MSHA Suspends Coal Mine Seal's Approval
Kevin G. Stricklin, administrator for coal mine safety and health, and George M. Fesak, director of technical support, issued the temporary suspension March 18.
The Mine Safety and Health Administration has temporarily suspended its approval of a type of seal used in underground coal mines. Kevin G. Stricklin, administrator for coal mine safety and health, and George M. Fesak, director of technical support, issued the temporary suspension bulletin on March 18.
The seal in question is the 50 psi Minova Gob Isolation Tekseal design. The bulletin, which is posted at www.msha.gov, informs the industry to increase inspections of newly constructed Minova seals immediately. Mine operators also should stop construction of these seals immediately, it states.
Minova requested the suspension after tests found some installed seals were deficient, according to the bulletin.