The Mine Safety and Health
Administration (MSHA) requires mine operators to provide important
safety and health protections to underground coal miners who work
on and around diesel-powered equipment. The engines powering diesel
equipment are potential contributors to fires and explosion hazards
in the confined environment of an underground coal mine where
combustible coal dust and explosive methane gas are present. Diesel
equipment operating in underground coal mines also can pose serious
health risks to miners from exposure to diesel exhaust emissions,
including diesel particulates, oxides of nitrogen, and carbon
monoxide. Diesel exhaust is a lung carcinogen in animals. The
information collection includes maintenance and use of diesel
equipment; tests and maintenance of fire suppression systems on
both the equipment and at fueling stations; and exhaust gas
sampling. The records are required to document that essential
testing and maintenance of diesel- powered equipment are conducted
regularly by qualified persons; that corrective actions are taken;
and the persons performing the maintenance, repairs, examinations,
and tests are trained and qualified to perform such tasks. The
safety requirements for diesel equipment include many of the proven
features required in existing standards for electric-powered mobile
equipment, such as cabs or canopies, methane monitors, brakes and
lights. Sampling of diesel exhaust emissions is required to protect
miners from overexposure to carbon monoxide and nitrogen dioxide
contained in diesel exhaust. Information collection requirements
are found in: § 75.1901(a) Diesel fuel requirements; § 75.1911 (j)
Fire suppression systems for diesel-powered equipment and fuel
transportation units; § 75.1912 (i) Fire suppression systems for
permanent underground diesel fuel storage facilities; §§
75.1914(f)(1), (f)(2), (g)(5), (h)(1), and (h)(2) Maintenance of
diesel-powered equipment; §§ 75.1915(b)(5), (c)(1), and (c)(2)
Training and qualification of persons working on diesel-powered
equipment.
The number of respondents
increased due to a greater number of underground coal mines using
diesel-powered equipment underground (from 213 mines to 223). The
last approved collection included the hour and cost burden
associated with the time to conduct training. It should have
included only the cost of the recordkeeping associated with the
training. This submission corrects the error. Because of this
correction, the number of responses and hour burden decreased. The
burden hour cost increased because the number of respondents
increased. Respondents: Increase of 10 (from 213 to 223) Responses:
Decrease of 11,249 (from 180,252 to 169,003) Burden Hours: Decrease
of 28,462 (from 42,826 to 14,364) Cost of Burden Hours: Increase of
$29,536 (from $428,272 to $457,808)
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.