Proposed Extension of Information Collection: Health Standards for Diesel Particulate Matter Exposure (Underground Coal Mines)

The Department of Labor (DOL), through its Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA), is seeking public comment on the renewal of an existing information collection requirement related to health standards governing diesel particulate matter (DPM) exposure in underground coal mines. This is a routine pre-clearance consultation under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, not a new regulatory action. The goal of this consultation is to evaluate whether the current data collection methods remain appropriate, whether the reporting burden on mine operators and workers is proportionate, and whether collection instruments are clearly understood by respondents. MSHA is specifically inviting feedback from the public and federal agencies before the collection is formally extended. Diesel particulate matter is a known carcinogen and respiratory hazard. Underground coal mine workers face elevated exposure risks due to confined spaces and heavy diesel-powered equipment. The existing health standards require mines to monitor, record, and report DPM exposure levels to ensure compliance with permissible exposure limits. This notice opens a public comment period, giving industry stakeholders, workers, health advocates, and federal partners an opportunity to weigh in on the burden, clarity, and effectiveness of the current information collection framework before it is extended.

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