The title of the information
collection is being changed from "Mine Operator Dust Data Card" to
"Respirable Coal Mine Dust Sampling" to more accurately reflect the
type of information that is collected. Section 103(h) of the
Federal Mine Safety and Health Act of 1977 (Mine Act), 30 U.S.C. §
813(h), authorizes MSHA to collect information necessary to carry
out its duty to protect the safety and health of miners. Further,
Section 101(a) of the Mine Act, 30 U.S.C. 811(a), authorizes the
Secretary to develop, promulgate, and revise as may be appropriate,
improved mandatory health or safety standards for the protection of
life and prevention of injuries in coal or other mines. The
existing standards provide that each coal mine operator sample
bimonthly the designated occupations or work locations of the mine
and submit these samples to MSHA for analysis to determine if the
mine is complying with the applicable dust standards.
US Code:
30
USC 811(a) Name of Law: Federal Mine Safety and Health Act of
1977
US Code: 30
USC 813(h) Name of Law: Federal Mine Safety and Health Act of
1977
Respondents: MSHA estimates
that the number of respondents have increased from 800 to 1,035
underground and surface coal mine operators. The increase is due to
provisions added to this collection from the approved package ICR
Reference Number, 201210-1219-002. In addition, under respirable
coal mine dust sampling requirements that were in the previous ICR
1219-0011, not all surface coal mine operators were required to
sample. As a result, the previous ICR did not include all surface
coal mine operators. However, this ICR package includes all surface
coal mine operators because now they are required to sample for
respirable coal mine dust. Thus, the number of responses, hours and
costs has increased. Responses: MSHA estimates that annual
responses have increased from 69,135 to 1,704,366. Burden Hours:
MSHA estimates that annual burden hours have increased from 8,571
to 94,478. Costs: MSHA estimates that annual burden costs have
decreased from $44,065 to $40,967.
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.