MSHA Sets Public Hearing on Powered Respirator Use in Gassy Underground Mines
The agency also reopened comments on its 2025 proposal through Dec. 8 after receiving a request for a hearing during the original comment window.
- By Danielle Naidu
- Oct 19, 2026
Underground miners could use nonpermissible powered air-purifying respirators (PAPRs) in certain parts of gassy mines under a Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) proposal that goes before a virtual public hearing Nov. 17.
MSHA announced the hearing in an Oct. 16 Federal Register notice and reopened the rulemaking record for new written comments.
The proposal would allow PAPRs that MSHA has not evaluated and approved under 30 CFR Part 18 to be used in those areas. It would also set requirements for how the respirators are built and maintained, and for the mine conditions in which they could be worn.
Written comments, including post-hearing submissions, must arrive or be postmarked by 11:59 p.m. Eastern time Dec. 8. They can be filed at regulations.gov under Docket No. MSHA-2025-0089. Commenters who already weighed in on the proposal don't need to file again, and those comments will be fully considered.
Anyone who wants to speak at the hearing should register online by 11:59 p.m. Eastern time Nov. 13. Unregistered speakers will be called after everyone who signed up.
MSHA first published the proposal July 1, 2025. Its 30-day comment period was extended by another 30 days and closed Sept. 2, 2025. The hearing request came in during that window.
About the Author
Danielle Naidu is assistant editor for Occupational Health & Safety and Environmental Protection Online.