Search Results for agency_names:"Mine Safety and Health Administration"

The Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) received a petition from Rockwell Mining, LLC, to allow the use of certain powered air purifying respirators (PAPRs) in specific areas of a mine, such as near pillar workings or longwall faces. These PAPRs, which include the CleanSpace EX and the 3M Versaflo TR-800s, are not MSHA-approved, but the petitioner claims they are intrinsically safe and offer better protection and comfort in hot conditions. The company proposes a detailed alternative method for ensuring safety, including training, inspections, and compliance with specific maintenance requirements. The notice invites public comments on the petition until January 15, 2025.

The Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) received a petition from Canyon Fuel Company, LLC, to modify a mandatory safety standard concerning the use of electric equipment at the Sufco Mine in Utah. The company wants to use the Drager X-plore 8000 powered air purifying respirator (PAPR) to help protect miners from dust, complementing the already approved 3M Versa Flo units. Canyon Fuel argues that the Drager PAPR could ease parts shortages and still ensure miner safety. The petition outlines alternative safety measures to ensure the proposed equipment provides equal protection to the current standards.

Consol Pennsylvania Coal Company, LLC submitted a petition to the Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) seeking permission to use certain battery-powered vibration analyzers and data collectors at the Enlow Fork Mine in Pennsylvania. These devices, the SCOUT100EX, SCOUT140EX, and vb7 models, are intended to replace a discontinued model and help prevent equipment failures in hazardous areas within the mine. Consol argues that these devices provide an equivalent level of safety as required by current standards, even though they are not MSHA-approved. The alternative method proposed by Consol is to ensure miners' safety while using these devices under specific conditions, including regular inspections and training.

The Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) received a petition from ACI Tygart Valley requesting permission to use alternative respirable dust protection equipment at the Leer Mine, due to the discontinuation of previously used equipment. They propose to use the 3M Versaflo TR-800 and CleanSpace EX Powered Air Purifying Respirators (PAPRs) as replacements, despite these not being MSHA-approved. ACI Tygart Valley argues that the proposed equipment provides equivalent safety measures and includes training and inspection protocols to ensure miner safety. MSHA will consider public comments on this proposed modification until April 21, 2025.

Sunrise Coal, LLC has requested a modification to existing safety standards from the Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA). They want to use specific non-approved respirators at their Indiana mines due to their benefits, such as providing a continuous flow of fresh air and accommodating miners unable to use tight-fitting masks. Sunrise Coal argues that their alternative methods ensure equal or greater safety compared to the current standards. Interested parties can submit comments to MSHA by April 21, 2025.

The Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) has received a petition from Rockwell Mining, LLC, requesting to modify the safety standard regarding the use of certain unapproved air purifying respirators in their Coal Branch No. 2 Mine. This modification seeks to incorporate alternatives to the currently available NIOSH-approved respirators, specifically the CleanSpace EX and 3M Versaflo TR-800 units, which provide continuous filtered air and suit miners with facial hair who cannot use traditional respirators. The petition argues that this alternative method offers protection equal to the existing standards, and the equipment will be maintained and operated under strict conditions to ensure safety. Public comments on this request are open until January 15, 2025.

The Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) received a petition from Mingo Logan Coal, LLC to modify existing safety standards for the Mountaineer II Mine in West Virginia. The petition seeks permission to use two types of respiratory protection devices, the 3M Versaflo TR-800 and the CleanSpace EX, as an alternative to currently approved equipment, which has been discontinued. The petitioner claims these devices provide the same level of safety and protection against coal dust, although they are not MSHA-approved. The proposal includes specific safety measures and training requirements for the use of these devices.

A petition has been submitted to the Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) by Kanawha Eagle Mining, LLC, seeking permission to use certain types of Powered Air Purifying Respirators (PAPRs) that are not currently approved by MSHA at the Winchester Peerless Rachel Mine in West Virginia. The company argues that these PAPRs provide both safety and comfort for miners, especially in hot conditions or for those with facial hair. The alternative safety measures outlined in the petition claim to offer equal protection compared to existing standards. MSHA is inviting public comments on this petition until January 6, 2025.

The Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) has issued a notice regarding a petition for modification submitted by Harrison County Coal Resources, Inc. The company seeks to change the existing safety standards by increasing the allowed length of certain electrical cables used in the Harrison County Mine. They argue that their proposed alternative methods provide equal or greater safety measures as compared to current standards. If granted, this modification would apply to trailing cables providing power to mining equipment, ensuring safety through specific conditions and training requirements.

The Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) received a petition from Blue Diamond Coal Co. for a change to the safety standards related to the use of certain air-purifying respirators in coal mines. The petition proposes an alternative method to allow these respirators, which are not MSHA-approved, to be used if they meet other safety requirements. The company argues that the respirators will offer strong protection and comfort for miners, especially those who have difficulty using traditional masks. MSHA is accepting public comments on this petition until March 21, 2025.