Coal Mine Wants Safety Rule Tweak—Still Safe, Promise!
Published Date: 4/18/2025
Notice
Summary
Wolf Run Mining 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 making safety checks easier or different, but still safe. Everyone has until May 19, 2025, to share their thoughts, and no extra costs are expected right now.
Analyzed Economic Effects
3 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 1 costs, 0 mixed.
Methane Limits and Continuous Monitoring Rules
The petition’s proposed conditions require that the Versaflo TR-800 and CleanSpace EX PAPRs be deenergized and removed if methane reaches 1.0 percent or more, and that a qualified person continuously monitor for methane immediately before and during their use. All handheld methane detectors used must be MSHA-approved and give visual and audible warnings at or above 1.0 percent methane.
Petition to Allow Two Alternative PAPRs
Wolf Run Mining asks MSHA to allow use of the 3M Versaflo TR-800 and the CleanSpace EX powered air purifying respirators (PAPRs) as an alternative to 30 CFR 75.500(d) at the Leer South Mine. If MSHA grants the proposed Decision and Order, miners would use these specific PAPRs under conditions that include training, weekly equipment examinations and logbooks, MSHA initial inspection before use inby the last open crosscut, and required recordkeeping and service per the manufacturer.
Airstream Discontinued; No MSHA-Approved Replacements
3M discontinued the Airstream helmet globally (orders final in February 2020; last purchase June 2020), and following that discontinuation mines that used the Airstream have no MSHA-approved alternative PAPR. The petitioner states that the 3M Versaflo TR-800 and the CleanSpace EX are not MSHA approved and that 3M and CleanSpace are not pursuing MSHA permissibility approval.
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Key Dates
Department and Agencies
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Previous / Next Documents
Previous: 2025-06721, Petition for Modification of Application of Existing Mandatory Safety Standards
3M Company asked to change some mine safety rules to use a different way that keeps miners just as safe. This affects miners and mine operators, aiming to keep safety strong without extra costs or delays. Everyone has until May 19, 2025, to share their thoughts on this change.
Next: 2025-06723, Petition for Modification of Application of Existing Mandatory Safety Standards
Wolf Run Mining, LLC asked to change some mine safety rules to use a different way that keeps miners just as safe. This affects miners at Wolf Run’s operations and could change how safety checks are done, but won’t cost extra or reduce protection. Everyone has until May 19, 2025, to share their thoughts on this petition.