Notice2026-09115
Proposed Extension of Information Collection: Qualification and Certification Program Request for MSHA Individual Identification Number (MIIN)
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 8, 2026
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 "Qualification and Certification Program Request for MSHA Individual Identification Number (MIIN)."
Full Text
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<title>Federal Register, Volume 91 Issue 89 (Friday, May 8, 2026)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 91, Number 89 (Friday, May 8, 2026)]
[Notices]
[Pages 25383-25385]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2026-09115]
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DEPARTMENT OF LABOR
Mine Safety and Health Administration
[OMB Control No. 1219-0143]
Proposed Extension of Information Collection: Qualification and
Certification Program Request for MSHA Individual Identification Number
(MIIN)
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 ``Qualification and Certification Program Request for
MSHA Individual Identification Number (MIIN).''
DATES: All comments must be received on or before July 7, 2026.
ADDRESSES: Comments concerning the information collection requirements
of this notice may be sent by any of the 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 instructions for submitting comments for docket number MSHA-
2026-0133.
<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 202-693-9440
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: Jessica D. Senk, Acting Director,
Office of Standards, Regulations, and Variances, MSHA, at
MSHA.information. <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#25464a49494046514c4a4b5665414a490b424a53"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="b5d6dad9d9d0d6c1dcdadbc6f5d1dad99bd2dac3">[email protected]</span></a> (email); (202) 693-9440 (voice);
or (202) 693-9441 (facsimile). These are not toll-free numbers.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
[[Page 25384]]
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 (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 and metal
and nonmetal (MNM) mines.
The Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (PRA, 44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq.)
governs paperwork burdens imposed on the public by Federal agencies for
using identical questions to collect information from 10 or more
persons. The PRA defines paperwork burden 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,
the PRA also establishes policies and procedures of information
collection for controlling paperwork burdens imposed by Federal
agencies on the public, including evaluating public comments.
B. Information Collection
To fulfill its statutory mandate to promote miners' health and
safety, MSHA requires information under the information collection
request (ICR) titled ``Qualification and Certification Program Request
for MSHA Individual Identification Number (MIIN).'' This information
collection is intended to ensure every individual wishing to receive a
license, including qualification, certification, or Part 90 status
updates from MSHA, can be identified with a unique MIIN from the
Agency.
MIINs are required by current standards under many circumstances.
MSHA issues certifications, qualifications, and approvals to the
nation's miners and instructors to conduct specific work and training
at coal and MNM mines. An individual must apply for a MIIN if the
person applies for a new MSHA qualification or certification or updates
an existing MSHA qualification or certification.
Burden costs associated with this ICR include:
1. Applying for MSHA Individual Identification Numbers (MIINs).
2. MSHA Approving MIINs.
The associated standards that authorize the collection of
information are described below.
1. Applying for MSHA Individual Identification Numbers (MIINs)
Individuals need MIINs to apply for and receive MSHA qualifications
and certifications. For example, MSHA requires a person with the
necessary certification to complete a CMDPSU Dust Data Card. Under 30
CFR 70.210(c), 71.207(c), and 90.208(c), the Dust Data Card shall be
signed by the certified person who actually performed the required
examinations during the sampling shift and shall include that person's
MIIN. Respirable dust samples with data cards not properly completed
may be voided by MSHA.
A MIIN is also used to identify miners who have exercised their
option to work in areas of a mine with respirable dust concentration at
or below 0.5 milligrams per cubic meter of air (Part 90 miners). Under
30 CFR 90.209(a), MSHA shall provide the operator with a CPDM report on
the respirable dust samples submitted or whose results were transmitted
electronically, including the Part 90 miner's MIIN. Under 30 CFR
90.209(c), the paper record of a CPDM Dust Data card of the sample run
must be provided to each Part 90 miner, including the Part 90 miner's
MIIN. Under 30 CFR 90.300(b), when an operator submits to the District
Manager for approval a written respirable dust control plan for the
affected Part 90 miner, each respirable dust control plan shall include
the name and MIIN of the Part 90 miner.
Under these provisions, individuals wishing to receive a license
from MSHA, e.g., a qualification, certification, or Part 90 status, are
required to furnish MSHA with a taxpayer identification number, in this
case a MIIN. MSHA uses MIINs instead of Social Security numbers (SSNs)
for all other MSHA collections that require a taxpayer identifying
number. The MIIN identifier fulfills Executive Order 13402,
Strengthening Federal Efforts Against Identity Theft, which requires
Federal agencies to better secure government-held data.
To receive a MIIN, an individual must apply to MSHA by completing
and submitting MSHA Form 5000-46, Request for MSHA Individual
Identification Number (MIIN). The miner then uses this unique number
when dealing with MSHA instead of providing their SSN.
2. MSHA Approving MIINs
Upon receiving an application for a MIIN, MSHA processes the
application and issues the individual with a MIIN.
II. Desired Focus of Comments
MSHA is soliciting comments concerning the proposed information
collection titled ``Qualification and Certification Program Request for
MSHA Individual Identification Number (MIIN).'' 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 ICR is available on <a href="https://www.regulations.gov">https://www.regulations.gov</a>. MSHA cautions
commenters 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 202-693-9440 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.
III. Current Actions
This ICR concerns provisions for Qualification and Certification
Program Request for MSHA Individual Identification Number (MIIN). MSHA
has updated the data with respect to the number of respondents,
responses, time burden, and burden costs supporting this ICR from the
previous ICR.
[[Page 25385]]
Type of Review: Extension, without change, of a currently approved
information collection.
Agency: Mine Safety and Health Administration.
OMB Number: 1219-0143.
Affected Public: Business or other for-profit entity.
Number of Annual Respondents: 9,000.
Frequency: On occasion.
Number of Annual Responses: 9,000.
Annual Time Burden: 720 hours.
Annual Recordkeeping Costs: $180.
MSHA Form: MSHA Form 5000-46, Request for MSHA Individual
Identification Number (MIIN).
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 ICR; they will become a matter of public
record and be available at <a href="https://www.reginfo.gov">https://www.reginfo.gov</a>.
Jessica D. Senk,
Certifying Officer, Mine Safety and Health Administration.
[FR Doc. 2026-09115 Filed 5-7-26; 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.