Under Section 101(a) of the Federal Mine Safety and Health Act of 1977 (Mine Act), and Title 5, United States Code, Section 553, the Secretary of Labor shall 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.
Diesel particulate matter (DPM) is a probable carcinogen that consists of tiny particles present in diesel engine exhaust that can readily penetrate into the deepest recesses of the lungs. Despite ventilation, the confined underground mine work environment may contribute to significant concentrations of particles produced by equipment used in the mine. Underground miners are exposed to higher concentrations of DPM than any other occupational group. As a result, they face a significantly greater risk than other workers of developing such diseases as lung cancer, heart failure, serious allergic responses and other cardiopulmonary problems. The DPM rule establishes a permissible exposure limit (PEL) to total carbon, which is a surrogate for measuring a miner's exposure to DPM. The rule includes a number of other requirements for the protection of miners' health. The DPM existing rule contains information collection requirements for underground MNM mine operators under regulations 30 C.F.R. §§ 57.5060, 57.5065, 57.5066, 57.5070, 57.5071, and 57.5075.
US Code:
30 USC 813(h)
Name of Law: Federal Mine Safety and Health Act of 1977
US Code:
30 USC 811
Name of Law: Federal Mine Safety and Health Act of 1977
The increase in the number of miner respondents caused the number of hours to increase. Costs were slightly increased also due to the increase in cost to purchase and maintain respirators and for replacement respirators for the newly affected miners and newly hired employees.
Respondents increased from 194 to 195.
Responses increased from 41,692 to 54,175.
Hours increased from 8,928 to 9,661.
Costs from increased from $416,639 to $431,508.
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.
1219-0135 60 DAY FRN 2018.pdf
1219-0135 Sup Statement 10-2018.docx
Health Standards for Diesel Particulates (Underground Metal and Nonmetal Mines)