Health Standards for Diesel Particulate Matter Exposure (Underground Metal and Nonmetal Mines)
Extension without change of a currently approved collection
No
Regular
05/06/2025
Requested
Previously Approved
36 Months From Approved
05/31/2025
49,010
54,696
5,048
11,218
80,054
421,942
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 811(a)
Name of Law: Federal Mine Safety and Health Act of 1977
US Code:
30 USC 813(h)
Name of Law: Federal Mine Safety and Health Act of 1977
Number of Respondents: The estimated number of respondents remained unchanged at 194.
Number of Responses: The estimated number of responses decreased from 54,696 to 49,010 due to an updated methodology to eliminate non-paperwork activities including verbal briefings and sampling.
Annual Time Burden: The estimated annual time burden decreased from 11,218 to 5,048 due to an updated methodology to eliminate non-paperwork activities including verbal briefings and sampling.
Annual Burden Costs: The estimated annual burden costs decreased from $480,349 to $217,704 due to an updated methodology to eliminate non-paperwork activities including verbal briefings and sampling.
Annual Other Burden Costs: The estimated annual other burden cost decreased from $421,942 to $80,054 due to an updated methodology to eliminate costs of purchasing respirators and sampling.
Federal Hours: The estimated annual federal hours decreased from 2,405 to 273 hours due to an updated methodology to remove burden hours of sampling and analysis.
Federal Costs: The estimated annual federal costs decreased from $228,860 to $35,180 due to an updated methodology to remove costs of sampling and analysis.
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 Supporting Statement 2025.docx
1219-0135 60-day FRN Published 10-23-2024.pdf
Health Standards for Diesel Particulates (Underground Metal and Nonmetal Mines)