# 2026-00352: Copper Mine Seeks Modification to Existing Safety Standards

2026-00352, Petition for Modification of Application of Existing Mandatory Safety Standards, is a Federal Register notice from Labor Department, Mine Safety and Health Administration published 2026-01-12, effective All comments on the petition must be received by MSHA's Office of Standards, Regulations, and Variances on or before February 11, 2026. (as of 2026-06-08).

- Canonical: https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-00352
- As of: 2026-06-08
- Plain-text twin of the page above; the HTML and this file carry the same facts.

## Facts
- Document number: 2026-00352
- Title: Petition for Modification of Application of Existing Mandatory Safety Standards
- Type: Notice
- Agencies: Labor Department; Mine Safety and Health Administration
- Citation: 91 FR 1205
- Published: 2026-01-12
- Effective: All comments on the petition must be received by MSHA's Office of Standards, Regulations, and Variances on or before February 11, 2026.
- Comments close: 2026-02-11
- Significant: no
- Touches household money: no
- Regulation identifier numbers: none
- Last updated: 2026-06-08

## In one line

Copper Mine Seeks Modification to Existing Safety Standards

## Summary

Kennecott Utah Copper LLC asked to change some mine safety rules to use a different method that keeps miners just as safe. This change could affect how safety is managed at their mine and might save time or money. Everyone has until February 11, 2026, to share their thoughts on this petition.

## Abstract

This notice is a summary of a petition for modification submitted to the Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) by Kennecott Utah Copper LLC.

## Effects PRIA read

- Allow Bottled Water in Refuge Areas: benefit, low. Kennecott asked MSHA to allow commercially purchased sealed drinking water in refuge areas instead of providing potable water through waterlines, as required by 30 CFR 57.11052(d). The request applies to the Kennecott Keystone Underground mine in Salt Lake County, Utah, which the petition describes…
- 36-Hour Bottled Water Requirement: mixed, high. The petition’s alternative would require maintaining a minimum of 4.5 liters of potable water per person in sealed individual portion-sized bottles in each refuge chamber to support maximum occupancy for at least 36 hours. The petitioner also requires that expiration dates be visible and that Kenne…
- Equipment, Inspections, and Training Rules: mixed, medium. The petition states refuge chambers are equipped with 36-hour battery backup, atmospheric monitoring and air purification systems, and MARCISORB CO2/CO absorber cartridges. It also proposes monthly inspections, manufacturer-trained and -certified maintenance personnel, and OEM servicing every 4 mon…

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## Sources
- [2026-00352 on federalregister.gov](https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2026/01/12/2026-00352/petition-for-modification-of-application-of-existing-mandatory-safety-standards)
- [2026-00352 as published (PDF)](https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/FR-2026-01-12/pdf/2026-00352.pdf)

## Related
- [Previous: 2026-00351, Petition for Modification of Application of Existing Mandatory Safety Standards](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-00351)
- [Next: 2026-00353, Petition for Modification of Application of Existing Mandatory Safety Standards](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-00353)
- [All Federal Register documents](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register)

Source: PRIA, https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-00352 (as of 2026-06-08).