Notice2025-09593
Proposed Extension of Information Collection: Gamma Radiation Surveys
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 29, 2025
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 for all information collections, to provide the 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 titled Gamma Radiation Surveys.
Full Text
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<title>Federal Register, Volume 90 Issue 102 (Thursday, May 29, 2025)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 90, Number 102 (Thursday, May 29, 2025)]
[Notices]
[Pages 22772-22774]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2025-09593]
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DEPARTMENT OF LABOR
Mine Safety and Health Administration
[OMB Control No. 1219-0039]
Proposed Extension of Information Collection: Gamma Radiation
Surveys
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 for all information collections, to
provide the 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 titled Gamma Radiation Surveys.
DATES: All comments must be received on or before July 28, 2025.
ADDRESSES: Comments concerning the information collection requirements
of this notice may be sent by any of the
[[Page 22773]]
methods listed below. Please note that 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-2025-0014.
<bullet> Mail/Hand Delivery: DOL-MSHA, Office of Standards,
Regulations, and Variances, 200 Constitution Avenue NW, Room C3522,
Washington, DC 20210. Before visiting MSHA in person, call 202-693-9455
to make an appointment.
<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#0e435d464f20676068617c636f7a676160206d6162626b6d7a6761607d4e6a616220696178"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="6528362d244b0c0b030a170804110c0a0b4b060a09090006110c0a0b1625010a094b020a13">[email protected]</span></a> (email); (202) 693-9440 (voice);
or (202) 693-9441 (facsimile). These are not toll-free numbers.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
I. Background
A. Legal Authority
Section 103(h) of the Federal Mine Safety and Health Act of 1977
(Mine Act) as amended, 30 U.S.C. 813(h), authorizes the Mine Safety and
Health Administration (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 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.
The Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA) governs paperwork burdens imposed
by Federal agencies on the public for using identical questions to
collect information from 10 or more persons. Paperwork burden is
defined in 44 U.S.C. 3502(2) as time, effort, or financial resources
expended to generate, maintain, or provide information to or for a
Federal agency. Under 44 U.S.C. 3507, policies and procedures of
information collection are established for controlling paperwork
burdens imposed by Federal agencies on the public, including evaluating
public comments.
B. Information Collection
To fulfill the statutory mandates to promote miners' health and
safety, MSHA requires information under the information collection
request (ICR) titled ``Gamma Radiation Surveys.'' The information
collection is intended to ensure that mine operators monitor and
maintain records of employee exposures to gamma rays so to minimize the
negative health effects on miners.
Gamma radiation occurs where radioactive materials are present.
Natural sources of gamma radiation include uranium and other
radioactive elements that can be found in rocks, soils, and ground
water. Gamma radiation may also be found near equipment with radiation
sources in surface and underground mine operations where gamma rays are
used to measure the level and density of liquids, slurries, or solids.
The equipment includes X-ray machines, weightometers, nuclear gauges,
and diffraction units that are mounted outside tanks, pipes, bins,
hoppers, or other types of vessels, and contain radioactive materials.
The adverse health effects from exposure to gamma radiation vary
depending upon the energy level of the radiation, the cumulative length
of exposure, and the type of cell affected. Gamma rays penetrate the
body and can cause cell death or damage in their path which can affect
many of the body's organs. If a radioactive element is inhaled or
ingested, gamma radiation can also be emitted and absorbed internally.
As a result, gamma radiation can cause many types of cancer.
Burden costs associated with the ICR include:
1. conducting annual gamma radiation surveys; and
2. recording cumulative individual gamma radiation exposure.
Authorization and the associated rule text are described below.
1. Conducting Gamma Radiation Surveys
Under section 103(c) of the Mine Act, 30 U.S.C. 813(c), MSHA is
required to issue regulations requiring 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
the Act.
Under 30 CFR 57.5047(a), mine operators are required to conduct
gamma radiation surveys annually in all underground mines where
radioactive ores are mined. Under 30 CFR 57.5047(b), surveys must be
conducted in accordance with American National Standards Institute
(ANSI) Standard N13.8-1973, titled ``Radiation Protection in Uranium
Mines'', which is incorporated by reference.
2. Recording Cumulative Gamma Radiation Exposure
Under 30 CFR 57.5047(c), where average gamma radiation measurements
are in excess of 2.0 milliroentgens per hour in the working place,
gamma radiation dosimeters must be provided for all persons affected,
and records of cumulative individual gamma radiation exposure must be
kept. Under 30 CFR 57.5047(d), an annual individual gamma radiation
exposure cannot exceed 5 rems.
II. Desired Focus of Comments
MSHA is soliciting comments concerning the proposed information
collection related to Gamma Radiation Surveys. 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, 200 Constitution
Avenue NW, Room C3522, Washington, DC 20210. Before visiting MSHA in
person, call 202-693-9455 to make an appointment.
Questions about the information collection requirements may be
directed to the person listed in the FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT
section of this notice.
[[Page 22774]]
III. Current Actions
This information collection request concerns provisions for Gamma
Radiation Surveys. MSHA has updated the data with respect to the number
of respondents, responses, time burden, and burden costs supporting
this information collection request from the previous information
collection request.
Type of Review: Extension, without change, of a currently approved
collection.
Agency: Mine Safety and Health Administration.
OMB Number: 1219-0039.
Affected Public: Business or other for-profit.
Number of Annual Respondents: 4.
Frequency: On occasion.
Number of Annual Responses: 4.
Annual Time Burden: 8 hours.
Annual Other Burden Costs: $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 information collection request; they will
become a matter of public record and 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. 2025-09593 Filed 5-28-25; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4510-43-P
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This is legal information, not legal advice. Laws vary by jurisdiction and change frequently. Always verify current law with official sources and consult a licensed attorney in your jurisdiction for advice on your specific situation.