Pennsylvania Mine Petitions for Safer, Cheaper Safety Alternatives
Published Date: 1/12/2026
Notice
Summary
Consol Pennsylvania Coal Company wants to change some safety rules for their mine to use a different method that keeps miners just as safe. This petition affects miners at their Pennsylvania site and asks for approval by February 11, 2026. If approved, the company might save time or money while still protecting workers.
Analyzed Economic Effects
2 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.
Required Safety Controls for Non‑Permissible Use
The petition would let non-permissible electronic testing equipment be used only under specific safety steps at the Harvey Mine. Those steps include examination by a qualified person before use, continuous methane monitoring immediately before and during use, stopping use and de‑energizing equipment if methane reaches 1% or higher, using MSHA‑approved hand‑held methane detectors, liberal rock dusting where testing occurs, ceasing coal production except as needed to troubleshoot, training miners on the petition terms, and posting the petition for at least 60 consecutive days.
Allow Specific Non‑Permissible Battery Tools
Consol Pennsylvania Coal Company asked MSHA to let workers use certain battery-powered, non-permissible testing and diagnostic devices in or inby the last open crosscut at the Harvey Mine in Greene County, Pennsylvania. The petition specifically lists vibration analyzers (Emerson AMS 2140; Bentley Nevada vb7, Scout 100 EX, Commtest Scout 140, VBX and Scout Unit) and also covers laptops, oscilloscopes, cable fault detectors, temperature probes, infrared devices, ultrasonic devices, electronic testers and tachometers. The company says allowing these devices could save time or money while testing and diagnosing equipment that cannot be moved outby the face area.
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Consol Pennsylvania Coal Company asked to change some mine safety rules to use a different method that keeps miners just as safe. This change could affect how safety standards apply at their mines, and everyone has until February 11, 2026, to share their thoughts. The goal? Keep miners safe while possibly making safety checks easier or more efficient, without extra costs.