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 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
MSHA estimates that annual
responses have decreased from 1,704,366 to 1,291,236. This is due
to a decrease in the number of samples. Burden Hours: MSHA
estimates that annual burden hours have decreased from 94,478 to
62,748. Costs: MSHA estimates that annual burden costs have
decreased from $40,967 to $28,065.
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.