The Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) received a petition from Century Mining, LLC to modify a safety standard related to electric equipment used in mines. Due to the discontinuation of certain respirators, the company seeks permission to use alternative battery-powered respirators, which include the PureFlo, 3M Versaflo, and Drager models. These alternatives are not MSHA-approved but meet other safety standards. The petition outlines the use, maintenance, and training conditions for these devices to ensure miners' safety without compromising existing protective measures against respirable dust.
Simple Explanation
Century Mining wants to use new battery-powered breathing masks for miners because the old ones aren't made anymore, but the new ones don't have the special safety sticker they usually need.