Federal Forms to Fight Fiery Coal Dust Bunnies in Mines
Published Date: 12/8/2025
Notice
Summary
The Department of Labor is asking for public feedback on a cleanup program that helps keep coal mines safe by managing coal dust and other flammable materials. Mine operators must create and update written cleanup plans to fix safety problems and avoid violations. Comments are open until January 7, 2026, and this process aims to make mines safer without adding too much paperwork or cost.
Analyzed Economic Effects
2 provisions identified: 0 benefits, 2 costs, 0 mixed.
Mine Operators Must Keep Written Cleanup Plans
If you operate a coal mine, you must create and maintain a written cleanup program for each mine in the underground mine file at the appropriate District Office. The Department of Labor estimates this information collection covers 146 respondents, 132 responses, and a total annual time burden of 197 hours; OMB Control Number 1219-0151 and DOL seeks authorization for three years. Comments on this collection are due January 7, 2026.
Cleanup Plans Used to Abate Violations
The cleanup program will be used as a tool to abate significant or persistent accumulations of coal dust, loose coal, and other combustibles. The Agency will use cleanup program revisions to address hazards, and mine operators will need to show compliance with the cleanup program in order to abate violations.
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