Proposed Information Collection Request Submitted for Public Comment and Recommendations; Respirator Program Records

DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Mine Safety and Health Administration

Proposed Information Collection Request Submitted for Public

Comment and Recommendations; Respirator Program Records

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: The Department of Labor, as part of its continuing effort to

reduce paperwork and respondent burden conducts a preclearance

consultation program to provide the general public and Federal agencies

with an opportunity to comment on proposed and/or continuing

collections of information in accordance with the Paperwork Reduction

Act of 1995 (PRA95) [44 U.S.C. 3506(c)(2)(A)]. This program helps to

ensure 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 (MSHA) is

soliciting comments concerning the proposed extension of the

information collection related to respirator program records. MSHA is

particularly interested in comments which:

Evaluate whether the proposed collection of information is

necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the agency,

including whether the information will have practical utility;

Evaluate the accuracy of the agency's estimate of the

burden of the proposed collection of information, including the

validity of the methodology and assumptions used;

Enhance the quality, utility, and clarity in the

information to be collected; and

Minimize the burden of the collection of information on

those who are to respond, including through 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.

A copy of the proposed information collection request can be

obtained by contacting the employee listed below in the For Further

Information Contact section of this notice.

DATES: Submit comments on or before September 21, 1998.

ADDRESSES: Send comments to Patricia W. Silvey, Director, Office of

Standards, Regulations, and Variances, 4015 Wilson Boulevard, Room 627,

Arlington, VA 22203-1984. Commenters are encouraged to send their

comments on a computer disk, or via E-mail to [email protected], along

with an original printed copy. Ms. Silvey can be reached at (703) 235-

1910 (voice) or (703) 235-5551 (facsimile).

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Theresa O'Malley, Program Analysis

Office, Office of Program Evaluation and Information Resources, U.S.

Department of Labor, Mine Safety and Health Administration, Room 715,

4015 Wilson Boulevard, Arlington, VA 22203-1984. Mrs. O'Malley can be

reached at [email protected] (Internet E-mail), (703) 235-1370 (voice),

or (703) 235-1563 (facsimile).

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Background

Section 101(a)(7) of the Mine Act mandates in part that mandatory

standards prescribe the use of protective equipment where appropriate

to protect miners against hazards. Where protective equipment or

respirators are required because of exposure to harmful substances,

MSHA must ensure that such equipment offers adequate protection for

workers. A written respirator program that addresses such issues as

selection, fitting, use, and maintenance of respirators is essential

[[Page 39112]]

for ensuring that workers are properly and effectively using the

equipment. Records of fit-testing and essential for determining that

the worker is wearing the proper respirator.

Title 30 CFR Sections 56.5005 and 57.5005 require metal and

nonmetal mine operators to institute a respirator program governing

selection, maintenance, training, fitting, supervision, cleaning and

use of respirators. To control those occupational diseases caused by

breathing air contaminated with harmful dusts, fumes, mists, gases, or

vapors, the primary objective is to prevent atmospheric contamination.

MSHA's current policy, as prescribed by regulation, is to require that

this be accomplished by feasible engineering and administrative control

measures. When effective controls are not feasible, or while they are

being instituted, or during occasional entry into hazardous atmospheres

to perform maintenance or investigations, appropriate respirators are

to be used in accordance with established procedures protecting the

miners.

Sections 56.5005 and 57.5005 incorporate by reference requirements

of the American National Standards Institute (ANSI Z88.2-1969). These

incorporated requirements mandate that miners who must wear respirators

be fit-tested to the respirators that they will use. Certain records

are also required to be kept in connection with respirators, including

records of the date of issuance of the respirator, and fit-test

results. The fit-testing records are essential for determining that the

worker is wearing the proper respirator.

II. Current Actions

The mine operator uses the information to properly issue

respiratory protection to miners when feasible engineering and/or

administrative controls do not reduce the exposure to permissible

levels. Fit-testing records are used to ensure that a respirator worn

by an individual is in fact the one for which that individual received

a tight fit. MSHA uses the information to determine compliance with the

standard.

Type of Review: Extension.

Agency: Mine Safety and Health Administration.

Title: Respirator Program Records.

OMB Number: 1219-0048.

Agency Number: MSHA 404.

Record keeping: None.

Affected Public: Business or other for-profit.

Cite/Reference/Form/etc: 30 CFR Sections 56.5005 and 57.5005.

Total Respondents: 600.

Frequency: As required.

Total Responses: 15,900.

Average Time per Response: 5 hours and 20 minutes.

Estimated Total Burden Hours: 3,973 hours.

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Average time

Cite/Reference Total Frequency Total per response Burden

respondents (per year) responses (hours) (hours)

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Program Requirements............ 600 12 7,200 5.000 3,000

Fit Test........................ 1,500 1 1,500 .250 375

ANSI Recordkeeping.............. 600 12 7,200 .083 598

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Totals.................... 2,700 .............. 15,900 5.353 3,973

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Total Burden Cost (capital/startup): None.

Total Burden Cost (operating/maintaining): $131,666.

Comments submitted in response to this notice will be summarized

and/or 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.

Dated: July 15, 1998.

George M. Fesak,

Director, Program Evaluation and Information Resources.

[FR Doc. 98-19353 Filed 7-20-98; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 4510-43-M