1219-0152 Supporting Statement 2023

Periodic Medical Surveillance Examinations for Coal Miners

OMB Control Number.: 1219-0152

OMB Expiration Date: 10/31/2023

Supporting Statement for

Paperwork Reduction Act Submission

This ICR seeks to extend, without change, an existing information collection request.

OMB Control Number: 1219-0152

Information Collection Request Title: Periodic Medical Surveillance Examinations for Coal Miners

Authority: 30 CFR 72.100(d) and 30 CFR 72.100(e) Periodic examinations.

Collection Instrument(s): None

General Instructions

A Supporting Statement, including the text of the notice to the public required by 5 CFR 1320.5(a)(i)(iv) and its actual or estimated date of publication in the Federal Register, must accompany each request for approval of a collection of information. The Supporting Statement must be prepared in the format described below, and must contain the information specified in Section A below. If an item is not applicable, provide a brief explanation. When the question “Does this ICR contain surveys, censuses or employ statistical methods” is checked "Yes", Section B of the Supporting Statement must be completed. OMB reserves the right to require the submission of additional information with respect to any request for approval.

Specific Instructions

A. Justification

1. Explain the circumstances that make the collection of information necessary. Identify any legal or administrative requirements that necessitate the collection. Attach a copy of the appropriate section of each statute and regulation mandating or authorizing the collection of information.

Section 103(h) of the Federal Mine Safety and Health Act of 1977 (Mine Act), 30 U.S.C. 813(h), authorizes the Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) to collect information necessary to carry out its duty in protecting the safety and health of miners. Further, section 101(a) of the Mine Act, 30 U.S.C. 811, authorizes the Secretary of Labor (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 and metal and nonmetal mines.

Chronic exposure to respirable coal mine dust causes lung diseases including coal worker’s pneumoconiosis (CWP), emphysema, silicosis, and chronic bronchitis, collectively known as “black lung.” There are no specific treatments to cure black lung. Chronic effects may progress even after miners are no longer exposed to respirable coal mine dust resulting in increased disability and death. Other complications from exposure to respirable coal mine dust, such as pulmonary and cardiac failure, may result in total disability and premature death.

Considerable progress has been made in lowering respirable coal mine dust levels since 1970 and, consequently, lowering the prevalence rate of CWP among coal miners.  However, severe forms of this disease continue to be identified.  Information from the federally funded Coal Workers’ Health Surveillance Programs administered by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) indicate that CWP remains a key occupational health risk among the nation’s coal miners. NIOSH reported CWP prevalence for miners who voluntarily participated in the Coal Workers X-ray Surveillance Program (CWXSP), which occurred from 1970 to 2009. NIOSH surveillance data (2005 to 2009) indicate that 6.9 percent of underground coal miners with over 25 years of exposure to respirable coal mine dust were diagnosed with CWP. Approximately 0.6 percent of miners with less than 10 years of respirable coal mine dust exposure were diagnosed with CWP during the same time period. These younger miners had less cumulative exposure to respirable coal mine dust than the miners with over 25 years exposure. Overall, 4.1 percent of all underground coal miners were diagnosed with CWP during the 2005 to 2009 time period. 79 FR 24826, Table III-2. Furthermore, as of December 2015, according to the Department of Labor’s (DOL) Office of Workers' Compensation Programs, Division of Coal Mine Workers’ Compensation, the federal government has paid over $46 billion in Federal Black Lung benefits to beneficiaries (former miners, widows, dependents) since 1970 (http://www.dol.gov/owcp/dcmwc/statistics/TotalBenefitsPayment.htm).

The Mine Act authorizes NIOSH to study the causes and consequences of coal-related respiratory disease, and in cooperation with MSHA, to carry out a program for early detection and prevention of pneumoconiosis. NIOSH administers the National Coal Workers’ Health Surveillance Program, “Specifications for Medical Examinations of Underground Coal Miners,” as specified in 42 CFR 37. 30 CFR 72.100 contains collection requirements for these activities in paragraphs (d) and (e).

30 CFR 72.100(d) requires that each mine operator must develop and submit a plan for NIOSH approval in accordance with 42 CFR 37 for providing miners with the required periodic examinations specified in 30 CFR 72.100(a) and a roster specifying the name and current address of each miner covered by the plan.

30 CFR 72.100(e) requires that each mine operator must post on the mine bulletin board at all times the approved plan for providing the examinations specified in 30 CFR 72.100(a).

30 CFR 72.100(d) and (e) mirror NIOSH information collection requirements under 42 CFR 37.4 (existing OMB No. 0920-0020). Including these requirements allows MSHA to use its inspection and enforcement authority to ensure that operators comply with these provisions.

2. Indicate how, by whom, and for what purpose the information is to be used. Except for a new collection, indicate the actual use the agency has made of the information received from the current collection.

The respondents for this information collection are coal mine operators. The requirements in this collection are used by coal mine operators, miners, and state and federal mine inspectors.

30 CFR 72.100(d) and (e) include requirements related to records for medical surveillance periodic examinations for underground and surface coal miners. MSHA uses the information to ensure that operators submit to NIOSH a plan for periodic examinations and a roster with names and current addresses of miners covered by the plan. In addition, the requirement to post the plan informs miners and MSHA of plan provisions and the availability of examinations.

3. Describe whether, and to what extent, the collection of information involves the use of automated, electronic, mechanical, or other technological collection techniques or other forms of information technology, e.g., permitting electronic submission of responses, and the basis for the decision for adopting this means of collection. Also describe any consideration of using information technology to reduce burden.

The provisions do not specify how records must be kept. However, the plan for providing periodic examinations must be posted on the mine bulletin board at all times. Also, the mine operator must have a roster specifying the names and current address of each miner covered by the plan. The records may be on paper or stored electronically, provided that the records are secure, not susceptible to alteration, retrievable, and maintained at least for the time required by applicable regulations.

4. Describe efforts to identify duplication. Show specifically why any similar information already available cannot be used or modified for use for the purposes described in Item 2 above.

Existing NIOSH rules require a plan for providing underground coal miners with chest x-rays and a roster of names and current mailing addresses of miners covered by the plan. MSHA’s requires operators to have a roster and a plan submitted to NIOSH for approval in accordance with NIOSH’s regulations in 42 CFR 37. MSHA also requires the plan to include providing chest X-rays, spirometry, symptom assessment, and occupational history to both underground coal miners and surface coal miners. Where NIOSH and MSHA have overlapping requirements, adherence to the NIOSH requirements will satisfy the MSHA requirements. MSHA enforces the requirements that coal mine operators provide the examinations within the time frames established under the rule and at an approved facility. This does not impose a duplicative burden. MSHA knows of no other federal or state information collection requirements that duplicate this request.

5. If the collection of information impacts small businesses or other small entities, describe any methods used to minimize burden.

This information does not have a significant impact on small businesses or other small entities.

6. Describe the consequence to Federal program or policy activities if the collection is not conducted or is conducted less frequently, as well as any technical or legal obstacles to reducing burden.

Existing NIOSH regulations require mine operators to submit plans for periodic medical surveillance examinations for underground and surface coal miners and rosters of current miners and their addresses. Under 30 CFR 72.100, coal mine operators must submit such plans and information because all coal miners are at risk of developing black lung disease as a result of respirable coal mine dust exposure. Miners benefit from periodic medical examinations which provide information on their health status and enable them to take actions to prevent disease progression. The frequency of submitting this data is the same as required by NIOSH.

7. Explain any special circumstances that would cause an information collection to be conducted in a manner:

• Requiring respondents to report information to the agency more often than quarterly;

• Requiring respondents to prepare a written response to a collection of information in fewer than 30 days after receipt of it;

• Requiring respondents to submit more than an original and two copies of any document;

• Requiring respondents to retain records, other than health, medical, government contract, grant-in-aid, or tax records for more than three years;

• In connection with a statistical survey, that is not designed to produce valid and reliable results that can be generalized to the universe of study;

• Requiring the use of a statistical data classification that has not been reviewed and approved by OMB;

• That includes a pledge of confidentiality that is not supported by authority established in statute or regulation, that is not supported by disclosure and data security policies that are consistent with the pledge, or which unnecessarily impedes sharing of data with other agencies for compatible confidential use; or

• Requiring respondents to submit proprietary trade secret, or other confidential information unless the agency can demonstrate that it has instituted procedures to protect the information’s confidentiality to the extent permitted by law.

The collection of information is consistent with the guidelines in 5 CFR 1320.5.

8. If applicable, provide a copy and identify the data and page number of publication in the Federal Register of the agency’s notice, required by 5 CFR 1320.8(d), soliciting comments on the information collection prior to submission to OMB. Summarize public comments received in response to that notice and describe actions taken by the agency in response to these comments. Specifically address comments received on cost and hour burden.

Describe efforts to consult with persons outside the agency to obtain their views on the availability of data, frequency of collection, the clarity of instructions and recordkeeping, disclosure, or reporting format (if any), and on the data elements to be recorded, disclosed, or reported.

Consultation with representatives of those from whom information is to be obtained or those who must compile records should occur at least once every 3 years -- even if the collection of information activity is the same as in prior periods. There may be circumstances that may preclude consultation in a specific situation. These circumstances should be explained.

In accordance with 5 CFR 1320.8(d), MSHA will publish the proposed information collection requirements in the Federal Register, notifying the public that these information collection requirements are being reviewed in accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, and giving interested persons 60 days to submit comments. MSHA published a 60-day Federal Register notice on March 21, 2023 (88 FR 54). No comments received.

9. Explain any decision to provide any payment or gift to respondents, other than remuneration of contractors or grantees.

MSHA provides no payments or gifts to the respondents identified in this collection.

10. Describe any assurance of confidentiality provided to respondents and the basis for the assurance in statute, regulation, or agency policy.

MSHA does not provide any assurance of confidentiality.

11. Provide additional justification for any questions of a sensitive nature, such as sexual behavior and attitudes, religious beliefs, and other matters that are commonly considered private. This justification should include the reasons why the agency considers the questions necessary, the specific uses to be made of the information, the explanation to be given to persons from whom the information is requested, and any steps to be taken to obtain their consent.

There are no questions of a sensitive nature.

12. Provide estimates of the hour burden of the collection of information. The statement should:

• Indicate the number of respondents, frequency of response, annual hour burden, and an explanation of how the burden was estimated. Unless directed to do so, agencies should not conduct special surveys to obtain information on which to base hour burden estimates. Consultation with a sample (fewer than 10) of potential respondents is desirable. If the hour burden on respondents is expected to vary widely because of differences in activity, size, or complexity, show the range of estimated hour burden, and explain the reasons for the variance. Generally, estimates should not include burden hours for customary and usual business practices.

• If this request for approval covers more than one form, provide separate hour burden estimates for each form and aggregate the hour burdens.

• Provide estimates of annualized cost to respondents for the hour burdens for collections of information, identifying and using appropriate wage rate categories. The cost of contracting out or paying outside parties for information collection activities should not be included here. Instead, this cost should be included under ‘Annual Cost to Federal Government’.

PRA Respondents

Based on information as of Oct 1, 2021, MSHA estimates that there will be 664 active mines that need to submit plans for medical surveillance examination, of which 152 are underground coal mines and 512 are surface coal mines.

Wage Rates Determinations¹

MSHA used data from the May 2021 Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) published by the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) for hourly wage rates² and adjusted the rates for benefits³ and wage inflation⁴. The occupations listed below in Table 12-1 are those that were determined to be relevant for the cost calculations.

Table 12-1 Hourly Wage Rates		A	B	C	A x B x C
Occupation	NAICS Code	Mean Wage Rate	Benefit Multiplier	Inflation Multiplier	Loaded Hourly Wage Rate
Mining Supervisor*	212200	$47.68	1.488	1.034	$73.73
Office Clerk**	212200	$21.49	1.488	1.034	$33.06

*The Standard Occupation Codes (SOC) used for this occupation are (47-1101), (49-1011), (51-1011), and (53-1047).

** The Standard Occupation Code (SOC) used for this occupation is (43-9061).

1. Update Roster and Post Plan (§72.100(d) and §72.100(e))

30 CFR 72.100(d) requires each coal mine operator to develop and submit to NIOSH a plan as specified in 42 CFR 37 for providing miners with the examinations specified in 30 CFR 72.100(a) and a roster specifying the name and current address of each miner covered by the plan. 30 CFR 72.100(e) requires operators to post the approved plan on the mine bulletin board. Under 42 CFR 37.4, each operator of a coal mine is required to submit to NIOSH a plan for providing miners with the required medical examinations and post the plan on the mine bulletin board. NIOSH requires the operators to submit to NIOSH an employee roster with the plan. MSHA estimates that every mine submits an updated roster to NIOSH annually.

MSHA estimates that it takes a mining supervisor, earning $73.73 per hour, 10 minutes to update the roster and plan. MSHA also estimates that it takes a clerical employee, earning $33.06 per hour, 5 minutes to copy and submit the revised roster and plan to NIOSH and post the plan.

Table 12-2 Estimated Annual Respondent Hour and Cost Burden, Update Roster

Occupation	Respondents (Active Coal Mines)	Responses per Respondent	Total Responses	Burden per Response (Minutes)	Annual Burden (Hours)	Hourly Wage Rate	Burden Cost
Mining Supervisor	664	1	664	10	110.67	$73.73	$8,159.64
Office Clerk	664	1	664	5	55.33	$33.06	$1,829.56
Subtotal	664		664		166		$9,989

2. Revise and Post Plan (§72.100(b) and §72.100(e))

Since the periodic examinations required under 30 CFR 72.100(a) must be provided at least once every 5 years (30 CFR 72.100(b)), MSHA assumes that each year one-fifth of the mine operators (133 mines) will have to revise their plans to meet the 5-year requirement. The revised plans will specify the 6-month period that the examinations will be available and the NIOSH-approved facility that will provide the examinations. 30 CFR 72.100(e) also requires the operator to post the approved plan.

MSHA estimates that it takes a mining supervisor, earning $73.73 per hour, 60  minutes to revise the medical examination plan and a clerical employee, earning $33.06 per hour, 5 minutes to copy and submit the revised plan and post the plan.

Table 12-3 Estimated Annual Respondent Hour and Cost Burden, Revise Plan

Occupation	Respondents (Active Coal Mines)	Responses per Respondent	Total Responses	Burden per Response (Minutes)	Annual Burden (Hours)	Hourly Wage Rate	Burden Cost
Mining Supervisor	133	1	133	60	133.00	$73.73	$9,806.31
Office Clerk	133	1	133	5	11.08	$33.20	$366.46
Subtotal	133		133		144		$10,173

MSHA estimates that the 664 respondents (mine operators) would incur, on average, an annual collection burden of 310 hours with an associated annual cost of $20,162.

Table 12-4 Total Estimated Respondent Hour and Cost Burden

Cost Component	Respondents (Active Coal Mines)	Responses per Respondent	Total Responses	Burden per Response (minutes)	Annual Burden (Hours)	Hourly Wage Rate	Total Burden Cost
Update Roster	664	1	664	15	166.00	-	$9,989.20
Revise Plan	133	1	133	65	144.08	-	$10,172.78
Total	664		797		310	-	$20,162

13. Provide an estimate of the total annual cost burden to respondents or record keepers resulting from the collection of information. (Do not include the cost of any hour burden already reflected on the burden worksheet).

• The cost estimate should be split into two components: (a) a total capital and start-up cost component (annualized over its expected useful life); and (b) a total operation and maintenance and purchase of services component. The estimates should take into account costs associated with generating, maintaining, and disclosing or providing the information. Include descriptions of methods used to estimate major cost factors including system and technology acquisition, expected useful life of capital equipment, the discount rate(s), and the time period over which costs will be incurred. Capital and start-up costs include, among other items, preparations for collecting information such as purchasing computers and software; monitoring, sampling, drilling and testing equipment; and record storage facilities.

• If cost estimates are expected to vary widely, agencies should present ranges of cost burdens and explain the reasons for the variance. The cost of purchasing or contracting out information collection services should be a part of this cost burden estimate. In developing cost burden estimates, agencies may consult with a sample of respondents (fewer than 10), utilize the 60-day pre-OMB submission public comment process and use existing economic or regulatory impact analysis associated with the rulemaking containing the information collection, as appropriate.

• Generally, estimates should not include purchases of equipment or services, or portions thereof, made: (1) prior to October 1, 1995, (2) to achieve regulatory compliance with requirements not associated with the information collection, (3) for reasons other than to provide information or keep records for the government, or (4) as part of customary and usual business or private practices.

1. Copy Costs for Roster Updates (§72.100)

30 CFR 72.100(d) requires each coal mine operator to develop and submit to NIOSH a plan for providing miners with the required periodic examinations and a roster specifying the name and current address of miners covered by the plan. 30 CFR 72.100(e) requires operators to post the updated roster and approved plan on the mine bulletin board.

On average, MSHA estimates that a roster and plan will be 2-pages and copy costs are $0.15 per page, for a total cost per copy of $0.30. MSHA estimates that 664 responses will impose a cost of $199.

2. Copy Costs for Revised Plan (§72.100)

Since the periodic examinations required under 30 CFR 72.100(a) must be provided at least once every 5 years (30 CFR 72.100(b)), MSHA assumes that each year one-fifth of the mine operators will have to revise their plans to specify the 6-month period and the NIOSH-approved facilities that will provide the examinations and to post the approved plans.

On average, MSHA estimates that a revised roster and plan will be two pages and copy costs are $0.15 per page, for a total cost per revision of $0.30. MSHA estimates that 133 responses will impose a cost of $40.

Table 13-1 Estimated Annual Respondent Recordkeeping Cost Burden

Cost Component	No. of Responses	Cost per Copy	Burden Cost
Update Roster	664	$0.30	$199.00
Revise Plan	133	$0.30	$40.00
Total	797		$239

14. Provide estimates of annualized cost to the Federal government. Also, provide a description of the method used to estimate cost, which should include quantification of hours, operational expenses (such as equipment, overhead, printing, and support staff), and any other expense that would not have been incurred without this collection of information. Agencies also may aggregate cost estimates from Items 12, 13, and 14 in a single table.

There are no costs to MSHA, but there are costs to NIOSH for reviewing and approving plans.

15. Explain the reasons for any program changes or adjustments on the burden worksheet.

Respondents: The number of respondents decreased from 1,126 to 664 due to the decline of the number of coal mines.

Responses: The number of responses decreased from 1,352 to 797 due to the decline in the number of respondents.

Burden Hours: The number of burden hours decreased from 1,049 to 310 due to the decreases in respondents.

Costs: The estimated annual cost burden to respondents or recordkeepers decreased from $406 to $239 due to the decrease in respondents.

	Previous	Current	Difference
Respondents	1,126	664	462
Responses	1,352	797	555
Burden Hours	1,049	310	739
Respondents or Recordkeeping Cost	$406	$239	$167

16. For collections of information whose results will be published, outline plans for tabulation, and publication. Address any complex analytical techniques that will be used. Provide the time schedule for the entire project, including beginning and ending dates of the collection of information, completion of report, publication dates, and other actions.

Information provided by mine operators in their plans for periodic medical surveillance examinations and rosters of names and current addresses of miners covered by the plans is not collected for the purpose of publication.

17. If seeking approval to not display the expiration date for OMB approval of the information collection, explain the reasons that display would be inappropriate.

MSHA associates no forms with this information collection.

18. Explain each exception to the topics of the certification statement identified in “Certification for Paperwork Reduction Act Submissions.”

There are no exceptions to the certification statement on the topics of the certification statement identified in “Certification for Paperwork Reduction Act Submissions.”

B. COLLECTIONS OF INFORMATION EMPLOYING STATISTICAL METHODS

There is no statistical methodology involved in this collection.

1 For all wage rates, MSHA uses the relevant precision throughout the calculation to avoid compound rounding errors and rounds at the final rate value. Displayed intermediate calculation values are presented to explain the calculation and are representative but the final rate value reflects the correct rounding and final estimate.

2 Options for obtaining OEWS data are available at item “E3. How to get OEWS data. What are the different ways to obtain OEWS estimates from this website?” at https://www.bls.gov/oes/oes_ques.htm.

3 The benefit multiplier comes from BLS Employer Costs for Employee Compensation accessed by menu at http://data.bls.gov/cgi-bin/srgate or directly with http://download.bls.gov/pub/time.series/cm/cm.data.0.Current. Insert the data series CMU2030000405000D and CMU2030000405000P, Private Industry Total benefits for Construction, extraction, farming, fishing, and forestry occupations, which is divided by 100 to convert to a decimal value. MSHA used the latest 4-quarter moving average to determine what percent of total loaded wages are benefits. MSHA computes the benefit multiplier with a number of detailed calculations, but it may be approximated with the formula 1 + (benefit percentage/(1-benefit percentage)).

4 Wage inflation is the change in Series ID: CIS2020000405000I; Seasonally adjusted; Series Title: Wages and salaries for Private industry workers in Construction, extraction, farming, fishing, and forestry occupations, Index. (https://data.bls.gov/cgi-bin/srgate; Inflation Multiplier = (Current Quarter Cost Index Value / OEWS Wage Base Quarter Index Value).

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