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.
$35,180
No
No
No
No
No
No
No
Joanna Moore 202 693-9825
moore.joanna@dol.gov
No
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)