Search Results for keywords:"mandatory safety standards"

The Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) received a petition from Peabody Twentymile Mining, LLC, requesting modifications to existing mandatory safety standards for their Foidel Creek Mine. The petition seeks permission to use the Drager X-plore 8700 Powered Air Purifying Respirator (PAPR) as an alternative to currently approved equipment, due to the discontinuation of the 3M Airstream system. MSHA outlines detailed conditions and safety measures to ensure that the Drager equipment provides the same level of protection to miners. Public comments on this petition must be submitted by April 2, 2025.

Blue Diamond Coal Co. submitted a petition to the Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) requesting permission to modify safety standards at the Calvary No. 81 mine in Kentucky. The company wants to use certain unapproved Powered Air Purifying Respirators (PAPRs) to provide better respiratory protection and comfort for miners, especially those with facial hair or who have difficulty wearing tight-fitting masks. The petition outlines safety checks, training, and maintenance procedures for the PAPRs, emphasizing that these alternatives could provide equal or greater safety for miners. Public comments on the proposal are invited until March 21, 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 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.

ACNR Holdings, Inc. has submitted a petition to the Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) requesting a change to existing safety standards for mining equipment. They want to use a new type of air-purifying respirator, the 3M Versaflo TR-800, in their mines to protect workers from dust. The request is specific to certain mines in West Virginia and suggests that the new respirator meets necessary safety requirements for areas with potential methane gas. Miners will be trained to use and maintain the equipment safely.

The Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) received a petition from Rockwell Mining, LLC, to modify safety standards for their Eagle #3 Mine in West Virginia. The company seeks approval to use specific powered air purifying respirators (PAPRs) near pillar workings or longwall faces, arguing these provide at least the same level of safety as current MSHA standards. The new equipment offers better protection for miners, especially those unable to use tight-fitting masks. Comments on the petition can be submitted through various channels until January 10, 2025.

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission has updated safety standards for play yards, which are framed enclosures for children. The new rule incorporates the latest voluntary standard, ASTM F406-24, which includes several safety improvements, such as clearer definitions and warning labels to prevent strangulation, and requirements for cord and strap lengths to avoid hazards. These updates will become mandatory on April 5, 2025, unless significant adverse comments are received by February 28, 2025. The changes aim to enhance the safety of play yards without needing public comment, as the revised standard will automatically take effect under the law.

The Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) has received a petition from Signal Peak Energy, LLC, seeking to change the mandatory safety standards for its Bull Mountains Mine No. 1 in Montana. The company wants to use Dräger X-plore 8700 Powered Air Purifying Respirators (PAPRs) instead of the currently approved 3M units to keep miners safe from airborne dust. Signal Peak argues that the Dräger PAPRs are just as safe and effective and have sought approval because these units meet safety standards for use in explosive or dusty environments. Comments on this petition are invited until April 3, 2025.

The Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA), under the Department of Labor, announced the approval of several petitions for modification of mandatory safety standards in mines. These petitions, which were evaluated between July 1, 2024, and December 31, 2024, allow for alternative safety methods that provide miners with protection comparable to the original standards. Among the modifications granted are those for Peabody Twentymile Coal Mining in Colorado and Panther Creek Mining in West Virginia, addressing various electrical safety regulations at the respective mines. The decisions were based on a detailed investigation of the conditions at the mines and compliance with specific safety requirements.