[Federal Register Volume 74, Number 120 (Wednesday, June 24, 2009)]
[Notices]
[Pages 30096-30097]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E9-14834]


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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

[60Day-09-09BW]


Proposed Data Collections Submitted for Public Comment and 
Recommendations

    In compliance with the requirement of section 3506(c)(2)(A) of the 
Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 for opportunity for public comment on 
proposed data collection projects, the Centers for Disease Control and 
Prevention (CDC) will publish periodic summaries of proposed projects. 
To request more information on the proposed projects or to obtain a 
copy of the data collection plans and instruments, call 404-639-5960 
and send comments to Maryam I. Daneshvar, CDC Acting Reports Clearance 
Officer, 1600 Clifton Road, MS-D74, Atlanta, GA 30333 or send an e-mail 
to <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#7817151a381b1c1b561f170e"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="1976747b597a7d7a377e766f">[email protected]</span></a>.
    Comments are invited on: (a) Whether the proposed collection of 
information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of 
the agency, including whether the information shall have practical 
utility; (b) the accuracy of the agency's estimate of the burden of the 
proposed collection of information; (c) ways to enhance the quality, 
utility, and clarity of the information to be collected; and (d) ways 
to minimize the burden of the collection of information on respondents, 
including through the use of automated collection techniques or other 
forms of information technology. Written comments should be received 
within 60 days of this notice.

Proposed Project

    Postural Analysis in Low-Seam Mines--New--National Institute for 
Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), Centers for Disease Control and 
Prevention (CDC).

Background and Brief Description

    NIOSH, under Public Law 91-596, sections 20 and 22 (section 20-22, 
Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970) has the responsibility to 
conduct research relating to innovative methods, techniques, and 
approaches dealing with occupational safety and health problems.
    According to the Mining Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) 
injury database, 227 knee injuries were reported in underground coal 
mining in 2007. With data from the National Institute for Occupational 
Safety and Health (NIOSH), it can be estimated that the financial 
burden of knee injuries was nearly three million dollars in 2007.
    Typically, mine workers utilize kneepads to better distribute the 
pressures at the knee. The effectiveness of these kneepads is to be 
investigated in a study by NIOSH. Thus, NIOSH will be determining the 
forces, stresses, and moments at the knee while in postures associated 
with low-seam mining. At this time, the postures utilized by low-seam 
mine workers and their frequency of use are unknown. Therefore, before 
conducting this larger, experimental study, the proposed field study 
must be conducted.
    The aim of the proposed field study is to determine the postures 
predominantly used by low-seam mine workers such that they may complete 
the various tasks associated with their job duties. A questionnaire was 
developed for each of the major job types seen in low-seam mines with 
continuous miners (continuous miner operator, roof bolter operator, 
shuttle car operator, mobile bridge operator, mechanic, beltman, 
maintenance shift worker, foreman). The questionnaire asks basic 
demographic information (e.g., time in job type, years in mining, age). 
Additionally, a series of questions are asked such that it may be 
determined if a mine worker is likely to have a knee injury, even if it 
is undiagnosed. These questions were developed with the help of a 
physical therapist. A schematic of possible postures will then be 
presented to the mine workers and they will be asked to identify the 
primary two postures they utilize to complete their job duties. The 
questionnaire then asks mine workers to identify the primary postures 
they utilize to complete specific tasks (e.g., hanging curtain, 
building stoppings) that are part of their job duties. Finally, mine 
workers are asked to identify those postures that are least and most 
comfortable/stressful. There is no cost to respondents other than their 
time.

[[Page 30097]]



                                        Estimated Annualized Burden Hours
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                     Number of    Average burden
          Respondents               Form name        Number of     responses per   per response    Total burden
                                                    respondents     respondent      (in hours)      (in hours)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Continuous Miner Operator.....  Continuous Miner               5               1           10/60               1
                                 Operator Form.
Foreman.......................  Foreman Form....               5               1           10/60               1
Maintenance Shift Worker......  Maintenance                   10               1           10/60               2
                                 Shift Worker
                                 Form.
Mobile Bridge Operator........  Mobile Bridge                 10               1           10/60               2
                                 Operator Form.
Roof Bolter Operator..........  Roof Bolter                   14               1           10/60               2
                                 Operator Form.
Scoop Operator................  Scoop Operator                 6               1           10/60               1
                                 Form.
Shuttle Car Operator..........  Shuttle Car                    6               1           10/60               1
                                 Operator Form.
Mechanic......................  Mechanic Form...               6               1           10/60               1
Beltman.......................  Beltman Form....               2               1           10/60             0.5
                                                 ---------------------------------------------------------------
    Total.....................  ................  ..............  ..............  ..............              12
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


    Dated: June 11, 2009.
Maryam I. Daneshvar,
Acting Reports Clearance Officer, Centers for Disease Control and 
Prevention.
[FR Doc. E9-14834 Filed 6-23-09; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4163-18-P


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