Canyon Fuel Mine Wants Alternative Safety Methods Approved
Published Date: 3/3/2025
Notice
Summary
Canyon Fuel Company wants to change some safety rules at their mine to use a different method that keeps miners just as safe. This petition affects miners and the company, with a chance to comment by April 2, 2025. If approved, it could save time or money while still protecting workers.
Analyzed Economic Effects
3 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 1 costs, 0 mixed.
Allow Drager PAPR within 150-foot zone
The petitioner asks MSHA to allow use of the Drager X-plore 8000 powered air purifying respirator (PAPR) to protect miners from respirable dust during normal mining conditions within 150 feet of pillar working or longwall faces. Comments on the petition are due April 2, 2025.
Relieve 3M Versa Flo supply shortages
Canyon Fuel Company proposes using the Drager X-plore 8000 alongside existing 3M Versa Flo units because 3M Versa Flo filters and parts are in shortage and on backorder; approval would let the mine rely on Drager units to address storage and backorder issues while maintaining respirator availability. Comments must be submitted by April 2, 2025.
Specific operational conditions required
The proposed alternative includes operational requirements: batteries must be charged outby the last open crosscut when not in operation; charging must use the Drager battery charger for the X-plore 8000; only the Drager X-plore 8700 battery may be used; affected miners must be trained per manufacturer instructions; units must be checked for physical damage; and if methane is detected at 1.0 percent or more, procedures under 30 CFR 75.323 must be followed.
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Key Dates
Department and Agencies
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Previous: 2025-03391, Petition for Modification of Application of Existing Mandatory Safety Standards
Signal Peak Energy, LLC asked to change some mine safety rules to use a different way that keeps miners just as safe. This affects coal miners at their mine and could change how safety checks are done, but won’t reduce protection. Everyone has until April 2, 2025, to share their thoughts, and no extra costs are expected from this change.
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Peabody Twentymile Mining wants to change some safety rules at their mine, promising to keep miners just as safe with new methods. This affects miners at their site and could change how safety checks are done, but won’t cut corners on protection. Everyone has until April 2, 2025, to share their thoughts, so speak up if you care about mine safety!