Coal Company Seeks Tweaks to Decades-Old Safety Rules
Published Date: 7/1/2026
Notice
Summary
Mettiki Coal WV, LLC asked to change some mine safety rules to use a different method that keeps miners just as safe. This affects miners at Mettiki Coal and could change how safety checks are done, but won’t cost extra or reduce protection. Everyone has until July 31, 2026, to share their thoughts on this petition.
Analyzed Economic Effects
1 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.
Allow non‑MSHA handheld radios
Mettiki Coal asked MSHA to allow the Kenwood Model NX-3200 handheld radio with the Kenwood KNB-79LC 7.4‑volt intrinsically safe battery to be used in return air outby the last open crosscut at the Mountain View Mine in Tucker County, WV, which employs about 85 miners. The request would let miners use those radios only under specified inspections, training, battery‑handling rules (including charging only in intake air outby the last open crosscut and having a fire extinguisher when charging) and the radios must not be used when methane is 1.0 percent or greater. MSHA is accepting comments on the petition through July 31, 2026.
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Mettiki Coal WV, LLC asked to change some mine safety rules to use a different way that’s just as safe for miners. This affects their coal mine operations and could change how they work without costing extra money. Everyone has until July 31, 2026, to share their thoughts on this petition.
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