[Federal Register Volume 77, Number 198 (Friday, October 12, 2012)]
[Notices]
[Pages 62267-62268]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2012-25076]
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DEPARTMENT OF LABOR
Mine Safety and Health Administration
[OMB Control No. 1219-0039]
Proposed Extension of Existing Information Collection; Gamma
Radiation Surveys
AGENCY: Mine Safety and Health Administration, Labor.
ACTION: Request for public comments.
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SUMMARY: The Department of Labor, as part of its continuing effort to
reduce paperwork and respondent burden, conducts a pre-clearance
consultation program to provide the general public and Federal agencies
with an opportunity to comment on proposed and continuing collections
of information in accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995.
This program helps to assure that requested data can be provided in the
desired format, reporting burden (time and financial resources) is
minimized, collection instruments are clearly understood, and the
impact of collection requirements on respondents can be properly
assessed. Currently, the Mine Safety and Health Administration is
soliciting comments concerning the extension of the information
collection for 30 CFR 57.5047. OMB last approved this information
collection request (ICR) on February 1, 2010.
DATES: All comments must be postmarked or received by midnight Eastern
Standard Time on December 11, 2012.
ADDRESSES: Comments concerning the information collection requirements
of this notice must be clearly identified with ``OMB 1219-0039'' and
sent to the Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA). Comments may
be sent by any of the methods listed below.
Federal E-Rulemaking Portal: http://www.regulations.gov.
Follow the on-line instructions for submitting comments.
Facsimile: 202-693-9441, include ``OMB 1219-0039'' in the
subject line of the message.
Regular Mail or Hand Delivery: MSHA, Office of Standards,
Regulations, and Variances, 1100 Wilson Boulevard, Room 2350,
Arlington, VA 22209-3939. For hand delivery, sign in at the
receptionist's desk on the 21st floor.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Greg Moxness, Chief, Economic Analysis
Division, Office of Standards, Regulations, and Variances, MSHA, at
[email protected] (email); 202-693-9440 (voice); or 202-693-9441
(facsimile).
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
I. Background
Gamma radiation occurs where radioactive materials are present. It
has been associated with lung cancer and other debilitating
occupational diseases. Natural sources include rocks, soils, and ground
water. Gamma radiation hazards may be found near radiation sources at
surface operations using X-ray machines, weightometers, nuclear and
diffraction units. Nuclear gauges mounted outside tanks, pipes, bins,
hoppers or other types of vessels; gamma rays are used to sense the
level and density of liquids, slurries or solids.
Gamma rays penetrate the body and can kill or damage cells in their
path which can affect many of the body's organs. The adverse health
effects from exposure to gamma radiation can vary depending upon the
type of cell affected and the extent of damage.
Under Section 103(c) of the Federal Mine Safety and Health Act of
1977 (Mine Act), the Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) is
required to ``* * * issue regulations requiring operators to maintain
accurate records of employee exposures to potentially toxic materials
or harmful physical agents which are required to be monitored or
measured under any applicable mandatory health or safety standard
promulgated under this Act.'' In addition, 30 CFR 57.5047(a) requires
that gamma radiation surveys be conducted annually in all underground
mines where radioactive ores are mined. 30 CFR 57.5047(c) requires that
gamma radiation dosimeters be provided for all persons exposed to
average gamma radiation measurements in excess of 2.0 milliroentgens
per hour in the working place. This paragraph also requires the
operator keep records of cumulative individual gamma radiation
exposures.
II. Desired Focus of Comments
The Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) is soliciting
comments concerning the proposed extension of the information
collection related to Gamma Radiation Surveys. MSHA is particularly
interested in comments that:
Evaluate whether the collection of information is
necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the agency,
including whether the information has practical utility;
Evaluate the accuracy of the MSHA's estimate of the burden
of the collection of information, including the validity of the
methodology and assumptions used;
Suggest methods to enhance the quality, utility, and
clarity of the information to be collected; and
Address the use of appropriate automated, electronic,
mechanical, or other technological collection techniques or other forms
of information technology (e.g., permitting electronic submissions of
responses), to minimize the burden of the collection of information on
those who are to respond.
The public may examine publicly available documents, including the
public comment version of the supporting statement, at MSHA, Office of
Standards, Regulations, and
[[Page 62268]]
Variances, 1100 Wilson Boulevard, Room 2350, Arlington, VA 22209-3939.
OMB clearance requests are available on MSHA's Web site at http://www.msha.gov under ``Rules & Regs'' on the right side of the screen by
selecting Information Collections Requests, Paperwork Reduction Act
Supporting Statements. The document will be available on MSHA's Web
site for 60 days after the publication date of this notice. Comments
submitted in writing or in electronic form will be made available for
public inspection. Because comments will not be edited to remove any
identifying or contact information, MSHA cautions the commenter against
including any information in the submission that should not be publicly
disclosed. Questions about the information collection requirements may
be directed to the person listed in the FOR FURTHER INFORMATION section
of this notice.
III. Current Actions
The information obtained from mine operators is used by MSHA during
inspections to determine compliance with this health standard. MSHA has
updated the data in respect to the number of respondents and responses,
as well as the total burden hours and burden costs supporting this
information collection extension request.
MSHA does not intend to publish the results from this information
collection and is not seeking approval to either display or not display
the expiration date for the OMB approval of this information
collection.
There are no certification exceptions identified with this
information collection and the collection of this information does not
employ statistical methods.
Summary
Type of Review: Extension.
Agency: Mine Safety and Health Administration.
Title: Gamma Radiation Surveys.
OMB Number: 1219-0039.
Affected Public: Business or other for-profit.
Cite/Reference/Form/etc: 30 CFR 57.5047(a) and (c).
Total Number of Respondents: 4.
Frequency: 1.
Total Number of Responses: 4.
Total Burden Hours: 8 hours.
Total Other Annual Cost Burden: $0.
Comments submitted in response to this notice will be summarized
and included in the request for Office of Management and Budget
approval of the information collection request; they will also become a
matter of public record.
Authority: 44 U.S.C. 3506(c)(2)(A).
Dated: October 5, 2012.
George F. Triebsch,
Certifying Officer.
[FR Doc. 2012-25076 Filed 10-11-12; 8:45 am]
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