proposed information collection request can be
obtained by contacting the employee listed in the ADDRESSES 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
Records of miner exposures are necessary so that mine operators and
MSHA can ensure that engineering controls, administrative controls, and
personal protective equipment are used to protect miners from harmful
levels of exposure. However, the Agency believes that extensive records
for this purpose now maintained by the coal mining sector are not
needed, Part 62 replaced these requirements with a performance-oriented
approach to monitoring. The final rule expanded notification of
exposure information to miners to assist them in becoming more active
participants in hearing conservation efforts. Hearing tests of miners
are offered and if a miner takes the test, mine operators are required
to compile and maintain a record of each audiometric test. Detection of
a hearing loss can trigger certain protective actions under Part 62.
The record will be used by mine operators and MSHA to verify that the
testing was done and the required actions implemented. Part 62 also
requires the mine operator to provide training to overexposed miners
about the hazards of noise exposure, hearing protector selection and
use, the hearing test program, and the operator's noise controls.
Records of training are needed to confirm that miners receive the
information they need to become active participants in hearing
conservation efforts. There is no existing requirement for such
records; however, training records required under other MSHA
regulations are used for similar purposes.
Type of Review: Extension.
Agency: Mine Safety and Health Administration.
Title: Noise exposure assessment; audiometric testing, evaluation,
and records and training in all mines.
OMB Number: 1219-0120.
Affected Public: Business or other for-profit institutions.
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Cite/reference Frequency Total responses Burden hours
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62.110(a).................................. Annually......................... 6,008 15,439
62.110(c).................................. Occasion......................... 70,985 7,459
62.110(d).................................. Occasion......................... 226,532 19,279
[[Page 47857]]
62.130..................................... Occasion......................... 26,756 3,260
62.170(b).................................. Occasion......................... 169,531 14,659
62.171(b).................................. Occasion......................... 37,088 3,311
62.172(a)(1)............................... Occasion......................... 34,203 3,099
62.172(a)(3)............................... Occasion......................... 1,905 571
62.173(a).................................. Occasion......................... 240 21
62.173(b).................................. Occasion......................... 244 10
62.173(c).................................. Occasion......................... 244 10
62.174(a).................................. Occasion......................... 4,452 384
62.175(a)(1)............................... Occasion......................... 39,583 3,817
62.175(a)(2)............................... Occasion......................... 5,153 512
62.180(a).................................. Occasion......................... 11,022 5,386
62.180(b).................................. Occasion......................... 184,285 25,060
62.190(b).................................. Occasion......................... 28,685 4,575
62.190(c).................................. Occasion......................... 1,165 748
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Total.................................. ................................. 848,081 107,600
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Total Burden Cost (capital/startup): $0.
Total Burden Cost (operating/maintaining): $4,355,111.
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 fourth day of August, 2005.
David L. Meyer,
Director, Office of Administration and Management.
[FR Doc. 05-16077 Filed 8-12-05; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4510-43-P