# 2026-12796: Coal Mines Retire the Flame Lamp for Electric Lights and Detectors

2026-12796, Improving and Eliminating Regulations; Use of Permissible Flame Safety Lamps in Underground Coal Mines, is a Federal Register rule from Labor Department, Mine Safety and Health Administration published 2026-06-25, effective 2026-07-27; PRIA reads it as touching household money (as of 2026-10-28).

- Canonical: https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-12796
- As of: 2026-10-28
- Plain-text twin of the page above; the HTML and this file carry the same facts.

## Facts
- Document number: 2026-12796
- Title: Improving and Eliminating Regulations; Use of Permissible Flame Safety Lamps in Underground Coal Mines
- Type: Rule
- Agencies: Labor Department; Mine Safety and Health Administration
- Citation: 91 FR 38284
- Published: 2026-06-25
- Effective: 2026-07-27
- Comments close: not stated
- Significant: no
- Touches household money: yes
- Regulation identifier numbers: 1219-AC04
- Last updated: 2026-10-28

## In one line

Coal Mines Retire the Flame Lamp for Electric Lights and Detectors

## Summary

Starting July 27, 2026, underground coal mines will no longer be allowed to use old-fashioned flame safety lamps because they’re outdated and replaced by better electric lamps and gas detectors. This change affects miners and mine operators by simplifying safety rules without adding costs. It’s a smart cleanup that keeps mining safe and modern!

## Abstract

MSHA is removing flame safety lamps from the list of permissible electric face equipment that can be operated in underground coal mines. This provision is being removed from MSHA's regulations because flame safety lamps are an outdated technology that is no longer used in underground coal mines.

## Effects PRIA read

- Flame Lamps Removed from Permissible Equipment: benefit, low. If you work in or run an underground coal mine, flame safety lamps will be removed from the list of permissible electric face equipment in 30 CFR 75.506(d)(4) effective July 27, 2026. MSHA amended Sec. 75.506 by removing and reserving paragraph (d)(4).
- No New Costs; Safety Maintained with Modern Gear: benefit, low. MSHA states removing flame safety lamps will not impose new costs on underground coal mine operators because flame safety lamps are no longer used and have been replaced by electric cap lamps and portable methane and multi-gas detectors and monitors. The Agency says this change will streamline requ…

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## Sources
- [2026-12796 on federalregister.gov](https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2026/06/25/2026-12796/improving-and-eliminating-regulations-use-of-permissible-flame-safety-lamps-in-underground-coal)
- [2026-12796 as published (PDF)](https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/FR-2026-06-25/pdf/2026-12796.pdf)

## Related
- [Previous: 2026-12793, Improving and Eliminating Regulations; Approved Conveyor Belts in Underground C…](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-12793)
- [Next: 2026-12797, Improving and Eliminating Regulations; Blacksmith Shops](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-12797)
- [All Federal Register documents](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register)

Source: PRIA, https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-12796 (as of 2026-10-28).