Coal Mine Begs to Slightly Alter Safety Rules, Yawn
Published Date: 3/4/2025
Notice
Summary
Signal Peak Energy, LLC is asking to change some mine safety rules to use a different method that keeps miners just as safe. This affects coal miners and aims to keep safety strong without extra costs or delays. Everyone has until April 3, 2025, to share their thoughts on this petition.
Analyzed Economic Effects
1 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.
Request to allow Dräger X‑plore 8700 PAPRs
If you work at Bull Mountains Mine No. 1, Signal Peak Energy asked MSHA to allow the Dräger X‑plore 8700 powered air purifying respirators (PAPRs) to be used within 150 feet of pillar workings or longwall faces as an alternative to 30 CFR 75.1002(a) to protect miners from respirable dust. The petition includes specific conditions: batteries must be charged only in intake air (surface or underground) and not within 150 feet of a worked‑out area; approved battery packs (P/N R59575 or R59595) with charging Um = 18 V DC; units must be inspected for physical damage before use; miners must be trained; and the PAPRs must not be used if methane is at or above 1 percent.
Personalized for You
How does this regulation affect your finances?
Personalize government policy and PRIA will tell you what this federal register document means for your household, plus every other regulation we track. PRIA reads each provision against your financial profile to show you exactly what matters to your wallet.
Key Dates
Department and Agencies
Related Federal Register Documents
2026-15717, Ventilation Plan Approval Criteria
In response to a public request, the Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) is reopening the rulemaking record and is scheduling a virtual public hearing on the Agency's proposed rule published on July 1, 2025, titled, "Ventilation Plan Approval Criteria."
2026-15670, Roof Control Plan Approval Criteria
In response to a public request, the Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) is reopening the rulemaking record and is scheduling a virtual public hearing on the Agency's proposed rule published on July 1, 2025, titled, "Roof Control Plan Approval Criteria."
2026-10456, Department of Labor Federal Civil Penalties Inflation Adjustment Act Annual Adjustments for 2026
Good news for businesses and workers: the Department of Labor won’t raise any fines or penalties in 2026 because the usual inflation data wasn’t available. This means all civil penalties stay the same starting May 27, 2026. So, no surprise cost hikes this year—just steady rules and steady fees!
2026-19837, Proposed Extension of Information Collection: Certification and Qualification To Examine, Test, Operate Hoists and Perform Other Duties
The Mine Safety and Health Administration wants to keep collecting info on certifying and qualifying people who operate hoists and do related tasks in mines. This helps keep miners safe by making sure only qualified folks handle this important equipment. They’re asking for public comments by November 30, 2026, and there’s no new cost or big changes—just a smooth extension of the current process.
2026-19266, Proposed Extension of Information Collection: Refuse Piles and Impoundment Structures
The Mine Safety and Health Administration wants to keep collecting info about refuse piles and impoundment structures to keep miners safe. They’re asking for public feedback by November 20, 2026, to make sure the paperwork isn’t too much trouble. This update won’t cost extra but helps keep safety rules clear and easy to follow for mining companies.
2026-15141, Proposed Extension of Information Collection: Safety Program for Surface Mobile Equipment
The Mine Safety and Health Administration wants to keep collecting info about safety programs for surface mobile equipment used in mines. This helps make sure workers stay safe while keeping paperwork easy and clear. If you’re involved with mining equipment, you can share your thoughts by September 25, 2026—no extra costs or big changes are planned right now.
Previous / Next Documents
Previous: 2025-03473, Sunshine Act Meetings
The SEC is holding a closed meeting on March 6, 2025, to discuss important legal and enforcement matters like lawsuits and investigations. This affects SEC commissioners and select staff, with no public access or direct cost changes. If anything about the meeting changes, updates will be posted online, keeping everyone in the loop.
Next: 2025-03400, 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 site and could change how safety checks are done, but won’t cost extra money. Everyone has until April 3, 2025, to share their thoughts on this petition.