Coal Mine Seeks Safety Rule Tweak Approval
Published Date: 2/19/2025
Notice
Summary
Blue Diamond Coal Co. wants to change some safety rules at their mine to use a different method that keeps miners just as safe. They’ve asked the Mine Safety and Health Administration to review this, and everyone has until March 21, 2025, to share their thoughts. This could affect how safety is managed at the mine but won’t cut corners on protection or add extra costs.
Analyzed Economic Effects
2 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 1 costs, 0 mixed.
Miners may be allowed PAPR use
Blue Diamond Coal Co. has petitioned MSHA to modify 30 CFR 75.500(d) so miners at Calvary No. 81 (MSHA ID 15-12753, Leslie County, Kentucky) could take and use two specific unapproved Powered Air Purifying Respirators (PAPRs) — the CleanSpace EX and the 3M Versaflo TR-800 — inby the last open crosscut. The petition says these PAPRs are intrinsically safe, provide a constant flow of filtered air (helpful in hot conditions), and can be an option for miners with facial hair who may fail tight-fitting respirator fit tests; the petitioner asserts the alternative will guarantee no less protection than the mandatory standard.
Strict training and battery rules required
The petitioned alternative requires the operator to provide training (per 30 CFR 48.5, 48.6, 48.7, and 48.8), keep training records, perform weekly qualified examinations recorded in a logbook (maintained for one year), assign unique IDs to each PAPR unit, and follow specific lithium-battery handling and charging rules (e.g., charge only outby the last open crosscut in intake air and use specified chargers such as 3M TR-641N/TR-644N or CleanSpace EX Charger PAF-0066). These procedures must be followed before and during PAPR use and will be available to MSHA on request.
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Blue Diamond Coal Co. wants to change some safety rules at their mine to use a different method that keeps miners just as safe. This petition could affect miners and the company by possibly changing how safety checks are done, with no extra costs expected. Everyone has until March 21, 2025, to share their thoughts on this plan.