Notice2024-09318
Proposed Extension of Information Collection: Coal Respirator Program
Primary source
Metadata and text below are from the Federal Register, a public-domain U.S. government work. Always verify the official published version before relying on it for any legal matter.
Published
May 1, 2024
Issuing agencies
Labor DepartmentMine Safety and Health Administration
Abstract
The Department of Labor (DOL), 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 collections of information in accordance, with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995. 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. The Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) is soliciting comments on the information collection for Coal Respirator Program.
Full Text
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<title>Federal Register, Volume 89 Issue 85 (Wednesday, May 1, 2024)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 89, Number 85 (Wednesday, May 1, 2024)]
[Notices]
[Pages 35250-35251]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2024-09318]
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DEPARTMENT OF LABOR
Mine Safety and Health Administration
[OMB Control No. 1219-0New]
Proposed Extension of Information Collection: Coal Respirator
Program
AGENCY: Mine Safety and Health Administration, Labor.
ACTION: Request for public comments.
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SUMMARY: The Department of Labor (DOL), 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 collections
of information in accordance, with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995.
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. The Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) is
soliciting comments on the information collection for Coal Respirator
Program.
DATES: All comments must be received on or before July 1, 2024.
ADDRESSES: Comments concerning the information collection requirements
of this notice may be sent by any of the methods listed below. Please
note that late comments received after the deadline will not be
considered.
<bullet> Federal E-Rulemaking Portal: <a href="https://www.regulations.gov">https://www.regulations.gov</a>.
Follow the on-line instructions for submitting comments for docket
number MSHA-2024-0004.
<bullet> Mail/Hand Delivery: DOL-MSHA, Office of Standards,
Regulations, and Variances, 201 12th Street South, 4th Floor West,
Arlington, VA 22202-5452. Before visiting MSHA in person, call 202-693-
9455 to make an appointment, in keeping with the Department of Labor's
COVID-19 policy. Special health precautions may be required.
<bullet> MSHA will post all comments as well as any attachments,
except for information submitted and marked as confidential, in the
docket at <a href="https://www.regulations.gov">https://www.regulations.gov</a>.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: S. Aromie Noe, Director, Office of
Standards, Regulations, and Variances, MSHA, at
<a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#4f021c070e61262129203d222e3b262021612c2023232a2c3b2620213c0f2b202361282039"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="1f524c575e31767179706d727e6b767071317c7073737a7c6b7670716c5f7b707331787069">[email protected]</span></a> (email); (202) 693-9440 (voice);
or (202) 693-9441 (facsimile). These are not toll-free numbers.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
I. Background
Section 103(h) of the Federal Mine Safety and Health Act of 1977,
as amended (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. Further, section 101(a) of the Mine Act, 30
U.S.C. 811(a), authorizes the Secretary of Labor (Secretary) to
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, metal and nonmetal mines.
A final rule titled ``Lowering Miners' Exposure to Respirable
Crystalline Silica and Improving Respiratory Protection'' (RIN 1219-
AB36) amends 30 CFR 72.710 to incorporate by reference ASTM F3387-19,
entitled ``Standard Practice for Respiratory Protection,'' because it
is the most recent consensus standard developed by experts in
government and professional associations on the selection, use, and
maintenance for respiratory equipment. The final rule requires that
approved respirators be selected, fitted, used, and maintained in
accordance with the provisions of a written respiratory protection
program consistent with the requirements of ASTM F3387-19.
Section 30 CFR 72.710 incorporates, by reference, requirements of
ASTM F3387-19 related to respiratory protective equipment. These
requirements mandate that coal mines
[[Page 35251]]
where miners must wear respirators have written standard operating
procedures (SOPs) for their respiratory program, that such miners who
must wear respirators are fit-tested in a medical evaluation to the
respirators that they will use, and that mines perform emergency
respirator inspections. Records are also required to be kept in
connection with respirators, including revised written SOPs governing
the selection and use of respirators; records relating to the
respiratory programs according to ASTM requirements; medical
evaluation/fit-test results; and records of emergency respirators
inspection. Emergency respirator inspections are regular inspections of
respirators reserved for use during emergencies; the inspections are
used to ensure that respirators would properly function if needed
during an emergency.
II. Desired Focus of Comments
MSHA is soliciting comments concerning the proposed information
collection. MSHA is particularly interested in comments that:
<bullet> 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;
<bullet> Evaluate the accuracy of MSHA's estimate of the burden of
the collection of information, including the validity of the
methodology and assumptions used;
<bullet> Suggest methods to enhance the quality, utility, and
clarity of the information to be collected; and
<bullet> 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.
The information collection request will be available on <a href="https://www.regulations.gov">https://www.regulations.gov</a>. MSHA cautions the commenter against providing any
information in the submission that should not be publicly disclosed.
Full comments, including personal information provided, will be made
available on <a href="https://www.regulations.gov">https://www.regulations.gov</a> and <a href="https://www.reginfo.gov">https://www.reginfo.gov</a>.
The public may also examine publicly available documents at DOL-
MSHA, Office of Standards, Regulations and Variances, 201 12th Street
South, 4th Floor West, Arlington, VA 22202-5452. Sign in at the
receptionist's desk on the 4th floor via the West elevator. Before
visiting MSHA in person, call 202-693-9455 to make an appointment, in
keeping with the Department of Labor's COVID-19 policy. Special health
precautions may be required.
Questions about the information collection requirements may be
directed to the person listed in the FOR FURTHER INFORMATION section of
this notice.
III. Current Actions
This information collection request contains provisions for Coal
Respirator Program. MSHA has provided the data with respect to the
number of respondents, responses, burden hours, and burden costs
supporting this information collection request.
Type of Review: New collection.
Agency: Mine Safety and Health Administration.
OMB Number: 1219-0New.
Affected Public: Business or other for-profit.
Number of Annual Respondents: 1,106.
Frequency: Annual.
Number of Annual Responses: 19,908.
Annual Time Burden: 11,060 hours.
Annual Other Burden Cost: $0.
Comments submitted in response to this notice will be summarized
and included in the request for Office of Management and Budget
approval of the proposed new information collection request; they will
also become a matter of public record and will be available at <a href="https://www.reginfo.gov">https://www.reginfo.gov</a>.
Song-ae Aromie Noe,
Certifying Officer, Mine Safety and Health Administration.
[FR Doc. 2024-09318 Filed 4-30-24; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4510-43-P
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