Petition for Modification of Main Mine Fan Examination Standard by Knight Hawk Coal LLC
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The Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) published a notice on April 3, 2026, summarizing a petition from Knight Hawk Coal, LLC for the Prairie Eagle Underground Mine in Perry County, Illinois (MSHA ID 11-03147). The petition seeks modification of 30 CFR 75.312(c), which requires testing the automatic fan signal device every 31 days by stopping the main mine fan, potentially evacuating miners and deenergizing power if not restarted within 15 minutes. Knight Hawk proposes an alternative using a pressure transducer that monitors fan pressure continuously. They will install lockable ball valves to simulate pressure drop without stopping the fan: close the valve to fan ductwork, open to atmosphere, triggering the alarm if pressure falls 2 inches water gauge (W.G.) below normal, mimicking fan failure. Full fan-stop tests per the standard will occur every 6 months. This method aligns with a prior MSHA approval (Docket M-2015-017-C). The petition was posted at the mine on January 7, 2026; miners are unrepresented. Comments are due by May 4, 2026, via regulations.gov (Docket MSHA-2026-0103) or other specified methods. MSHA will evaluate if the alternative guarantees equal or better miner safety under Section 101(c) of the Mine Act.
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Key Changes
- Test automatic fan signal every 31 days without stopping fan, using valves to simulate 2" W.G. pressure drop.
- Full fan-stop test required every 6 months per 30 CFR 75.312(c).
- Alarm activates on pressure fall below normal by 2" W.G.
+ 3 more changes with Pro
Obligations
What this law requires
Submit all comments on the petition to MSHA's Office of Standards, Regulations, and Variances on or before May 4, 2026
Post the petition at the mine location and ensure miners have notice of the modification request
Install lockable ball valves in the tubing connecting the pressure transducer to the fan ductwork and to the atmosphere as part of the alternative testing method
Conduct automatic fan signal device testing at least every 31 days using the alternative method of closing the valve to fan ductwork and opening the valve to atmosphere to trigger the alarm
Perform a full fan-stop signal check per 30 CFR 75.312(c) at intervals not to exceed 6 months