Another Blue Diamond Mine Safety Petition Drops
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. 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.
Analyzed Economic Effects
2 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.
Request to Allow Two Unapproved PAPRs
If you work at Calvary No. 81 (MSHA ID 15-12753), Blue Diamond Coal Co. has asked MSHA to allow two specific, non‑MSHA‑approved powered air purifying respirators (CleanSpace EX and 3M Versaflo TR-800) to be used inby the last open crosscut and in return air outby the last open crosscut under 30 CFR 75.507-1(a). The company says these PAPRs would be an alternative to the NIOSH-approved series 100 respirators and would help miners who cannot pass tight‑fit tests (for example, miners with facial hair).
New Use, Training, Inspection, and Battery Rules
The petition proposes conditions if the PAPRs are allowed: training in accordance with 30 CFR 48.7 before use and annual retraining per 30 CFR 48.8; weekly examinations by a qualified person per 30 CFR 75.512-1 with records kept for one year; unique ID and pre-use checks for each unit; and lithium battery rules requiring use of 3M TR-830 battery packs or CleanSpace EX power units that meet UL 1642 or IEC 62133 standards, charging and battery changeouts only in intake air outby the last open crosscut, and use of manufacturer-recommended chargers (examples: 3M TR-641N, TR-644N, or CleanSpace PAF-0066).
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Key Dates
Department and Agencies
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Previous / Next Documents
Previous: 2025-02765, Petition for Modification of Application of Existing Mandatory Safety Standards
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.
Next: 2025-02767, Petition for Modification of Application of Existing Mandatory Safety Standards
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 approve this change, and everyone has until March 21, 2025, to share their thoughts. This could affect how safety is managed on the mine site but won’t cut corners on protection or add extra costs.