Federal Register Document: Notice: Proposed Information Collection Request Submitted for Public Comment and Recommendation; Noise Data Report Form and Calibration; [05/21/1999]

[Federal Register: May 21, 1999 (Volume 64, Number 98)]

[Notices]

[Page 27818-27819]

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DEPARTMENT OF LABOR
Mine Safety and Health Administration

Proposed Information Collection Request Submitted for Public Comment and Recommendations; Noise Data Report Form and Calibration Records

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 continuing collections 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.

Currently, the Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) is soliciting comments concerning the proposed reinstatement of the information collection related to the Coal Mine Noise Data Report and Calibration Records. MSHA is particularly interested in comments which:

Evaluate whether the proposed 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 proposed 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 below in the For Further Information Contact: section of this notice.

DATES: Submit comments on or before July 20, 1999.

ADDRESSES: Send comments to Theresa M. O'Malley, Program Analysis Officer, Office of Program Evaluation and Information Resources, U.S. Department of Labor, Mine Safety and Health Administration, Room 719, 4015 Wilson Boulevard, Arlington, VA 22203-1984.

Commenters are encouraged to send their comments on a computer disk, via E-mail to tomalley@dol.gov, along with an original printed copy. Ms. O'Malley can be reached at (703) 235-1470 (voice), or (703) 235-1563 (facsimile).

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Theresa M. O'Malley Program Analysis Officer, Officer of Program Evaluation and Information Resources, U.S. Department of Labor, Mine Safety and Health Administration, Room 719, 4015 Wilson Boulevard, Arlington, VA 22203-1984. Mrs. O'Malley can be reached at tomalley@dol.gov (Internet E-mail), (703) 235-1470 (voice), or (703) 235-1563 (facsimile).

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Background

This information is used to evaluate the average noise levels to which miners may be exposed. The information is evaluated to determine if miners working at a particular occupation or operating a particular type of equipment may be exposed to excessive noise levels. This type of information may be useful in determining if there is a need for MSHA to evaluate the miners work area, and to require the mine operator to develop a hearing conservation plan to adequately protect the miners from being exposed to excessive noise levels. In addition, the information may be used to determine if research is needed to assist in the development of engineering controls on equipment that typically generate high noise levels.

II. Current Actions

MSHA inspection personnel routinely conduct a noise survey from a representative number of miners working at various occupations. However, MSHA does not have the resources to conduct a noise survey from the working environment of all miners annually. MSHA relies on the information from the mine operators to determine if there is a need to evaluate the miners work area or to conduct a noise survey. In addition, when a

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determination is made that the noise levels being generated by a particular type of equipment are typically above the permissible limits, MSHA uses this information to solicit input from the equipment manufacturers in determining if engineering changes can be made to the equipment to reduce the noise levels to within permissible limits.

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                                                                   Total        Average time  per       Burden
            30 CFR              Respondents      Frequency       responses          response            hours
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70.506:
    Calibrator................          971  Annually.........          971  3 min.................           49
    Dosimeter.................          971  Annually.........          971  3 min.................           49
70.508(a):
    Survey....................       47,998  Semi-Ann.........       95,996  15 min................       24,000
    Report....................       47,998  Semi-Ann.........       95,996  6 min.................        9,600
70.508(b):
    Survey/report.............          485  Semi-Ann.........          970  6 min.................           97
70.509:
    Survey....................          963  Annually.........          963  15 min................          241
    Report....................          963  Annually.........          963  6 min.................           96
71.803(a):
    Survey....................       47,340  Semi-Ann.........       94,680  15 min................       23,670
    Report....................       47,340  Semi-Ann.........       94,680  6 min.................        9,468
71.803(b):
    Certify...................          478  Semi-Ann.........          956  6 min.................           96
71.804(a):
    Survey....................          478  Annually.........          478  15 min................          120
    Report....................          478  Annually.........          478  6 min.................           48
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        Totals................      196,463  .................      388,102  ......................       67,534
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Dated: May 18, 1999.
Theresa M. O'Malley,
Chief, Records Management Branch.
[FR Doc. 99-12913 Filed 5-20-99; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4510-43-M