MSHA Proposed Rule
Technical Amendments; Removal of Unnecessary Regulations [08/30/1996]
[PDF Version]
Mine Safety and Health Administration
30 CFR Parts 21, 24, and 75
RIN 1219-AA98
Technical Amendments; Removal of Unnecessary Regulations
AGENCY: Mine Safety and Health Administration, Labor .
ACTION: Proposed rule; technical amendments.
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SUMMARY: The Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) is proposing
to remove approval regulations on flame safety lamps and single-shot
blasting units which have become obsolete because of advances in
technology. Removal of these obsolete parts would not reduce protection
for miners. This proposal also would make conforming amendments to
safety regulations for underground coal mines which require the use of
this approved equipment.
DATES: Submit written comments on or before November 29, 1996.
ADDRESSES: Send comments to Patricia W. Silvey, Director, Office of
Standards, Regulations, and Variances, MSHA, 4015 Wilson Boulevard,
Room 631, Arlington, VA 22203. Commenters are encouraged to send
comments on a computer disk or via e-mail to psilvey@msha.gov along
with an original printed copy.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Patricia W. Silvey, Director, Office of Standards, Regulations, and
Variances, MSHA, 703-235-1910 (voice), 703-235-5551 (facsimile),
psilvey@msha.gov (Internet e-mail).
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
I. Purpose
In response to the Administration's regulatory reinvention
initiative, MSHA has conducted a page-by-page review of its existing
regulations to identify provisions that are obsolete, outdated,
redundant, or unnecessary. As part of this review, the Agency has
identified two regulations that could be removed immediately without
any adverse effect on miner safety and health. These regulations are
obsolete. Conforming amendments to other 30 CFR parts would be made, as
appropriate. Equipment approved by MSHA under parts being proposed for
elimination can continue to be manufactured by the approval-holder and
distributed for use in mines, as long as they continue to be
manufactured in full compliance with the drawings and specifications
upon which the approval was based. No changes in approved devices can
be made once the 30 CFR parts being proposed for elimination are
deleted.
For the reasons discussed below, the Agency is proposing to remove
30 CFR parts 21 and 24. MSHA specifically solicits comments on the
impact of this action both on the mining community and on other
government agencies if they reference these parts of 30 CFR.
II. Discussion
A. Part 21--Flame Safety Lamps
Part 21 addresses the requirements for approval of flame safety
lamps used to detect oxygen deficiency and methane in mine atmospheres.
Part 21 repeats the requirements for approval of flame safety lamps
from Bureau of Mines' Schedule 7C, dated August 30, 1935. Advances in
technology have produced oxygen and methane detecting devices which are
more accurate and reliable than flame safety lamps. As a result,
methane and oxygen detectors have replaced flame safety lamps as the
required source for detecting these gases in mines. As required by 30
CFR 75.320, methane and oxygen detectors approved by MSHA must be used
to make these tests and a permissible flame safety lamp may continue to
be used only as a supplemental testing device for oxygen deficiency.
These MSHA-approved flame safety lamps can continue to be manufactured
by the approval-holder and distributed for use in mines, as long as
they continue to be manufactured in full compliance with the drawings
and specifications upon which the approval was based and there are no
changes in the approved devices. Further, there have been no new
applications for approval of flame safety lamps for more than 40 years.
For these reasons, MSHA has determined that the approval requirements
for flame safety lamps are obsolete and unnecessary and, therefore, is
proposing to remove this part.
B. Part 24--Single-Shot Blasting Units
Part 24 addresses the requirements for approval of single-shot
blasting units used in mines, especially mines that can contain methane
or flammable dust in dangerous concentrations. Part 24 repeats the
requirements for approval of single-shot blasting units from Bureau of
Mines' Schedule 12D, dated November 27, 1945. Advances in technology
have produced multiple-shot blasting units
[[Page 45926]]
which are safer, more versatile, and more reliable than single-shot
blasting units. Multiple-shot blasting units can be used to fire single
shots. As a result, single-shot blasting units are rarely used in
underground mines. The approval requirements for single-shot blasting
units have been replaced by part 7, subpart D, Multiple-Shot Blasting
Units. MSHA-approved single-shot blasting units can continue to be
manufactured by the approval-holder and distributed for use in mines,
as long as they continue to be manufactured in full compliance with the
drawings and specifications upon which the approval was based and there
are no changes in the approved devices. Further, no new applications
for approval of a single-shot blasting unit have been submitted in 25
years. For these reasons, MSHA has determined that the requirements for
approval of single-shot blasting units are obsolete and unnecessary
and, therefore, is proposing to remove this part.
List of Subjects
30 CFR Part 21
Mine safety and health.
30 CFR Part 24
Explosives, Mine safety and health.
30 CFR Part 75
Mine safety and health, Underground mining.
Dated: August 23, 1996.
J. Davitt McAteer,
Assistant Secretary for Mine Safety and Health.
For the reasons set out in the preamble, and under the authority of
30 U.S.C. 957 and 961, title 30, chapter I, of the Code of Federal
Regulations is amended as set forth below:
PART 21--FLAME SAFETY LAMP APPROVAL [REMOVED]
1. Part 21 is removed.
PART 24--SINGLE-SHOT BLASTING UNITS [REMOVED]
2. Part 24 is removed.
PART 75--MANDATORY SAFETY STANDARDS--UNDERGROUND COAL MINES
3. The authority citation for part 75 continues to read as follows:
Authority: 30 U.S.C. 811.
4. Section 75.506 is amended by revising paragraph (d) to read as
follows:
Sec. 75.506 Electric face equipment; requirements for permissibility.
* * * * *
(d) The following equipment will be permissible electric face
equipment only if it is approved under the appropriate Bureau of Mines
schedules or parts of this chapter, as listed here, and it is in
permissible condition.
(1) Multiple Shot Blasting Units, part 7 subpart D (Schedule 16E
and part 25);
(2) Electric Cap Lamps, part 19 (Schedule 6D);
(3) Electric Mine Lamps Other than Standard Cap Lamps, part 20
(Schedule 10C);
(4) Flame Safety Lamps (Schedule 7C and part 21);
(5) Portable Methane Detectors, part 22 (Schedule 8C);
(6) Telephone and Signaling Devices, part 23 (Schedule 9B);
(7) Single Shot Blasting Units (Schedule 12D and part 24);
(8) Lighting Equipment for Illuminating Underground Workings, part
26 (Schedule 29A); and
(9) Methane-Monitoring Systems, part 27 (Schedule 32A).
[FR Doc. 96-22078 Filed 8-29-96; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4510-43-M
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