Occupational Noise Exposure for Railroad Operating Employees

Forms and Documents

Document Name	Status
49 CFR 1.89 Delegations to FRA Administrator 10-01-2012.pdf Supplementary Document	2024-07-30
July 30, 2024 FR Notice (30-Day).pdf Supplementary Document	2024-07-30
May 28, 2024 FR Notice (60-Day).pdf Supplementary Document	2024-05-28
2130-0571_Occupational Noise Exposure_SJ_5-28-2024.docx Supporting Statement A	2024-05-28
49 CFR 229.121 and App. H.doc Supplementary Document	2008-12-11
49 CFR 227.doc Supplementary Document	2008-12-10
49USC20701.doc Supplementary Document	2006-10-27
49USC20702.doc Supplementary Document	2006-10-27
49USC20703.doc Supplementary Document	2006-10-27
49 U.S.C. 20103.doc Supplementary Document	2006-10-27
PL 102-365b.doc Supplementary Document	2006-10-27

IC Document Collections

IC ID	Document Title	Status
45829	Noise Monitoring and Waivers (§ 270.13 and § 270.103)	Modified
246694	Locomotive Cab Noise and In-Cab Static (§ 229.121 and Appendix H)	Modified
246693	Recordings and Requests (§ 227.121)	Modified
246692	Hearing Conservation Training Program (§ 227.119)	Modified
246691	Hearing Protection Attenuation (§ 227.117)	Modified
246690	Audiometric Test (§ 227.111)	Modified
246689	Audiometric Testing Program (§ 227.109)	Modified
246688	Hearing Conservation Program (§ 227.107)	Modified

ICR Details

OMB Control No: 2130-0571	ICR Reference No: 202401-2130-004
Status: Received in OIRA	Previous ICR Reference No: 202103-2130-001
Agency/Subagency: DOT/FRA	Agency Tracking No:
Title: Occupational Noise Exposure for Railroad Operating Employees
Type of Information Collection: Extension without change of a currently approved collection	Common Form ICR:  No
Type of Review Request: Regular	Date Submitted to OIRA: 07/30/2024

	Requested	Previously Approved
Expiration Date	36 Months From Approved	07/31/2024
Responses	159,925	159,925
Time Burden (Hours)	3,974	3,980
Cost Burden (Dollars)	0	0

---

Abstract: This information collection is used by FRA to monitor regulatory compliance with 49 CFR Parts 227 and 229. Specifically, FRA uses the collection of information to ensure that railroads establish and implement noise monitoring, hearing conservation, and audiometric testing programs to protect their employees against the harmful effects of excessive noise in the workplace. Additionally, railroads must maintain testing and training records on noise and hearing conservation. This collection of information is mandatory and it involves both reporting and recordkeeping requirements. The collection frequency of the required information occurs on an annual basis as well as an occasional basis.

---

Authorizing Statute(s): PL: Pub.L. 102 - 365 10 Name of Law: Rail Safety Enforcement and Review Act
  

Citations for New Statutory Requirements: None

---

Associated Rulemaking Information
RIN:	Stage of Rulemaking:	Federal Register Citation:	Date:
	Not associated with rulemaking

---

Federal Register Notices & Comments
60-day Notice:	Federal Register Citation:	Citation Date:
	89 FR 46296	05/28/2024
30-day Notice:	Federal Register Citation:	Citation Date:
	89 FR 61228	07/30/2024
Did the Agency receive public comments on this ICR? No

---

Number of Information Collection (IC) in this ICR: 8

IC Title	Form No.	Form Name
Audiometric Test (§ 227.111)
Audiometric Testing Program (§ 227.109)
Hearing Conservation Program (§ 227.107)
Hearing Conservation Training Program (§ 227.119)
Hearing Protection Attenuation (§ 227.117)
Locomotive Cab Noise and In-Cab Static (§ 229.121 and Appendix H)
Noise Monitoring and Waivers (§ 270.13 and § 270.103)
Recordings and Requests (§ 227.121)

---

ICR Summary of Burden

	Total Request	Previously Approved	Change Due to New Statute	Change Due to Agency Discretion	Change Due to Adjustment in Estimate	Change Due to Potential Violation of the PRA
Annual Number of Responses	159,925	159,925	0	0	0	0
Annual Time Burden (Hours)	3,974	3,980	0	0	-6	0
Annual Cost Burden (Dollars)	0	0	0	0	0	0

Burden increases because of Program Change due to Agency Discretion: No

Burden Increase Due to:

Burden decreases because of Program Change due to Agency Discretion: No

Burden Reduction Due to:

Short Statement: This is an extension without change (with changes in estimates) to a currently approved information collection request (ICR). The current OMB inventory for this ICR shows a total burden of 3,980 hours and 159,925 responses while the requesting inventory estimates a total burden of 3,974 hours and 159,925 responses. Overall, the burden for this submission has decreased by 6 hours. There is no change in the method of the collection. The decrease in burden is solely the result of minor rounding adjustments.

---

Annual Cost to Federal Government: $22,903

Does this IC contain surveys, censuses, or employ statistical methods? No

Does this ICR request any personally identifiable information (see OMB Circular No. A-130 for an explanation of this term)? Please consult with your agency's privacy program when making this determination.     No

Does this ICR include a form that requires a Privacy Act Statement (see 5 U.S.C. §552a(e)(3))? Please consult with your agency's privacy program when making this determination.     No

Is this ICR related to the Affordable Care Act [Pub. L. 111-148 & 111-152]? No

Is this ICR related to the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act, [Pub. L. 111-203]? No

Is this ICR related to the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA)? No

Is this ICR related to the Pandemic Response? No

---

Common Form ICR:  No

---

On behalf of this Federal agency, I certify that the collection of information encompassed by this request complies with 5 CFR 1320.9 and the related provisions of 5 CFR 1320.8(b)(3).

The following is a summary of the topics, regarding the proposed collection of information, that the certification covers:

(a) It is necessary for the proper performance of agency functions;

(b) It avoids unnecessary duplication;

(c) It reduces burden on small entities;

(d) It uses plain, coherent, and unambiguous language that is understandable to respondents;

(e) Its implementation will be consistent and compatible with current reporting and recordkeeping practices;

(f) It indicates the retention periods for recordkeeping requirements;

(g) It informs respondents of the information called for under 5 CFR 1320.8 (b)(3) about:

(i) Why the information is being collected;

(ii) Use of information;

(iii) Burden estimate;

(iv) Nature of response (voluntary, required for a benefit, or mandatory);

(v) Nature and extent of confidentiality; and

(vi) Need to display currently valid OMB control number;

(h) It was developed by an office that has planned and allocated resources for the efficient and effective management and use of the information to be collected.

(i) It uses effective and efficient statistical survey methodology (if applicable); and

(j) It makes appropriate use of information technology.

If you are unable to certify compliance with any of these provisions, identify the item by leaving the box unchecked and explain the reason in the Supporting Statement.

Certification Date: 07/30/2024

---