Emergency Mine Evacuation

AGENCY:

Mine Safety and Health Administration, Labor.

ACTION:

Notice of SCSR availability.

SUMMARY:

This notice informs the mining community of the availability of realistic self-contained self-rescue (SCSR) training units to conduct annual SCSR expectations training.

DATES:

Underground coal mine operators must have a purchase order for realistic SCSR training units by April 30, 2007 and conduct this component of expectations training within 60 days of receipt of the units.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Patricia W. Silvey, Director, Office of Standards, Regulations, and Variances, MSHA, 1100 Wilson Boulevard, Room 2350, Arlington, Virginia 22209-3939. Ms. Silvey can be reached at 202-693-9440 (voice), 202-693-9441 (facsimile), or silvey.patricia@dol.gov (Internet e-mail).

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

On December 8, 2006, the Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) published a final rule on Emergency Mine Evacuation. The majority of the requirements applied to underground coal mines. [71 FR 71430] Section 75.1504(c) of the final rule is a new provision that requires underground coal mine operators to provide annual SCSR expectations training to miners. Expectations training requires the miner to breathe through a realistic SCSR training unit or an equivalent device that provides the sensation of airflow resistance and heat that the miner would experience when using an SCSR during an emergency.

When the final rule was published, realistic SCSR training units were not available. MSHA did not require compliance with expectations training until the training units became available. MSHA also stated that the Agency would notify mine operators of the availability of the training units by publishing a notice in the Federal Register.

MSHA has determined that realistic SCSR training units are now available. These units are now manufactured by CSE, Ocenco, and Draeger. Mine operators can purchase these units directly from the manufacturers at the addresses below: