Blue Diamond Coal Files Repeat Safety Mod Request
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 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.
Analyzed Economic Effects
4 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 2 costs, 0 mixed.
Permit use of two unapproved PAPRs
Blue Diamond Coal Co. asked MSHA to allow the CleanSpace EX and the 3M Versaflo TR-800 powered air purifying respirators (PAPRs) to be used within 150 feet of pillar workings or longwall faces at the Calvary No. 81 mine (MSHA ID No. 15-12753) in Leslie County, Kentucky. These PAPRs are not MSHA-approved as permissible and the petitioner requests this change to 30 CFR 75.1002(a).
New training, inspection, and battery rules
If the petition is granted, the operator would have to follow specific conditions including training miners per 30 CFR 48.7 and annual retraining per 30 CFR 48.8, maintain a logbook and weekly examinations by a qualified person (per 30 CFR 75.512-1) with records kept one year, perform pre-use examinations and assign unique ID numbers to each unit, and follow battery charging and handling rules (charging in intake air outby the last open crosscut and use only specified battery packs meeting UL 1642 or IEC 62133).
Respirator option for miners who fail fit tests
The petitioner says the CleanSpace EX and 3M Versaflo TR-800 PAPRs would provide an alternative for miners who cannot pass tight-fitting respirator "fit tests" (for example, miners with facial hair) and would give a constant flow of filtered air to improve comfort in hot conditions. The petition proposes adding these PAPRs to the mine's written respiratory protection program required by MSHA's silica rule.
No MSHA-approved PAPRs currently available nearby
The petitioner states that the 3M Airstream headgear-mounted PAPR has been discontinued by the manufacturer and, as a result, there are no other MSHA-approved PAPR units available for use within 150 feet of pillar workings or longwall faces. This is presented as part of the reason for requesting permission to use the unapproved units.
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Key Dates
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Previous / Next Documents
Previous: 2025-02766, 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. 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.
Next: 2025-02768, 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 mean safer or more efficient mining without extra costs or delays.