View Rule

View EO 12866 Meetings

Printer-Friendly Version Download RIN Data in XML

DOL/MSHA

RIN: 1219-AA76

Publication ID: Spring 2002

Title: Belt Entry Use as Intake Aircourse To Ventilate Working Sections
Abstract: Currently, mine operators must apply to MSHA for a modification of the existing regulations if they want to use belt entries for ventilation purposes. MSHA's current regulations prohibit belt entries from being used to ventilate areas where coal is being mined. The intent was to prevent smoke from a conveyor belt fire from traveling to a miner's workplace. Improved technology, including sophisticated monitoring devices, such as atmospheric monitoring systems (AMS), makes it possible to use belt entries safely to ventilate these areas in mines, provided certain conditions are met. An AMS is a network consisting of hardware and software capable of measuring atmospheric parameters, such as carbon monoxide and oxygen concentrations; transmitting these measurements to the surface; providing local and remote alarms; manipulating and cataloging atmospheric data; and providing reports.
Agency: Department of Labor(DOL)	Priority: Other Significant
RIN Status: Previously published in the Unified Agenda	Agenda Stage of Rulemaking: Proposed Rule Stage
Major: No	Unfunded Mandates: No
CFR Citation: 30 CFR 75 30 CFR 12 30 CFR 48
Legal Authority: 30 USC 811 30 USC 957 30 USC 961

Legal Deadline: None

Timetable:

Action	Date	FR Cite
NPRM	09/00/2002

Additional Information: In 1985 MSHA published a "pre-proposal" that included a belt air provision as part of the revisions to the ventilation regulations. In 1988, MSHA published a proposed rule that would have allowed belt air to ventilate the area where coal is being mined. Also in 1988, MSHA held six hearings to receive public comment on the proposed rule. Several thousand miners attended the hearings to voice their opposition to the belt air provision. As a result, in 1989 MSHA formed the Belt Air Ventilation Review Committee to review the use of belt air. The Committee concluded that the use of belt air could be allowed, provided environmental sensors are used to detect belt fires. Another hearing took place in 1990 to solicit further comment on the use of belt air. In 1991, the Secretary of Labor formed a Federal Advisory Committee on the use of belt air. MSHA published final ventilation rules in 1992 that omitted the use of belt air, deferring further action until the Advisory Committee recommendations were completed. In December 1992, the Advisory Committee published a report that concluded that belt air can be used to safely ventilate areas where coal is being mined, provided certain conditions are met.
Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes	Government Levels Affected: None
Small Entities Affected: Businesses	Federalism: No
Included in the Regulatory Plan: No
Agency Contact: Marvin W. Nichols Jr. Director, Office of Standards Department of Labor Mine Safety and Health Administration Room 2352, 1100 Wilson Boulevard, Room 2350, Arlington, VA 22209 Phone:202 693-9440 Fax:202 693-9441 Email: nichols-marvin@dol.gov