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    <RIN_INFO>
        <RIN>1219-AA53</RIN>
        <PUBLICATION>
            <PUBLICATION_ID>199904</PUBLICATION_ID>
            <PUBLICATION_TITLE>Unified Agenda of Federal Regulatory and Deregulatory Actions</PUBLICATION_TITLE>
        </PUBLICATION>
        <AGENCY>
            <CODE>1219</CODE>
            <NAME>Mine Safety and Health Administration</NAME>
            <ACRONYM>MSHA</ACRONYM>
        </AGENCY>
        <PARENT_AGENCY>
            <CODE>1200</CODE>
            <NAME>Department of Labor</NAME>
            <ACRONYM>DOL</ACRONYM>
        </PARENT_AGENCY>
        <RULE_TITLE>Noise Standard</RULE_TITLE>
        <ABSTRACT><![CDATA[Notwithstanding MSHA's firm enforcement of its current noise regulations, miners are continuing to incur hearing impairment. Data indicate that hearing impairment can be reduced significantly, however, if effective protective action is used both to reduce or eliminate the noise and to minimize exposure to the noise. MSHA has published a proposed rule applicable to all types of mining which would require that protective measures be taken where exposure to noise is at a level lower than that which is currently permitted. The final rule would address, for example, a hearing conservation plan and an "action level." 

Consistent with the Mine Act and in response to comments, the final rule would include a new provision providing affected miners and their representatives with an opportunity to observe required operator monitoring.]]></ABSTRACT>
        <PRIORITY_CATEGORY>Other Significant</PRIORITY_CATEGORY>
        <RIN_STATUS>Previously Published in The Unified Agenda</RIN_STATUS>
        <RULE_STAGE>Final Rule Stage</RULE_STAGE>
        <MAJOR>No</MAJOR>
        <UNFUNDED_MANDATE_LIST>
            <UNFUNDED_MANDATE>No</UNFUNDED_MANDATE>
        </UNFUNDED_MANDATE_LIST>
        <CFR_LIST>
            <CFR>30 CFR 56</CFR>
            <CFR>30 CFR 57</CFR>
            <CFR>30 CFR 62</CFR>
            <CFR>30 CFR 70</CFR>
            <CFR>30 CFR 71</CFR>
        </CFR_LIST>
        <LEGAL_AUTHORITY_LIST>
            <LEGAL_AUTHORITY>30 USC 811</LEGAL_AUTHORITY>
            <LEGAL_AUTHORITY>30 USC 813</LEGAL_AUTHORITY>
        </LEGAL_AUTHORITY_LIST>
        <RPLAN_ENTRY>Yes</RPLAN_ENTRY>
        <RPLAN_INFO>
            <STMT_OF_NEED><![CDATA[MSHA's existing standards, in spite of enforcement efforts, do not provide adequate protection against exposure to hazardous occupational noise levels. Several factors have shown that there is a need to replace the existing standards so that miners are adequately protected. One factor is that miners are continuing to incur occupational, noise-induced hearing loss. Another factor is that existing MSHA standards no longer reflect the opinions of experts or the current scientific evidence. In addition, MSHA's current noise standards for coal mines differ from those for metal and nonmetal mines. MSHA's final rule will provide consistent requirements for all mines. 

Section 103(c) of the Mine Act requires, among other things that when the Secretary issues regulations requiring operator monitoring, such regulations "shall provide the miners' or their representatives with an opportunity to observe such monitoring or measuring, and to have access to the records thereof." The final rule would implement section 103(c) of the Mine Act.]]></STMT_OF_NEED>
            <LEGAL_BASIS><![CDATA[Section 101(a) of the Mine Act requires that MSHA's promulgation of health standards adequately assure, on the basis of the best available evidence, that no miner will suffer material impairment of health or functional capacity over the miner's working lifetime. In addition to the attainment of the highest degree of health and safety protection for the miner, the Mine Act requires that factors, such as the latest scientific data in the field, the feasibility of the standard, and the experience gained under the Mine Act and other health and safety laws, be considered when promulgating mandatory standards pertaining to toxic materials or harmful physical agents.]]></LEGAL_BASIS>
            <ALTERNATIVES><![CDATA[MSHA published a proposed rule which requested comments and data on a number of regulatory alternatives. In addition, MSHA held six public hearings providing the public an opportunity to comment on the noise proposal and submit data. Based upon its own research and experience, and data and information submitted to the record, MSHA is considering the respective roles of engineering controls and administrative controls and the use of personal hearing protection in controlling noise exposure; lowering the permissible exposure level and implementing a new action level; the lowering of the exchange rate; and the parameters and criteria for audiometric testing, exposure monitoring, and miner training. The proposed rule reflected the Agency's tentative decisions on these alternatives, mindful of their economic impact on small mines. The final rule will derive from MSHA's deliberations and decisions on the issues and alternatives.]]></ALTERNATIVES>
            <COSTS_AND_BENEFITS><![CDATA[MSHA prepared an analysis of benefits which compared the numbers of miners projected to incur a material impairment of hearing under the existing standards and under the proposal. At this stage in the development of the final rule, MSHA anticipates that the rule would prevent about 709 incidents of occupationally related material impairments of hearing per year. MSHA anticipates that the incremental annual cost of the final rule would be about $8.7 million. Since the final rule is still under development, these estimates are preliminary.]]></COSTS_AND_BENEFITS>
            <RISKS><![CDATA[Noise is a serious occupational hazard in the mining industry. Occupational exposure to loud noises results in hearing loss and hearing impairment, which affect both quality of life and functional capacity. In addition, cases of hearing loss reported to MSHA indicate that a significant number of these miners received all of their noise exposure under existing standards. The Agency believes that the health evidence forms a reasonable basis for revising MSHA's existing noise standards.]]></RISKS>
        </RPLAN_INFO>
        <TIMETABLE_LIST>
            <TIMETABLE>
                <TTBL_ACTION>ANPRM</TTBL_ACTION>
                <TTBL_DATE>12/04/1989</TTBL_DATE>
                <FR_CITATION>54 FR 50209</FR_CITATION>
            </TIMETABLE>
            <TIMETABLE>
                <TTBL_ACTION>ANPRM Comment Period End</TTBL_ACTION>
                <TTBL_DATE>06/22/1990</TTBL_DATE>
                <FR_CITATION>55 FR 6011</FR_CITATION>
            </TIMETABLE>
            <TIMETABLE>
                <TTBL_ACTION>NPRM</TTBL_ACTION>
                <TTBL_DATE>12/17/1996</TTBL_DATE>
                <FR_CITATION>61 FR 66348</FR_CITATION>
            </TIMETABLE>
            <TIMETABLE>
                <TTBL_ACTION>Extension of Comment Period to 4/21/97; Notice of Public Hearings</TTBL_ACTION>
                <TTBL_DATE>02/06/1997</TTBL_DATE>
                <FR_CITATION>62 FR 5554</FR_CITATION>
            </TIMETABLE>
            <TIMETABLE>
                <TTBL_ACTION>Hearings - Date Change Extension of Comment Period to 6/20/97</TTBL_ACTION>
                <TTBL_DATE>03/03/1997</TTBL_DATE>
                <FR_CITATION>62 FR 9404</FR_CITATION>
            </TIMETABLE>
            <TIMETABLE>
                <TTBL_ACTION>Extension of Comment Period to 8/1/97</TTBL_ACTION>
                <TTBL_DATE>06/13/1997</TTBL_DATE>
                <FR_CITATION>62 FR 32252</FR_CITATION>
            </TIMETABLE>
            <TIMETABLE>
                <TTBL_ACTION>NPRM Comment Period End</TTBL_ACTION>
                <TTBL_DATE>08/01/1997</TTBL_DATE>
                <FR_CITATION>62 FR 32252</FR_CITATION>
            </TIMETABLE>
            <TIMETABLE>
                <TTBL_ACTION>Availability of Report</TTBL_ACTION>
                <TTBL_DATE>12/16/1997</TTBL_DATE>
                <FR_CITATION>62 FR 65777</FR_CITATION>
            </TIMETABLE>
            <TIMETABLE>
                <TTBL_ACTION>Request for Comments Availability</TTBL_ACTION>
                <TTBL_DATE>12/23/1997</TTBL_DATE>
                <FR_CITATION>62 FR 67013</FR_CITATION>
            </TIMETABLE>
            <TIMETABLE>
                <TTBL_ACTION>Extension of Comment Period</TTBL_ACTION>
                <TTBL_DATE>01/16/1998</TTBL_DATE>
                <FR_CITATION>63 FR 2642</FR_CITATION>
            </TIMETABLE>
            <TIMETABLE>
                <TTBL_ACTION>National Environmental Policy Act</TTBL_ACTION>
                <TTBL_DATE>05/26/1998</TTBL_DATE>
                <FR_CITATION>63 FR 28496</FR_CITATION>
            </TIMETABLE>
            <TIMETABLE>
                <TTBL_ACTION>Final Action</TTBL_ACTION>
                <TTBL_DATE>07/00/1999</TTBL_DATE>
            </TIMETABLE>
        </TIMETABLE_LIST>
        <ADDITIONAL_INFO>On December 31, 1997, MSHA issued a proposed rule on Observation of Operator Noise Monitoring (RIN 1219-AB05) (62 FR 68468). On April 10, 1998, the Agency issued a notice announcing extension of comment period and close of record (63 FR 17781). The Agency has combined this rulemaking with the Noise rule (RIN 1219-AA53).</ADDITIONAL_INFO>
        <RFA_REQUIRED>Yes</RFA_REQUIRED>
        <SMALL_ENTITY_LIST>
            <SMALL_ENTITY>Businesses</SMALL_ENTITY>
        </SMALL_ENTITY_LIST>
        <GOVT_LEVEL_LIST>
            <GOVT_LEVEL>Local</GOVT_LEVEL>
            <GOVT_LEVEL>State</GOVT_LEVEL>
            <GOVT_LEVEL>Tribal</GOVT_LEVEL>
        </GOVT_LEVEL_LIST>
        <PRINT_PAPER>NA</PRINT_PAPER>
        <INTERNATIONAL_INTEREST>Not Collected</INTERNATIONAL_INTEREST>
        <AGENCY_CONTACT_LIST>
            <CONTACT>
                <FIRST_NAME>Marvin</FIRST_NAME>
                <LAST_NAME>Nichols</LAST_NAME>
                <MIDDLE_NAME>W.</MIDDLE_NAME>
                <SUFFIX>Jr.</SUFFIX>
                <TITLE>Director, Office of Standards</TITLE>
                <AGENCY>
                    <CODE>1219</CODE>
                    <NAME>Mine Safety and Health Administration</NAME>
                    <ACRONYM>MSHA</ACRONYM>
                </AGENCY>
                <PHONE>202 693-9440</PHONE>
                <FAX>202 693-9441</FAX>
                <EMAIL>nichols-marvin@dol.gov</EMAIL>
                <MAILING_ADDRESS>
                    <STREET_ADDRESS>Room 2352, 1100 Wilson Boulevard, Room 2350,</STREET_ADDRESS>
                    <CITY>Arlington</CITY>
                    <STATE>VA</STATE>
                    <ZIP>22209</ZIP>
                </MAILING_ADDRESS>
            </CONTACT>
        </AGENCY_CONTACT_LIST>
        <PROCUREMENT>Not Procurement Related</PROCUREMENT>
        <REINVENT_GOVT>Revising Text to Reduce Burden or Duplication, or Streamline Requirements</REINVENT_GOVT>
    </RIN_INFO>
</REGINFO_RIN_DATA>
