Another coal firm petitions to tweak mine safety rules
Published Date: 4/18/2025
Notice
Summary
ACNR Holdings, Inc. asked to change some mine safety rules to use a different way that keeps miners just as safe. This affects coal and other mines and aims to keep safety strong without extra costs or delays. Everyone has until May 19, 2025, to share their thoughts on this change.
Analyzed Economic Effects
2 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 0 costs, 1 mixed.
Request to Allow 3M Versaflo TR-800 PAPR
ACNR Holdings asks MSHA to allow use of the 3M Versaflo TR-800 Powered Air Purifying Respirator (PAPR) as an alternative to 30 CFR 75.500(d) for respirable dust protection in or inby the last open crosscut at four West Virginia mines: Ohio County Mine (MSHA ID 46-01436), Marshall County Mine (46-01437), Marion County Mine (46-01433), and Harrison County Mine (46-01318). The petitioner notes 3M discontinued the Airstream helmet and asserts no other MSHA‑approved PAPRs are available and that the Versaflo TR-800 will guarantee no less protection than the mandatory standard.
Required Maintenance, Charging, and Use Conditions
The petition proposes conditions for using the Versaflo TR-800 PAPR: equipment must be examined at least weekly by a qualified person per 30 CFR 75.512-2 with records retained up to one year; methane monitoring must be conducted and if methane reaches 1.0% or more, procedures under 30 CFR 75.323 apply; battery and equipment inspection steps are specified; only the 3M TR-830 battery pack (or manufacturer equivalent) may be used; TR-830 packs must be charged only on the surface using the 3M TR-641N or TR-644N chargers (or equivalent); any battery changeouts must occur in intake air outby the last open crosscut; battery packs must be removed from service if performance decreases by greater than 20%; miners must be trained on use, care, inspection, and the Proposed Decision and Order (PDO) before using the equipment and training records must be kept.
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Key Dates
Department and Agencies
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