Petition for Modification of Application of Existing Mandatory Safety Standards for Underground Coal Mine Respirator Use
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The Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) published a notice regarding a petition filed by Marfork Coal Company, LLC for its Glen Alum Tunnel Mine in West Virginia. The company is seeking a modification to 30 CFR 75.500(d), which requires permissible electric equipment in underground coal mines. Specifically, they want approval to use the 3M Versaflow TR-800-HIK Intrinsically Safe Powered Air Purifying Respirator (PAPR) in areas inby the last open crosscut, even though it lacks full MSHA permissibility approval. The petitioner argues that strict application of the standard would diminish miner safety by denying them access to superior respiratory protection and comfort in warm environments. The petition outlines extensive alternative safety measures including specialized training, pre-use inspections, methane monitoring, weekly equipment logs, lithium battery handling protocols, and restrictions on use when methane reaches 1.0% or higher.
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Key Changes
- Modification to 30 CFR 75.500(d) to allow use of non-MSHA-approved 3M Versaflow TR-800-HIK PAPR inby last open crosscut
- Methane threshold of 1.0% requires immediate de-energization and withdrawal of PAPR equipment
- Weekly examinations by qualified person per 30 CFR 75.512-1 with results recorded in dedicated logbook
+ 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, using one of the specified submission methods (Federal eRulemaking Portal, fax, email, or regular mail)
Train all affected mine employees in proper use and maintenance of the 3M Versaflow TR-800 PAPR in accordance with manufacturer guidelines, including instruction that the PAPR must be de-energized when methane reaches 1.0% or higher and proper de-energization methods
Inspect the PAPR, battery pack, and all associated wiring and connections before each use to determine if any damage would negatively impact intrinsic safety; remove equipment from service if defects are found
Maintain a separate logbook for the 3M Versaflow TR-800 PAPR kept with the equipment or with other mine record books, and make it available to MSHA upon request
Examine the PAPR equipment at least weekly by a qualified person as defined in 30 CFR 75.512-1 and record examination results in the logbook