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

The U.S. Department of Labor issued a final rule to adjust civil monetary penalties for inflation, as required by the Federal Civil Penalties Inflation Adjustment Act. This rule, effective January 15, 2025, ensures that penalties keep up with inflation, applying a cost-of-living adjustment multiplier based on changes in the Consumer Price Index. The adjustments apply to penalties assessed after the effective date, maintaining the penalties' deterrent effect. This regulation does not consider public comments due to the non-discretionary nature of the inflation adjustments mandated by the Act.

The Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) has received a petition from Peabody Twentymile Mining, LLC, requesting a change to safety standards at the Foidel Creek Mine in Colorado. The company wants permission to use a new type of respirator, the Drager X-plore 8700 PAPR, due to the discontinuation of the previously used 3M Airstream helmet. To ensure miner safety, Peabody has proposed several conditions for using the new equipment, including inspections, training, and compliance with methane safety requirements. The goal is to maintain the same level of protection for workers as the original safety standards.

The Federal Mine Safety and Health Act of 1977 allows mine operators or miner representatives to propose alternative safety methods if they can ensure equal or better safety compared to current standards. The Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) reviews such petitions and provides decisions which can include approval, partial approval, or denial. This notice lists petitions that were approved by MSHA between April 20, 2019, and December 14, 2020. The document includes detailed information on the affected regulations and corresponding mines.

The Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) received a petition from Consol Pennsylvania Coal Company, LLC, requesting a modification of existing safety standards for the use of specific battery-powered equipment at the Bailey Mine. Consol wants to use vibration analyzers and portable data collectors to safely predict and prevent equipment failures, as the currently approved devices are no longer manufactured. The company's proposal includes safety measures such as regular equipment inspections and training for personnel. They assert that the alternative methods will maintain the safety standards required by federal regulations.

Signal Peak Energy, LLC has submitted a petition to the Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) requesting a change to existing safety standards at Bull Mountains Mine No. 1 in Montana. They want to use Dräger X-plore 8700 Powered Air Purifying Respirators (PAPRs) instead of the current equipment, claiming this new model offers better performance and safety. Although these devices are not directly approved by MSHA, they are certified as safe for use in facilities with explosive gases and dust. Signal Peak Energy has detailed safety measures and training requirements to ensure the equipment keeps miners protected.

Consol Pennsylvania Coal Company, LLC submitted a petition to the Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) requesting permission to use specific non-permissible battery-powered vibration analyzers and data collectors at the Bailey Mine in Pennsylvania. The issue arose because these devices were needed to replace older equipment that was no longer available, as there were no new MSHA-approved devices on the market. The company argues that using these devices does not compromise the safety of miners, as they are compliant with other international safety standards. The petition outlines various safety measures and training protocols that Consol will follow to ensure safe operation of the equipment in potentially hazardous mining environments.

The Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) has received a petition from Kanawha Eagle Mining, LLC, seeking to modify existing safety standards for their Winchester Peerless Rachel Mine in West Virginia. The company wants to use specific Powered Air Purifying Respirators (PAPRs) as alternative safety equipment, which are not currently approved by MSHA but are deemed intrinsically safe by the manufacturers. They argue that these PAPRs provide better protection and comfort for miners, especially those with facial hair who find it difficult to use standard respirators. The proposal includes specific guidelines for training, inspection, and usage of the PAPRs to ensure miner safety.

The Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) has received a petition from ICG Beckley, LLC for a modification to existing mine safety standards. The company wants to use unapproved Powered Air Purifying Respirators (PAPRs), specifically the CleanSpace EX and 3M Versaflo TR-800, in certain mining environments. These devices are suggested as alternatives to the discontinued 3M Airstream helmet, providing respiratory protection from coal mine dust. ICG Beckley argues that their use will maintain or enhance miner safety, even though these devices aren't MSHA approved. They propose extensive training, regular inspections, and strict conditions for using these PAPRs to ensure miner safety.

The Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) received a petition from Blue Diamond Coal Co. seeking to modify existing safety standards to allow specific types of powered air purifying respirators (PAPRs) in certain mining areas. The company requested permission to use the CleanSpace EX and 3M Versaflo TR-800 PAPRs, which are not MSHA-approved but are claimed to be intrinsically safe. These respirators offer continuous airflow and may better protect miners, including those with facial hair, from harmful dust than the current equipment. The proposal includes specific training and safety checks to ensure the devices' safe use.

The Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) received a petition from Rockwell Mining, LLC, seeking to modify an existing safety standard at the Flying Eagle Mine in West Virginia. The company wants approval to use specific powered air purifying respirators (PAPRs) that are not MSHA-approved but are deemed intrinsically safe. They argue that these PAPRs provide better comfort and protection in hot conditions, especially for miners with facial hair. The company has outlined a detailed training and inspection plan to ensure these PAPRs are used safely.