Occupational Noise Exposure for Railroad Operating Employees

Forms and Documents

Document Name	Status
April 21 2021 FR Notice (30-Day).pdf Supplementary Document	2021-04-21
2130-0571_Occupational Noise Exposure.docx Supporting Statement A	2021-04-06
Dec. 18 2020 FR Notice (60-Day).pdf Supplementary Document	2021-03-31
49 CFR 229.121 and App. H.doc Supplementary Document	2008-12-11
49 CFR 227.doc Supplementary Document	2008-12-10
49USC20701.doc Supplementary Document	2006-10-27
49USC20702.doc Supplementary Document	2006-10-27
49USC20703.doc Supplementary Document	2006-10-27
49 U.S.C. 20103.doc Supplementary Document	2006-10-27
PL 102-365b.doc Supplementary Document	2006-10-27
49 CFR 1.49a.doc Supplementary Document	2006-10-27

IC Document Collections

IC ID	Document Title	Status
45829	Noise Monitoring and Waivers (§ 270.13 and § 270.103)	Modified
246694	Locomotive Cab Noise and In-Cab Static (§ 229.121 and Appendix H)	New
246693	Recordings and Requests (§ 227.121)	New
246692	Hearing Conservation Training Program (§ 227.119)	New
246691	Hearing Protection Attenuation (§ 227.117)	New
246690	Audiometric Test (§ 227.111)	New
246689	Audiometric Testing Program (§ 227.109)	New
246688	Hearing Conservation Program (§ 227.107)	New

ICR Details

OMB Control No: 2130-0571	ICR Reference No: 202103-2130-001
Status: Received in OIRA	Previous ICR Reference No: 201802-2130-004
Agency/Subagency: DOT/FRA	Agency Tracking No:
Title: Occupational Noise Exposure for Railroad Operating Employees
Type of Information Collection: Extension without change of a currently approved collection	Common Form ICR:  No
Type of Review Request: Regular	Date Submitted to OIRA: 04/21/2021

	Requested	Previously Approved
Expiration Date	36 Months From Approved	05/31/2021
Responses	159,925	164,734
Time Burden (Hours)	3,980	28,311
Cost Burden (Dollars)	0	0

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Abstract: This information collection is used by FRA to monitor regulatory compliance with 49 CFR Parts 227 and 229. Specifically, FRA uses the collection of information to ensure that railroads establish and implement noise monitoring, hearing conservation, and audiometric testing programs to protect their employees against the harmful effects of excessive noise in the workplace. Additionally, railroads must maintain testing and training records on noise and hearing conservation. This collection of information is mandatory and it involves both reporting and recordkeeping requirements. The collection frequency of the required information occurs on an annual basis as well as an occasional basis.

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Authorizing Statute(s): PL: Pub.L. 102 - 365 10 Name of Law: Rail Safety Enforcement and Review Act
  

Citations for New Statutory Requirements: None

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Associated Rulemaking Information
RIN:	Stage of Rulemaking:	Federal Register Citation:	Date:
	Not associated with rulemaking

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Federal Register Notices & Comments
60-day Notice:	Federal Register Citation:	Citation Date:
	85 FR 82577	12/18/2020
30-day Notice:	Federal Register Citation:	Citation Date:
	86 FR 20786	04/21/2021
Did the Agency receive public comments on this ICR? No

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Number of Information Collection (IC) in this ICR: 8

IC Title	Form No.	Form Name
Audiometric Test (§ 227.111)
Audiometric Testing Program (§ 227.109)
Hearing Conservation Program (§ 227.107)
Hearing Conservation Training Program (§ 227.119)
Hearing Protection Attenuation (§ 227.117)
Locomotive Cab Noise and In-Cab Static (§ 229.121 and Appendix H)
Noise Monitoring and Waivers (§ 270.13 and § 270.103)
Recordings and Requests (§ 227.121)

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ICR Summary of Burden

	Total Request	Previously Approved	Change Due to New Statute	Change Due to Agency Discretion	Change Due to Adjustment in Estimate	Change Due to Potential Violation of the PRA
Annual Number of Responses	159,925	164,734	0	0	-4,809	0
Annual Time Burden (Hours)	3,980	28,311	0	0	-24,331	0
Annual Cost Burden (Dollars)	0	0	0	0	0	0

Burden increases because of Program Change due to Agency Discretion: No

Burden Increase Due to:

Burden decreases because of Program Change due to Agency Discretion: No

Burden Reduction Due to:

Short Statement: The current OMB inventory for this information collection shows a total burden of 28,311 hours and 164,734 responses while the requesting inventory estimates a total burden of 3,980 hours and 159,925 responses. Overall, the burden for this submission has decreased by 24,331 hours and decreased by 4,809 responses. There is no change in the method of the collection. The decrease in burden is solely the result of adjustments. FRA determined some of the estimates were not PRA requirements, thus leading to the increased figures in the current inventory. For instance, non-PRA requirements, such as, trainings and testing were removed. The table under question 15 of the supporting justification provides specific information on any burden estimates that have changed from the previous submission.

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Annual Cost to Federal Government: $12,588

Does this IC contain surveys, censuses, or employ statistical methods? No

Does this ICR request any personally identifiable information (see OMB Circular No. A-130 for an explanation of this term)? Please consult with your agency's privacy program when making this determination.     No

Does this ICR include a form that requires a Privacy Act Statement (see 5 U.S.C. §552a(e)(3))? Please consult with your agency's privacy program when making this determination.     No

Is this ICR related to the Affordable Care Act [Pub. L. 111-148 & 111-152]? No

Is this ICR related to the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act, [Pub. L. 111-203]? No

Is this ICR related to the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA)? No

Is this ICR related to the Pandemic Response? No

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Common Form ICR:  No

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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:

(a) It is necessary for the proper performance of agency functions;

(b) It avoids unnecessary duplication;

(c) It reduces burden on small entities;

(d) It uses plain, coherent, and unambiguous language that is understandable to respondents;

(e) Its implementation will be consistent and compatible with current reporting and recordkeeping practices;

(f) It indicates the retention periods for recordkeeping requirements;

(g) It informs respondents of the information called for under 5 CFR 1320.8 (b)(3) about:

(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;

(h) It was developed by an office that has planned and allocated resources for the efficient and effective management and use of the information to be collected.

(i) It uses effective and efficient statistical survey methodology (if applicable); and

(j) It makes appropriate use of information technology.

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.

Certification Date: 04/21/2021

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