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US FR on Miners and Radon Daughters Exposure Records Requirements
Radsafers,
An interesting US Federal Register entry on radon not
directly from the EPA! (see below)
S.,
MikeG.
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Federal Register: July 30, 1998 (Volume 63, Number 146).
Section: Notices
Agency: MINE SAFETY AND HEALTH ADMINISTRATION
Title: Proposed Information Collection Request Submitted
for Public Comment and Recommendations; Record of
Individual Exposure to Radon Daughters
Action: Notice.
Page: 40744-40745
MINE SAFETY AND HEALTH ADMINISTRATION
DEPARTMENT OF LABOR
Proposed Information Collection Request Submitted for
Public Comment and Recommendations; Record of Individual
Exposure to Radon Daughters
ACTION: Notice.
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 the
Record of Individual Exposure to Radon Daughters. 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 of the
information to be collected; and
. Minimize the burden on 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 28, 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 psilvey@msha.gov, 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: Mrs. Theresa O'Malley,
Program Analysis Office, 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 tomalley@msha.gov (Internet
E-mail), (703) 235-1470 (voice), or (703) 235-1563
(facsimile).
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
I. Background
MSHA's primary goal is the protection of America's most
precious resource, the miner. To achieve this goal, this
agency has to keep information regarding the hazards faced
and the progress made within the industry to develop and
maintain a safe and healthy work environment. Records
concerning the health and welfare of miners are especially
important, given that the nature of the exposure could
result in medical complications later in the miner's life.
To this end, the record keeping of Radon Daughters is
essential information. Each year the industry records and
reports the exposure levels that its workforce has faced
during the past 12 months. This information is archived
and stored for retrieval by the exposed party, or legal
representative, should a medical release be deemed
necessary. This reporting of the exposure numbers also
serves to inform MSHA of the industry expansion or decrease
as well as health threats incurred.
During the past calendar year MSHA has received an
increased number of industry responses. These responses
indicated that an increasing number of miners are being
employed and exposed within this industry grouping.
Concurrently, the United States economy is calling for
production rates that are higher than those in recent
years. The increase in production has resulted in a
larger number of employees being exposed to Radon
Daughters. MSHA needs to keep the recording requirements
for Radon Daughters to ensure that the records regarding
the miners' level of exposure today is available to them
tomorrow and throughout their lifetimes.
II. Current Actions
This information collection needs to be extended to
provide miners protection from radon daughter exposure.
Type of Review: Extension.
Agency: Mine Safety and Health Administration.
Title: Record of Individual Exposure to Radon
Daughters.
OMB Number: 1219-0003.
Agency Number: MSHA 4000-9.
Recordkeeping: 2 years.
Affected Public: Business or other for-profit.
...[Table not included here]
Total Burden Cost (capital/startup): None.
Total Burden Cost (operating/maintaining): $182,500.
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 24, 1998.
George M. Fesak,
Director, Program Evaluation and Information Resources.
[FR Doc. 98-20379 Filed 7-29-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4510-43-M
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