Respirable Crystalline Silica Standard

Forms and Documents

Forms and supporting documents for this ICR

Document	Type	Status	Availability
1219-0156 Silica Standards.docx	Supporting Statement A	Uploaded 2026-11-12	Available

IC Document Collections

Information collection document groups

IC ID	Collection	Type	Status	Form
257840	Respirable Crystalline Silica Standard		Modified

ICR Details

OMB Control No: 1219-0156	ICR Reference No: 202611-1219-001
Status: Received in OIRA	Previous ICR Reference No: 202310-1219-001
Agency/Subagency: DOL/MSHA	Agency Tracking No: NPRM 1219-0156
Title: Respirable Crystalline Silica Standard
Type of Information Collection: Revision of a currently approved collection	Common Form ICR:  No
Type of Review Request: Regular	Date Submitted to OIRA: 11/12/2026

table that charts list comparision

	Requested	Previously Approved
Expiration Date	36 Months From Approved	05/31/2027
Responses	246,496	265,509
Time Burden (Hours)	59,674	63,972
Cost Burden (Dollars)	416,535	775,683

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Abstract: MSHA proposes to lower the existing exposure limit (PEL) for respirable crystalline silica from 100 µg/m3 to 50 µg/m3 at mining operations due to the serious health hazard such exposure presents to miners. Exposure at the existing PEL is known to cause silicosis, an irreversible but preventable lung disease; non-malignant respiratory disease (other than silicosis); lung cancer; and renal and autoimmune effects in susceptible individuals. The proposed rule, once implemented, would significantly enhance health protection for metal and nonmetal miners as well as coal miners. MSHA’s proposed respirable silica rule includes provision for lowering the respirable crystalline silica permissible exposure limit; MSHA’s longstanding practice that the hierarchy of controls be used at metal and nonmetal as well as coal mines to lower exposures; prohibiting rotation of miners for compliance with this rule; a written respiratory protection program; medical evaluation and transfer rights for metal and nonmetal as well as coal miners who are medically unable to wear required respiratory protection under this standard; exposure assessment and monitoring, including rights of miners or their representatives to observe monitoring and have access to records; medical evaluation of miners’ health; and recordkeeping. Proposed paperwork requirements would be contained in a written respiratory protection program, involve medical records, copying and posting of sampling results, and the creation and maintenance of records.

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Authorizing Statute(s): PL: Pub.L. 95 - 164 103(h) Name of Law: Federal Mine Safety and Health Act of 1977
   PL: Pub.L. 95 - 164 101(a) Name of Law: Federal Mine Safety and Health Act of 1977
  

Citations for New Statutory Requirements: None

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Associated Rulemaking Information
RIN:	Stage of Rulemaking:	Federal Register Citation:	Date:
1219-AC22	Proposed rulemaking	91 FR 73062	11/12/2026

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Federal Register Notices & Comments

Did the Agency receive public comments on this ICR? No

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Number of Information Collection (IC) in this ICR: 1

table that charts list of burden

IC Title	Form No.	Form Name
Respirable Crystalline Silica Standard

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ICR Summary of Burden

table that charts list 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	246,496	265,509	0	0	-19,013	0
Annual Time Burden (Hours)	59,674	63,972	0	0	-4,298	0
Annual Cost Burden (Dollars)	416,535	775,683	0	0	-359,148	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 NPRM changes values as below. Number of Respondents: The estimated number of respondents decreases from 47,596 to 12,631 due to the changes in the proposed rule. Number of Responses: The estimated number of responses decreased from 265,509 to 246,496 due to the changes in the proposed rule. Annual Time Burden: The estimated annual time burden decreased from 63,972 hours to 59,674 hours due to the changes in the proposed rule. Annual Recordkeeping Costs: The estimated annual recordkeeping costs decreased from $775,683 to $416,535 due to the changes in the proposed rule.

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Annual Cost to Federal Government: $0

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: 11/12/2026

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