Agency Forms Undergoing Paperwork Reduction Act Review

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has submitted the following information collection request to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for review and approval in accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995. The notice for the proposed information collection is published to obtain comments from the public and affected agencies.

Written comments and suggestions from the public and affected agencies concerning the proposed collection of information are encouraged. Your comments should address any of the following: (a) 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; (b) Evaluate the accuracy of the agencies estimate of the burden of the proposed collection of information, including the validity of the methodology and assumptions used; (c) Enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected; (d) 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 submission of responses; and (e) Assess information collection costs.

To request additional information on the proposed project or to obtain a copy of the information collection plan and instruments, call (404) 639-7570 or send an email to omb@cdc.gov. Written comments and/or suggestions regarding the items contained in this notice should be directed to the Attention: CDC Desk Officer, Office of Management and Budget, Washington, DC 20503 or by fax to (202) 395-5806. Written comments should be received within 30 days of this notice.

Proposed Project

Mining Industry Surveillance System—New—National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Background and Brief Description

The mission of the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) is to promote safety and health at work for all people through research and prevention. The Federal Mine Safety and Health Act of 1977, Section 501, enables NIOSH to carry out research relevant to the health and safety of workers in the mining industry. Surveillance of occupational injuries, illnesses, and exposures has been an integral part of the work of NIOSH since its creation by the Occupational Safety and Health Act in 1970. Surveillance activities at the Office of Mine Safety and Health Research (OMSHR), a division of NIOSH, are focused on the nation's mining workforce.

OMSHR is planning to develop the Mining Industry Surveillance System, a unique source of longitudinal information on U.S. mines and their employees. Its purpose will be to: (1) Track changes and emerging trends over time; (2) provide current data to guide research and training activities; (3) provide updated demographic and occupational data for the mining workforce; and (4) provide denominator data to help understand the risk of work-related injuries, disease, and fatalities in specific demographic and occupational subgroups.

The goal of the proposed project is to improve its surveillance capability related to the occupational risks in mining. NIOSH is requesting a three-year approval for this data collection.

NIOSH is planning to use the Mining Industry and Workforce Survey (MIWS) to collect data for the Mining Industry Surveillance System. Data will be collected through surveys conducted on a rotating basis in mining sectors aligned with national mining association. In Phase 1 of the project, the MIWS will be conducted in the stone/sand and gravel mining sector in year 1, the metal/nonmetal mining sector in year 2, and the coal mining sector in year 3. Data from this survey will provide denominator data so that accident, injury, and illness reports can be evaluated in relation to the population at risk. Additionally, NIOSH cannot separately determine the number of contractor employees working in metal, nonmetal, stone, or sand and gravel mines. The survey will collect mine-level data on contractor employees to allow NIOSH to determine the quantity of contract labor that mine operators use and the type of work these employees perform. NIOSH will also use the MIWS to collect mine-level data that will provide a valuable picture of the current working environment (work schedules and shift work practices) used in the U.S. mining industry.

Estimated Annualized Burden Hours

The burden estimates were derived in the following manner. Based on the stratification and sample size allocation plan developed for this project 34% of all sampled mines have fewer than 10 employees. Mines with 10 or fewer employees will not have to do any sampling as they will be asked to provide data for all of their employees. Small mines will require up to 45 minutes to complete the survey. Mines with 11 or more employees will need up to 1.5 hours given their need to generate an employee roster and sample 10 of their employees. Thus, NIOSH is estimating that the average annual burden to complete the survey will be 1 hour. Non-responding mines will be asked to complete the Nonresponse Survey which consists of only seven questions. NIOSH estimates that the burden for this brief survey will be 10 minutes or less. The burden data are calculated based on a 60% response rate for the sampled mines. This does not take into account that some sampled mines may not be eligible to participate in the survey (e.g., inactive, temporarily closed). The total estimated annualized burden hours are 491.

There is no cost to the respondents other than their time.