Mine Operator Requests Standard Safety Exemption
Published Date: 6/24/2026
Notice
Summary
Iron Cumberland, LLC wants to change some safety rules at their mine to use a different method that keeps workers just as safe. They’ve asked the Mine Safety and Health Administration to review their plan, and everyone has until July 24, 2026, to share their thoughts. If approved, this could mean safer or more efficient work without extra costs or delays.
Analyzed Economic Effects
3 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 1 costs, 0 mixed.
Mine may mine inside 300-ft well barriers
If MSHA approves the petition, Iron Cumberland could mine within the 300-foot diameter safety barrier around six Daddy Long Legs Marcellus gas wells at the Cumberland Mine in Greene County, Pennsylvania. The request covers six specific wells (API #37-059-26887(1H) through #37-059-26892(11H)) and applies to all types of underground coal mining at that mine. Comments on the petition must be received by July 24, 2026.
Detailed well-plugging and testing rules
The petitioned alternative would require detailed cleaning, testing, and plugging steps before mining within the 300-foot barrier: a diligent attempt to remove casing (minimum 150% of casing string weight or at least three spear attempts), perforations at least every 50 feet from 400 feet below the coal seam to 100 feet above, placement of a mechanical bridge plug at least 400 feet below the base of the lowest mineable coal seam, and placement of a minimum of 400 feet of expanding cement below the coal seam with cement pumped at a pressure of at least 200 pounds per square inch. The operator must keep logs and records (caliper, bond, deviation, gamma surveys, invoices) and provide them to the District Manager or MSHA upon request.
Mandatory safety checks and miner training
The petition requires safety procedures and training for miners before and during well intersections, including handheld methane tests at least every 10 minutes when the face is within 30 feet of the well, calibration of methane monitors on the shift prior to intersection, no open flames until methane is below 1.0 percent, and that miners be trained on the MSHA Proposed Decision and Order and on revised emergency evacuation and firefighting plans. Proposed training-plan revisions must be submitted within 30 days after the PDO becomes final, and miners must be trained before mining within 150 feet of the well.
Personalized for You
How does this regulation affect your finances?
Personalize government policy and PRIA will tell you what this federal register document means for your household, plus every other regulation we track. PRIA reads each provision against your financial profile to show you exactly what matters to your wallet.
Key Dates
Department and Agencies
Related Federal Register Documents
2026-15717, Ventilation Plan Approval Criteria
In response to a public request, the Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) is reopening the rulemaking record and is scheduling a virtual public hearing on the Agency's proposed rule published on July 1, 2025, titled, "Ventilation Plan Approval Criteria."
2026-15670, Roof Control Plan Approval Criteria
In response to a public request, the Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) is reopening the rulemaking record and is scheduling a virtual public hearing on the Agency's proposed rule published on July 1, 2025, titled, "Roof Control Plan Approval Criteria."
2026-10456, Department of Labor Federal Civil Penalties Inflation Adjustment Act Annual Adjustments for 2026
Good news for businesses and workers: the Department of Labor won’t raise any fines or penalties in 2026 because the usual inflation data wasn’t available. This means all civil penalties stay the same starting May 27, 2026. So, no surprise cost hikes this year—just steady rules and steady fees!
2026-15141, Proposed Extension of Information Collection: Safety Program for Surface Mobile Equipment
The Mine Safety and Health Administration wants to keep collecting info about safety programs for surface mobile equipment used in mines. This helps make sure workers stay safe while keeping paperwork easy and clear. If you’re involved with mining equipment, you can share your thoughts by September 25, 2026—no extra costs or big changes are planned right now.
2026-15139, Proposed Extension of Information Collection: Safety Standards for Underground Coal Mine Ventilation-Belt Entry Used as an Intake Air Course To Ventilate Working Sections and Areas Where Mechanized Mining Equipment Is Being Installed or Removed
The Mine Safety and Health Administration wants to keep collecting info on how underground coal mines use belt entries for fresh air while installing or removing mining gear. This helps keep miners safe by making sure ventilation rules are followed. If you’re involved in coal mining, you can share your thoughts by September 25, 2026, with no new costs or big changes planned.
2026-15140, Proposed Extension of Information Collection: Sealing of Abandoned Areas
The Mine Safety and Health Administration wants to keep collecting info about sealing off abandoned mine areas to keep miners safe. They’re asking for public feedback by September 25, 2026, to make sure the process is clear and not too much work. This extension won’t add extra costs but helps keep safety rules up to date for everyone involved in mining.
Previous / Next Documents
Previous: 2026-12661, Petition for Modification of Application of Existing Mandatory Safety Standards
Fossil Rock Resources, LLC asked to change some mine safety rules to use a different method that keeps miners just as safe. This affects their Fossil Rock Mine and could change how safety checks are done, possibly saving time or money. Everyone has until July 24, 2026, to share their thoughts before a decision is made.
Next: 2026-12663, Petition for Modification of Application of Existing Mandatory Safety Standards
Sally Ann Coal Company wants to change some safety rules at their mine to use a different method that keeps workers just as safe. This petition affects miners at their coal mine and asks for approval by July 24, 2026. If approved, the company might save money or time while still protecting miners effectively.