MSHA Announces Monitors Proposed Rule Hearing
The Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) and the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) will hold a public hearing on the proposed rule to revise existing requirements to approve sampling devices that monitor miner exposure to respirable coal mine dust. The public hearing will begin at 9 a.m. EST, on July 8, 2009, at the Mine Safety and Health Administration, 1100 Wilson Boulevard, 25th Floor Conference Room, Arlington, Va.
The proposal would establish criteria for the approval of a new type of technology, the "continuous personal dust monitor" (CPDM), which would be worn by the miner and would report exposure to dust levels continuously during the shift.
In addition, the proposal would update application requirements for the existing "coal mine dust personal sampler unit" (CMDPSU) to reflect improvements in this sampler over the past 15 years.
This rulemaking is limited to approval requirements and does not address requirements concerning how sampling devices must be used to determine compliance, e.g., who, when, and how often to sample. Those requirements are addressed in existing 30 CFR parts 70, 71, and 90. MSHA is also clarifying its intent that the text in proposed Sec. 74.7(f)(2) be accordance with the specific test defined in IEC 61000-4-6.
For more information, go to www.msha.gov.