Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) - Emergency Mine Evacuation - Emergency Temporary Standard;

DEPARTMENT OF LABOR Mine Safety and Health Administration 30 CFR Parts 48, 50, 75 RIN 1219-AB46 Emergency Mine Evacuation AGENCY: Mine Safety and Health Administration, Labor. ACTION: Emergency Temporary Standard; Notice of public hearings; Notice of close of comment period. SUMMARY: The Mine Safety and Health Administration is issuing an emergency temporary standard under section 101(b) of the Federal Mine Safety and Health Act of 1977 in response to the grave danger which miners are exposed to during underground coal mine accidents and subsequent evacuations. The January 2006 mine accidents and fatalities demonstrate the need for the Mine Safety and Health Administration to take additional action that protects miners from the grave danger that they face when they must evacuate a mine after an emergency occurs. This emergency temporary standard includes requirements for immediate accident notification applicable to all underground and surface mines. In addition, this ETS addresses self-contained self-rescuer storage and use; evacuation training; and the installation and maintenance of lifelines in underground coal mines. 1 DATES: This emergency temporary standard is effective immediately upon publication. The public hearings will be held on April 11, 2006, April 24, 2006, April 26, 2006, and April 28, 2006 at the locations listed in the Public Hearings section below under ...