SUMMARY: This proposed rule addresses two provisions of the Mine Safety
and Health Administration's final rule pertaining to ``Diesel
Particulate Matter Exposure of Underground Metal and Nonmetal Miners,''
published in the Federal Register on January 19, 2001 (66 FR 5706, RIN
1219-AB11).\1\ The two provisions are Sec. 57.5066(b)(regarding the
tagging provision of the Maintenance standard) and Sec. 57.5067(b)
(regarding the definition of ``introduced'' in the Engine standard).
This proposal gives notice of MSHA's intent to revise these two
provisions and requests comments from the mining community.
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\1\ On March 15, 2001, the effective date of the final rule was
extended to May 21, 2001 (66 FR 15033). On May 21, 2001, the
effective date was further extended until July 5, 2001 (66 FR
27863). On July 5, 2001, MSHA delayed the effective date of
Sec. 57.5066(b) (66 FR (to be added by the FR)).
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By this document, the Agency is also announcing its intent to hold
a public hearing pursuant to section 101 of the Federal Mine Safety and
Health Act of 1977 (Mine Act).
DATES: Comments on the proposed rule must be received on or before
August 6, 2001.
The public hearing will be held on August 16, 2001 in Arlington,
Virginia.
If individuals or organizations wish to make an oral presentation
for the record, submit your request at least 5 days prior to the
hearing date. However, you do not have to make a written request to
speak. Any unalloted time will be made available for persons making
same-day requests.
The rulemaking record will close August 20, 2001.
ADDRESSES: Comments on the proposed rule may be transmitted by
electronic mail, fax, or mail. Comments by electronic mail must be
clearly identified as such and sent to this e-mail address:
zzMSHA-Comments@dol.gov. Comments by fax must be clearly identified as such
and sent to: MSHA, Office of Standards, Regulations, and Variances,
703-235-5551. Send comments by mail to: MSHA, Office of Standards,
Regulations, and Variances, Room 631, 4015 Wilson Boulevard, Arlington,
VA 22203-1984.
You may use mail, fax or electronic mail to send us your request to
make an oral presentation at the public hearing.
The hearing will begin at 9:00 a.m. and will be held at:The U.S.
Department of Labor,Mine Safety and Health Administration,7th Floor
Conference Room,4015 Wilson Boulevard,Arlington, Va 22203.
This proposed rule is available on MSHA's webpage at http://
www.msha.gov, under Statutory and Regulatory Information.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: David L. Meyer, Director; Office of
Standards, Regulations, and Variances; MSHA, 4015 Wilson Boulevard,
Arlington, Virginia 22203-1984. Mr. Meyer can be reached at Meyer.David@dol.gov (E-mail), 703-235-1910 (Voice), or 703-235-5551 (Fax).
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
I. Background
On January 19, 2001 (66 FR 5706), MSHA published a final rule
addressing the exposure of underground metal and nonmetal miners to
diesel particulate matter (dpm). The final rule establishes new health
standards for underground metal and nonmetal miners working at mines
that use equipment powered by diesel engines. The rule is designed to
reduce the risk to these miners of serious health hazards that are
associated with exposure to high concentrations of dpm. The final rule
was to become effective on March 20, 2001.
On January 29, 2001, Anglogold (Jerritt Canyon) Corp. and Kennecott Greens Creek Mining Company filed a petition for review of the rule in
the District of Columbia Circuit. On February 7, 2001, the Georgia
Mining Association, the National Mining Association, the Salt
Institute, and MARG Diesel Coalition filed a similar petition in the
Eleventh Circuit. On March 14, 2001, Getchell Gold Corporation
petitioned for review of the rule in the District of Columbia Circuit.
The three petitions have been consolidated and are pending in the
District of Columbia Circuit. The United Steelworkers of America (USWA)
has intervened in the Anglogold case.
While these challenges were pending, the Anglogold petitioners
filed with MSHA an application for reconsideration and amendment of the
final rule and to postpone the effective date of the final rule pending
judicial review. The Georgia Mining petitioners similarly filed with
MSHA a request for an administrative stay or postponement of the
effective date of the rule. On March 15, 2001 (66 FR 15033), MSHA
delayed the effective date of the final rule until May 21, 2001, in
accordance with a January 20, 2001 memorandum from the President's
Chief of Staff (66 FR 7702). This delay was necessary to give
Department of Labor officials the opportunity for further review and
consideration of these new regulations. On May 21, 2001 (66 FR 27863),
MSHA published a document in the Federal Register delaying the
effective date of the final rule until July 5, 2001.
Elsewhere in this issue of the Federal Register, MSHA is publishing
a final rule addressing the exposure of underground metal and nonmetal
miners to diesel particulate matter. In the same Federal Register
document, MSHA also delayed the effective date of one provision of the
final rule, Sec. 57.5066(b) (regarding the tagging provision of the
Maintenance standard) because MSHA believes it needs further
clarification, and that the affected mining public could benefit from
further dialogue. MSHA believes that this dialogue will both clarify
the delayed provision and help ensure that it is effectively
implemented, thus providing improved health protection for miners. MSHA
also believes that the delay of the effective date of this provision
will assist the parties in negotiating an acceptable disposition of the
current pending litigation.
This proposed rule also has been developed to revise the language
of Sec. 57.5066(b) (regarding the tagging provision of the Maintenance
standard) and to add a new paragraph (b)(3) to Sec. 57.5067(b)
(regarding the definition of the term ``introduced'' in the Engine
standard) of MSHA's final rule addressing the exposure of underground
metal and nonmetal miners to diesel particulate matter.
MSHA believes that the issues surrounding the two provisions need
further input from the public. MSHA will consider all comments on the
delayed provision and on the issue of ``introduced'' currently within
the rulemaking record to the January 2001 final rule, as well as any
other comments received on this proposed rule. Commenters are
encouraged to submit their comments on or before August 6, 2001. Your
comments will become a part of the official rulemaking record.
Interested persons are encouraged to supplement written comments with
computer files or disks; please contact MSHA with any questions about
format.
II. Proposed Rule
A. Section 57.5066(b) (Tagging Provision of Maintenance Standards)
Paragraph (b)(1) of Sec. 57.5066(b) as published on January 19,
2001, requires the operators of underground metal and nonmetal mines to
authorize and require miners who operate diesel-powered equipment to
affix a visible and dated tag to the equipment at any time the
equipment operator notes any evidence that the equipment may require
maintenance. Paragraph (b)(2) requires the mine operator to make
certain that the tagged equipment be ``promptly'' examined by a person
authorized by the mine operator to maintain diesel equipment, and
prohibits removal of the tag until after the examination is completed.
Paragraph (b)(3) requires that a log be retained of all equipment
tagged. This provision specifically lists the information that mine
operators must include in the log.
MSHA proposes to revise Sec. 57.5066(b)(1) of the final rule to
require that a mine operator authorize each miner who operates diesel-
powered equipment underground to affix a visible and dated tag to the
equipment when the miner notes evidence that the equipment may require
maintenance.
MSHA is proposing to clarify the term ``evidence'' to mean
``visible smoke or odor that is unusual for that piece of equipment
under normal operating procedures, or obvious or visible defects in the
exhaust emissions control system or in the engine affecting
emissions''.
Proposed paragraph (b)(2) would require that a mine operator ensure
that any equipment tagged pursuant to this section is promptly examined
by a person authorized by the mine operator to maintain diesel
equipment, and that the affixed tag not be removed until after the
examination has been completed. MSHA is proposing that the term
``promptly'' means before the end of the next shift during which a
qualified mechanic is scheduled to work.
No change is proposed to the language in paragraph(b)(3).
B. Section 57.5067(b)(3) (Definition of ``Introduced'' in the Engine
Provision)
Paragraph (a) of Sec. 57.5067 of the final rule requires that any
diesel engines added to the fleet of an underground metal or nonmetal
mine in the future be either engines approved by MSHA under 30 CFR Part
7 or 30 CFR Part 36 or engines that meet or exceed the applicable dpm
emission requirements of the EPA. Diesel engines used in ambulances and
firefighting equipment are specifically exempted in the final rule from
this provision. Only engines approved by MSHA as permissible can be
used in areas of the mine where permissible diesel equipment is
required. The composition of the existing fleet in an underground metal
and nonmetal mine is not impacted by the final rule. However, after the
final rule's effective date, any engine introduced into the underground
areas of the mine must be either MSHA approved or meet the applicable
EPA requirements.
Paragraph (b)(1) of Sec. 57.5067 of the final rule defines the term
``introduced'' to mean any engine added to the underground inventory of
engines of the mine in question, including an engine in newly purchased
equipment; an engine in used equipment brought into the mine; and a
replacement engine that has a different serial number than the engine
it is replacing. MSHA did not intend, however, for this provision to
require a mine operator who moves diesel-powered equipment from one
underground mine to another underground mine operated by the same mine
operator to obtain MSHA approval for the diesel engine pursuant to 30
CFR part 7 or 30 CFR part 36, or meet or exceed the applicable dpm
emission requirements of the EPA that are incorporated in paragraph (a)
of Sec. 57.5067.
MSHA proposes no change to paragraph (b)(2).
Accordingly, MSHA proposes to add paragraph (b)(3) to Sec. 57.5067
to clarify that a mine operator operating more than one underground
mine may move a piece of diesel-powered equipment from one underground
mine to another underground mine even though each underground mine
operated by that same operator has a different mine identification
number.
III. Impact Analyses
A. Cost and Benefits: Executive Order 12866
There are no costs associated with this proposed rule. The costs
shown in the Preliminary Regulatory Economic Analysis (PREA) were taken
directly from the Regulatory Economic Analysis (REA) that supported the
dpm final rule. These costs are repeated in the PREA in order to give a
detailed account of the provisions as they were discussed in the REA
that supported the dpm final rule. Because the costs in the PREA have
already been accounted for in the REA that supported the dpm final
rule, the PREA introduces no new or additional costs.
Executive Order 12866 requires that regulatory agencies assess both
the costs and benefits of intended regulations. MSHA determined that
the DPM final rule (including the two provisions in the PREA) was not
economically significant but was a significant regulatory action under
Executive Order 12866.
B. Regulatory Flexibility Certification
The Regulatory Flexibility Act (RFA) requires regulatory agencies
to consider a rule's economic impact on small entities. Under the RFA,
MSHA must use the Small Business Administration's (SBA's) criterion for
a small entity in determining a rule's economic impact unless, after
consultation with the SBA Office of Advocacy, MSHA establishes an
alternative definition for a small mine and publishes that definition
in the Federal Register for notice and comment. For the mining
industry, SBA defines ``small'' as a mine with 500 or fewer workers.
MSHA traditionally has considered small mines to be those with fewer
than 20 workers. To ensure that the final rule conforms with the RFA,
MSHA has analyzed the economic impact of the final rule on mines with
500 or fewer workers (as well as on those with fewer than 20 workers).
MSHA has concluded that the proposed rule would not have a significant
economic impact on a substantial number of small entities.
C. Unfunded Mandates Reform Act of 1995
For purposes of the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act of 1995, the
proposed rule does not include any Federal mandate that may result in
increased expenditures by State, local, or tribal governments, or
increased expenditures by the private sector of more than $100 million.
D. Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (PRA)
The proposed rule would impose no new or additional burden hours or
related costs. Burden hours and related costs shown in the PREA were
taken from the REA that supported the dpm final rule. These burden
hours and costs were presented in the PREA in order to give a detailed
account of the two provisions.
E. National Environmental Policy Act
The National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) of 1969 requires each
Federal agency to consider the environmental effects of proposed
actions and to prepare an Environmental Impact Statement on major
actions significantly affecting the quality of the environment. MSHA
has reviewed the proposed rule in accordance with NEPA requirements (42
U.S.C. 4321 et seq.), the regulations of the Council of Environmental
Quality (40 CFR part 1500), and the Department of Labor's NEPA
procedures (29 CFR part 11). As a result of this review, MSHA has
determined that this rule will have no significant environmental
impact.
F. Executive Order 12630
This proposed rule is not subject to Executive Order 12630,
Governmental Actions and Interference with Constitutionally Protected
Property Rights, because it does not involve implementation of a policy
with takings implications.
G. Executive Order 13045 Protection of Children From Environmental
Health Risks
In accordance with Executive Order 13045, MSHA has evaluated the
environmental health and safety effects of the proposed rule on
children. MSHA has determined that the rule will not have an adverse
impact on children.
H. Executive Order 12988 (Civil Justice)
MSHA has reviewed Executive Order 12988, Civil Justice Reform, and
determined that the proposed rule will not unduly burden the Federal
court system. The rule has been written so as to provide a clear legal
standard for affected conduct, and has been reviewed carefully to
eliminate drafting errors and ambiguities.
I. Executive Order 13084 Consultation and Coordination With Indian
Tribal Governments
MSHA certifies that the proposed rule will not impose substantial
direct compliance costs on Indian tribal governments.
J. Executive Order 13132 (Federalism)
MSHA has reviewed the proposed rule in accordance withExecutive
Order 13132 regarding federalism and has determined that it does not
have ``federalism implications.'' The proposed rule does not ``have
substantial direct effects on the States, on the relationship between
the national government and the States, or on the distribution of power
and responsibilities among the various levels of government.''
K. Executive Order 13211 (Energy)
MSHA has reviewed this proposed rule in accordance with Executive
Order 13211 regarding the energy effects of Federal regulations and has
determined that this proposed rule does not have any adverse effects on
energy supply, distribution, or use. Therefore, no reasonable
alternatives to this action are necessary.
IV. Conduct of Public Hearing
The hearing will be conducted in an informal manner. Although
formal rules of evidence or cross examination will not apply, the
presiding official may exercise discretion to ensure the orderly
progress of the hearing and may exclude irrelevant or unduly
repetitious material and questions.
The hearing will begin with an opening statement from MSHA,
followed by an opportunity for members of the public to make oral
presentations. The hearing panel may ask questions of speakers. At the
discretion of the presiding official, the time allocated to speakers
for their presentation may be limited.
A verbatim transcript of the proceeding will be prepared and made a
part of the rulemaking record. Copies of the transcript will be
available to the public. The transcript will also be available on
MSHA's webpage at http://www.msha.gov, under Statutory and Regulatory
Information.
MSHA will accept additional written comments and other appropriate
data for the record from any interested party, including those not
presenting oral statements. Written comments will be included in the
rulemaking record.
V. Close of Record
To allow for the submission of post-hearing comments, the
rulemaking record will close on August 20, 2001.
List of Subjects in 30 CFR Part 57
Diesel particulate matter, Metal and Nonmetal, Mine Safety and
Health, Underground mines.
It is proposed to amend Chapter I of Title 30 as follows:
PART 57--[AMENDED]
1. The authority citation for part 57 continues to read as follows:
Authority: 30 U.S.C. 811.
2. Paragraphs (b)(1) and (b)(2) of Sec. 57.5066 are revised to read
as follows:
Sec. 57.5066 Maintenance standards.
* * * * *
(b)(1) A mine operator must authorize each miner operating diesel-
powered equipment underground to affix a visible and dated tag to the
equipment when the miner notes evidence that the equipment may require
maintenance in order to comply with the maintenance standards of
paragraph (a) of this section. The term ``evidence'' means visible
smoke or odor that is unusual for that piece of equipment under normal
operating procedures, or obvious or visible defects in the exhaust
emissions control system or in the engine affecting emissions.
(2) A mine operator must ensure that any equipment tagged pursuant
to this section is promptly examined by a person authorized to maintain
diesel equipment, and that the affixed tag not be removed until the
examination has been completed. The term ``promptly'' means before the
end of the next shift during which a qualified mechanic is scheduled to
work.
* * * * *
3. Section 57.5067 is amended by adding paragraph (b)(3) to read as
follows:
Sec. 57.5067 Engines.
* * * * *
(b) * * *
(3) The term ``introduced'' does not include the transfer of
engines or equipment from the inventory of one underground mine to
another underground mine operated by the same mine operator.
Signed at Arlington, VA, this 29th day of June, 2001.
Dave D. Lauriski,
Assistant Secretary of Labor for Mine Safety and Health.
[FR Doc. 01-16838 Filed 7-3-01; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4510-42-P
