§846 Noise Standards; Promulgation of New Standards; Tests; Procedures; Protective Devices

Summary

From the operative date of the subchapter, the noise rules that were in effect on October 1, 1969 under chapter 65 of title 41 apply to every coal mine, and every mine operator must follow them. Within six months after December 30, 1969, the Secretary of Health and Human Services must publish proposed mandatory health standards that set maximum noise exposure levels for all underground coal mines. Starting six months after the operative date, and at least every six months after that, a qualified person must test mine noise in the way the Secretary of Health and Human Services requires, and the operator must report and certify those results to the Secretary and to the Secretary of Health and Human Services. Operators may not require miners to use any protective device or system, including personal devices, that the Secretary or an authorized representative finds to be hazardous or to create a hazard.