MSHA Continues Mine Rescue Team Reporting Obligations
Published Date: 1/26/2026
Notice
Summary
The Mine Safety and Health Administration wants to keep collecting info about mine rescue teams and emergency medical plans to keep miners safe. This affects mine operators who must keep up with reporting and posting rules, but no big changes or extra costs are expected. You’ve got until March 27, 2026, to share your thoughts on this paperwork extension!
Analyzed Economic Effects
6 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 5 costs, 0 mixed.
Requirement: Two Rescue Teams or Equivalent
Underground mine operators must establish at least two mine rescue teams available whenever miners are underground, or enter into arrangements that assure at least two teams are available. Each team must consist of five members and one alternate (anthracite coal mines may have at least three members plus one alternate).
Training and Medical Fitness Rules for Team Members
Mine rescue team members must complete an initial 20-hour course before serving. MNM team members require at least 40 hours of annual refresher training (at least 4 hours monthly or 8 hours every two months); coal mine team members require at least 96 hours of annual refresher training (at least 8 hours every two months). Each team member must have an annual physician exam certifying fitness; the first exam must be within 60 days prior to initial training, and MSHA Form 5000-3 must be kept on file for one year.
Equipment, Inspection, and Recordkeeping Standards
Mine rescue stations must provide specified equipment, including at least 12 self-contained breathing apparatus with a minimum of 4 hours capacity, and maintain apparatus readiness. A trained person must inspect and test breathing apparatus at intervals not exceeding 30 days, sign and date certifications, record corrective actions, and retain these records at the rescue station for one year.
Paperwork Collection Extended Without Change
MSHA proposes to extend, without change, the information collection covering mine rescue teams and emergency medical/transportation arrangements. The notice states there are 1,369 annual respondents, 37,236 annual responses, a total annual time burden of 6,186 hours, and annual recordkeeping costs of $984; comments are due by March 27, 2026.
Small/Remote Mines May Seek Alternative Compliance
Operators of small and remote mines may apply to MSHA for alternative mine rescue capability: for MNM mines, consideration is available where total underground employment within 2 hours' ground travel time is less than 36; for coal mines, where total underground employment within 1 hour's ground travel time is less than 36. Applications must be submitted to the District Manager and posted at the mine; approved plans must be posted with MSHA emergency telephone numbers.
Reporting and Posting Obligations for Operators
Operators must send District Managers statements describing compliance methods, post copies at the mine, provide copies to designated miners' representatives, notify the District Manager within 60 days of changes in team membership, report the names/addresses of medical or ambulance services used, report changes within 10 days, and post contact names/telephone numbers immediately after arranging services or changes.
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