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
AGENCY: Mine Safety and Health Administration, Labor.
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.
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 which:
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 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 October 28, 2002.
ADDRESSES: Send comments to David L. Meyer, Director, Office of
Administration and Management, 1100 Wilson Boulevard, Room 2125,
Arlington, VA 22209-3939. Commenters are encouraged to send their
comments on a computer disk, or via Internet e-mail to Meyer.David@dol.gov, along with an original printed copy. Mr. Meyer can be
reached at (202) 693-9802 (voice), or (202) 693-9801 (facsimile).
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Jane Tarr, Management Analyst, Records
Management Group, U.S. Department of Labor, Mine Safety and Health
Administration, Room 2171, 1100 Wilson Boulevard, Arlington, VA 22209-
3939. Ms. Tarr can be reached at Tarr.Jane@dol.gov (Internet e-mail),
(202) 693-9824 (voice), or (202) 693-9801 (facsimile). This Information
Collection Request (ICB) may be 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.''
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. 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. Affected Public: Business or other for-profit institutions.
Total Burden Cost (capital/startup): $0. Total Burden Cost (operating/maintaining): $4,151,367.
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: August 23, 2002.
David L. Meyer,
Director, Office of Administration and Management.
[FR Doc. 02-22020 Filed 8-28-02; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4510-43-M
Back to Top