Noise is a harmful physical agent and one of the most pervasive health hazards in mining. Repeated exposure to high levels of sound over time causes occupational noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL), a serious, often profound physical impairment in mining, with far-reaching psychological and social effects. NIHL can be distinguished from aging and other factors that can contribute to hearing loss and it can be prevented. According to the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), NIHL is among the "top ten" leading occupational illnesses and injuries.
For many years, NIHL was regarded as an inevitable consequence of working in a mine. Mining, an intensely mechanized industry, relies on drills, crushers, compressors, conveyors, trucks, loaders, and other heavy-duty equipment for the excavation, haulage, and processing of material. This equipment creates high sound levels, exposing machine operators as well as miners working nearby. MSHA, OSHA, the military, and other organizations around the world have established and enforced standards to reduce the loss of hearing. Quieter equipment, isolation of workers from noise sources, and limiting the time workers are exposed to noise are among the many well-accepted methods that will prevent the costly incidence of NIHL.
Records of miner exposures to noise are necessary so that mine operators and MSHA can evaluate the need for and effectiveness of engineering controls, administrative controls, and personal protective equipment to protect miners from harmful levels of noise that can result in hearing loss. However, the Agency believes that extensive records for this purpose are not needed. These requirements are a performance-oriented approach to monitoring. Records of miner hearing examinations enable mine operators and MSHA to ensure that the controls are effective in preventing NIHL for individual miners. Records of training are needed to confirm that miners receive the information they need to become active participants in hearing conservation efforts.
Due to an decrease in the number of mines and subsequently the number of miners, there is an decrease in the number of respondents. However, the decrease in the number of responses and, therefore, hours and cost burden, reflects an updated estimate in the number of instances that trigger the requirements of MSHA's relevant noise assessment standard as well as the removal of burden estimates for the following provisions: 62.110(a), 62.110(c), 62.172(a)(3), 62.174(a), 62.175(a)(1), 62.175(a)(2), 62.180 and 62.190(c). The burdens for these provisions have been removed because they did not constitute an actual paperwork burden and had been unnecessarily included in previous ICRs under this Control Number. Only those provisions that create an actual paperwork burden remain.
Respondents: Decrease of 1,481 (from 14,726 to 13,245)
Responses: Decrease of 557,120 (from 764,753 to 207,633)
Hours: Decrease of 69,857 (from 84,146 to 14,289)
Costs: Decrease of $5,437,722 (from $5,472,049 to $34,327)
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.
1219-0120 final_SS 6-16-2012.doc
1219-0120.pdf
Occupational Noise Exposure