MSHA Publishes Final Rule on Examinations in Underground Coal Mines

In today’s Federal Register, MSHA has published the final rule, Examinations of Work Areas in Underground Coal Mines for Violations of Mandatory Health or Safety Standards. The rule requires mine operators to identify and correct hazardous conditions and violations of nine safety and health standards that address ventilation, methane, roof control, combustible materials, rock dust, equipment guarding and other safeguards. In addition to examining for hazardous conditions as in the existing regulations, the rule requires mine operators to record the actions taken to correct conditions and violations.