In 1999, the Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) published its final rule for part 46 Training, Training Plans, and Records for miners working at shell dredging, sand, gravel, surface stone, surface clay, colloidal phosphate, and surface limestone mines, the operations addressed by Part 46 regulations. Between 1995 and 1999, miners in these operations worked 1.07 billion hours and experienced 130 fatal injuries. Between 2007 and 2011, miners at part 46 mines worked 848 million hours and experienced 40 deaths, about 21 percent fewer hours and about 69 percent fewer fatalities. From 1999 through 2011, MSHA promulgated no other significant safety regulations affecting this industry sector.
Training informs miners of safety and health hazards inherent in the workplace and enables them to identify and avoid such hazards. Training becomes even more important in light of certain conditions that can exist when production demands increase, such as: an influx of new and less experienced miners and mine operators; longer work hours to meet production demands; and increased demand for contractors who may be less familiar with the dangers on mine property.
MSHA's objective in these existing health and safety training requirements is to ensure that all miners receive the required training, which would result in a decrease in accidents, injuries, and fatalities. MSHA enforces training requirements at approximately 12,559 surface nonmetal mines and contractors, 10,577 of which are covered by part 46 and 1,882 of which are covered by part 48. The information collection burden under part 48 is covered under OMB 1219-0009.
There are no program changes. The reported number of respondents has increased because the previous Supporting Statement erroneously excluded 50% of covered mines and contractors on grounds that 50% of the covered entities were already in compliance with part 46 before it was promulgated. The reported responses, hours, and costs have decreased because the previous Supporting Statement erroneously included responses, hours, and costs associated with training and preparation for training, which are not reportable as information collection.
Respondents: Increase of 4,252 (from 6,325 to 10,577)
Responses: Decrease of 52,135 (from 1,077,296 to 1,025,161)
Hours: Decrease of 158,229 (from 295,799 to 137,570)
Costs: Decrease of $177,993 (from $493,634 to $315,641)
On behalf of this Federal agency, I certify that the collection of information encompassed by this request complies with 5 CFR 1320.9 and the related provisions of 5 CFR 1320.8(b)(3).
The following is a summary of the topics, regarding the proposed collection of information, that the certification covers:
(i) Why the information is being collected;
(ii) Use of information;
(iii) Burden estimate;
(iv) Nature of response (voluntary, required for a benefit, or mandatory);
(v) Nature and extent of confidentiality; and
(vi) Need to display currently valid OMB control number;
If you are unable to certify compliance with any of these provisions, identify the item by leaving the box unchecked and explain the reason in the Supporting Statement.
1219-0131_Part_46_Training_final_SS__20120620.doc
1219-0131.pdf
Part 46 Training, Training Plans, and Records