Mine Safety and Health Administration – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

This final rule addresses the recommendations of the Technical Study Panel (Panel) on the Utilization of Belt Air and the Composition and Fire Retardant Properties of Belt Materials in Underground Coal Mining. The Panel was established under Section 11 of the Mine Improvement and New Emergency Response (MINER) Act of 2006. The final rule is consistent with the Panel's recommendations and includes requirements for: Flame-resistant conveyor belts; training Atmospheric Monitoring System operators; levels of respirable dust in belt entries; airlocks along escapeways; minimum and maximum air velocities; approval for the use of air from the belt entry to ventilate working sections; monitoring point-feed regulators; smoke sensors; standardized tactile signals on lifelines; replacing point-type heat sensors with carbon monoxide sensors; and belt conveyor and belt entry maintenance.

This notice is announcing the issuance of a Program Policy Letter (PPL) to provide mine operators guidance for implementing the Mine Improvement and New Emergency Response Act (MINER Act) requirements for wireless communications and electronic tracking systems. Material in the guidance does not constitute a regulation.

The Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) is amending and clarifying its existing health standards for asbestos exposure. The amendments make no substantive change to the existing standards, MSHA's enforcement of the standards, or the protection afforded miners under the standards.

The Department of Labor, as part of its continuing effort to reduce paperwork and respondent burden conducts a pre-clearance consultation program to provide the general public and Federal agencies with an opportunity to comment on proposed and/or continuing collections of information in accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (PRA95) [44 U.S.C. 3506 (c)(c)(A)]. This program helps to ensure that requested data can be provided in the desired format, reporting burden (time and financial resources) is minimized, collection instruments are clearly understood, and the impact of collection requirements on respondents can be properly assessed. Currently, the Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) is soliciting comments concerning the extension of the information collection related to the 30 CFR Sections:

The Department of Labor, as part of its continuing effort to reduce paperwork and respondent burden conducts a pre-clearance consultation program to provide the general public and Federal agencies with an opportunity to comment on proposed and/or continuing collections of information in accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (PRA95) [44 U.S.C. 3506 (c)(2)(A)]. This program helps to ensure that requested data can be provided in the desired format, reporting burden (time and financial resources) is minimized, collection instruments are clearly understood, and the impact of collection requirements on respondents can be properly assessed. Currently, the Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) is soliciting comments concerning the proposed extension of the information collection related to the 30 CFR Sections 46.3, 46.5, 46.6, 46.7, 46.8, 46.9, and 46.11; Training Plans, New Miner Training; Newly- Hired Experienced Miner Training; New Task Training; Annual Refresher Training; Records of Training; and Site-Specific Hazard Awareness Training.

The Department of Labor, as part of its continuing effort to reduce paperwork and respondent burden conducts a preclearance consultation program to provide the general public and Federal agencies with an opportunity to comment on the continuing collection of information in accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (PRA95) [44 U.S.C. 3506(c)(2)(A)]. This program helps to ensure that requested data can be provided in the desired format, reporting burden (time and financial resources) is minimized, collection instruments are clearly understood, and the impact of collection requirements on respondents can be properly assessed.

Section 101(c) of the Federal Mine Safety and Health Act of 1977 and 30 CFR Part 44 govern the application, processing, and disposition of petitions for modification. This notice is a summary of a petition for modification filed by the party listed below to modify the application of an existing mandatory safety standard published in Title 30 of the Code of Federal Regulations.

Section 101(c) of the Federal Mine Safety and Health Act of 1977 and 30 CFR Part 44 govern the application, processing, and disposition of petitions for modification. This notice is a summary of petitions for modification filed by the parties listed below to modify the application of existing mandatory safety standards published in Title 30 of the Code of Federal Regulations.

The Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) is revising the existing standard for the quantity and location of firefighting equipment in underground coal mines to assure that it is readily available to quickly extinguish a fire. In lieu of the existing requirements for rock dust and other firefighting equipment, this final rule allows the use of portable fire extinguishers in working sections of underground anthracite coal mines that have no electrical equipment at the working section and produce less than 300 tons of coal per shift. The rule also requires an additional fire extinguisher in lieu of rock dust at temporary electrical installations in all underground coal mines.

The proposed rule would replace the existing metal and nonmetal standards for the possession and use of intoxicating beverages and narcotics and establish a standard for all mines. The proposed rule would designate the substances that cannot be possessed on mine property or used while performing safety-sensitive job duties, except when used according to a valid prescription. Mine operators would be required to establish an alcohol- and drug-free mine program, which includes a written policy, employee education, supervisory training, alcohol- and drug-testing for miners that perform safety-sensitive job duties and their supervisors, and referrals to assistance for miners who violate the policy. The proposed rule would also require those who violate the prohibitions to be removed from the performance of safety- sensitive job duties until they complete the recommended treatment and their alcohol- and drug-free status is confirmed by a return-to-duty test.

The Mine Safety and Health Administration is reopening the rulemaking record on the request for information entitled ``Conveyor Belt Combustion Toxicity and Smoke Density'' published in the Federal Register on June 19, 2008 (73 FR 35057) and extending the comment period to September 8, 2008.

Section 101(c) of the Federal Mine Safety and Health Act of 1977 and 30 CFR part 44 govern the application, processing, and disposition of petitions for modification. This notice is a summary of petitions for modification filed by the parties listed below to modify the application of existing mandatory safety standards published in Title 30 of the Code of Federal Regulations.

This technical amendment updates MSHA's listing of Office of Management and Budget (OMB) control numbers for the Agency's standards and regulations. MSHA is prohibited from conducting a collection of information unless the Agency displays a currently valid OMB control number. This consolidated listing assists the public in searching for current MSHA standards and regulations that include information collection, recordkeeping, and reporting requirements approved by OMB under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995.

MSHA is requesting information from the public on smoke density and combustion toxicity tests that may be used to evaluate the fire hazard of conveyor belting and similar materials used in underground coal mines.

The Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) is proposing requirements for refuge alternatives in underground coal mines and the training of miners in their use. The proposed rule also includes requirements for testing and approval of refuge alternatives. The proposal would implement section 13 of the Mine Improvement and New Emergency Response (MINER) Act of 2006. Consistent with the MINER Act, it includes MSHA's response to the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health Report on Refuge Alternatives.

Section 101(c) of the Federal Mine Safety and Health Act of 1977 and 30 CFR part 44 govern the application, processing, and disposition of petitions for modification. This notice is a summary of petitions for modification filed by the parties listed below to modify the application of existing mandatory safety standards published in Title 30 of the Code of Federal Regulations.

Section 101(c) of the Federal Mine Safety and Health Act of 1977 and 30 CFR Part 44 govern the application, processing, and disposition of petitions for modification. This notice is a summary of petitions for modification filed by the parties listed below to modify the application of existing mandatory safety standards published in Title 30 of the Code of Federal Regulations.

The Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) enforces mine operator compliance with mandatory safety and health standards that protect miners and improve safety and health conditions in U.S. Mines. This Federal Register Notice (FR Notice) notifies the public that it has investigated and issued a final decision on certain mine operator petitions to modify a safety standard.

This final rule revises MSHA's Emergency Temporary Standard (ETS) and addresses sealing abandoned areas in underground coal mines. The final rule includes requirements for seal strength, design, construction, maintenance and repair of seals and monitoring and control of atmospheres behind seals in order to reduce the risk of seal failure and the risk of explosions in abandoned areas of underground coal mines. It also addresses the level of overpressure for new seals.

The Department of Labor, as part of its continuing effort to reduce paperwork and respondent burden conducts a preclearance consultation program to provide the general public and Federal agencies with an opportunity to comment on proposed and/or containing collections of information in accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (PRA95) [44 U.S.C. 3506(c)(2)(A)]. This program helps to ensure that requested data can be provided in the desired format, reporting burden (time and financial resources) is minimized, collection instruments are clearly understood, and the impact of collection requirements on respondents can be properly assessed.

Section 101(c) of the Federal Mine Safety and Health Act of 1977 and 30 CFR part 44 govern the application, processing, and disposition of petitions for modification. This notice is a summary of petitions for modification filed by the parties listed below to modify the application of existing mandatory safety standards published in Title 30 of the Code of Federal Regulations.

The final rule revises MSHA's existing standards for mine rescue teams for underground coal mines. This final rule implements Section 4 of the Mine Improvement and New Emergency Response (MINER) Act of 2006 to improve overall mine rescue capability; to improve mine emergency response time and mine rescue team effectiveness; and to increase the quantity and quality of mine rescue team training.

The Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) is revising its civil penalty assessment amounts to adjust for inflation. The Debt Collection Improvement Act of 1996 (DCIA) requires MSHA to adjust all civil penalties for inflation at least once every four years according to the formula specified in the Federal Civil Penalties Inflation Adjustment Act of 1990 (Inflation Adjustment Act). The revised penalties apply to citations and orders issued on or after the effective date of this rule.

Section 101(c) of the Federal Mine Safety and Health Act of 1977 and 30 CFR Part 44 govern the application, processing, and disposition of petitions for modification. This notice is a summary of petitions for modification filed by the parties listed below to modify the application of existing mandatory safety standards published in Title 30 of the Code of Federal Regulations.

This notice describes MSHA's revised fee schedule for testing, evaluating, and approving mining products as permitted by 30 CFR 5.50. MSHA charges applicants a fee to cover its costs associated with testing and evaluating equipment and materials manufactured for use in the mining industry. The new fee schedule, effective January 1, 2008, is based on MSHA's direct and indirect costs for providing services during fiscal year (FY) 2007.