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 modify safety regulations regarding equipment used at their Coal Branch No. 2 Mine in West Virginia. The company seeks permission to use two types of Powered Air Purifying Respirators (PAPRs), which are not MSHA-approved, because they believe these PAPRs offer better respiratory protection and comfort for miners, especially those with facial hair or who cannot wear tight-fitting respirators. The proposal outlines detailed training, inspection, and maintenance guidelines to ensure safety and compliance. Public comments on the petition are to be submitted by January 15, 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) has received a petition from Consol Pennsylvania Coal Company, LLC to modify safety standards for the use of battery-powered equipment at their Harvey Mine in Pennsylvania. The company wants to use specific vibration analyzers and data collectors that are not currently approved by MSHA due to a lack of alternatives since the previous MSHA-approved equipment is no longer available. Consol argues that the new equipment, while not currently meeting MSHA's standards, provides a similar level of safety and is necessary for maintaining miner safety through predictive maintenance. The company proposes an alternative method for their use, ensuring that safety measures are upheld, and invites comments on this petition by January 9, 2025.

The Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) received a petition from ACNR Holdings, Inc. to modify current safety standards, allowing the use of 3M Versaflo TR-800 Powered Air Purifying Respirators in specific mines. This proposal seeks to replace the discontinued 3M airstream helmets and introduces an alternative method to ensure miner safety in hazardous locations, compatible with methane potential. The petition includes guidelines for equipment examination, battery handling, and miner training to maintain safety and compliance with federal regulations. Comments on this petition can be submitted until May 19, 2025.

The Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) has received a petition from Peabody Midwest Mining, LLC requesting a change to existing safety rules. The petition seeks permission to use battery-powered radios in mining operations, arguing these radios provide the same level of safety as the current standards. Peabody explains that the previously approved radios are no longer available, hence the need to use alternative radios that are safe and practical for the work environment. Comments on this petition are being accepted until January 6, 2025.

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 Mingo Logan Coal, LLC to modify safety standards at Mountaineer II Mine in Logan County, West Virginia. The company seeks permission to use alternative breathing equipment, the 3M Versaflo TR-800 and CleanSpace EX, which are not currently approved by MSHA but are deemed safe under other safety certifications. The petition outlines training and safety measures to ensure these devices offer equivalent protection to existing standards. The public is invited to comment on this request by January 29, 2025.

Rockwell Mining, LLC has submitted a petition to the Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) requesting a change to existing safety rules at its Coal Branch No. 1 Mine in West Virginia. The company wants permission to use certain powered air-purifying respirators (PAPRs), which are not MSHA-approved, in various parts of the mine. They argue that these devices provide a safe and comfortable alternative for respiratory protection, especially for miners who struggle with existing equipment due to facial hair or inability to fit-test. The petition outlines training and inspection protocols to ensure safety and seeks to expand respirator options for miners under new regulations concerning silica exposure.

The Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) has received a petition from Blue Diamond Mining, LLC, to modify a safety standard for using unapproved Powered Air Purifying Respirators (PAPRs) in specific areas of their mine. They wish to allow the use of certain PAPRs, like the CleanSpace EX and 3M Versaflo TR-800, which are not approved by MSHA but are considered safe by the manufacturer. The company argues that these respirators offer effective and comfortable protection, especially for workers with facial hair or those unable to wear tight-fitting respirators. The proposed modification includes detailed inspection, training, and maintenance protocols to ensure safety measures are upheld.

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.