Escapeways and Refuges in Underground Metal and Nonmetal Mines

• Published date: 27 May 2020
• Citation: 85 FR 31812
• Record Number: 2020-11300
• Section: Notices
• Court: Mine Safety And Health Administration

Federal Register, Volume 85 Issue 102 (Wednesday, May 27, 2020)

[Federal Register Volume 85, Number 102 (Wednesday, May 27, 2020)]
                [Notices]
                [Page 31812]
                From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
                [FR Doc No: 2020-11300]
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                DEPARTMENT OF LABOR
                Mine Safety and Health Administration
                [Docket No. MSHA-2018-0015]
                Escapeways and Refuges in Underground Metal and Nonmetal Mines
                AGENCY: Mine Safety and Health Administration, Labor.
                ACTION: Notice of cancellation; Program Policy Letter.
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                SUMMARY: The Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) cancels a
                Program Policy Letter (PPL) that was issued on July 29, 2019 to provide
                guidance on escapeways and refuges used by underground metal and
                nonmetal miners in emergency situations.
                DATES: Cancellation as of May 27, 2020.
                ADDRESSES:
                 Federal Register Publications: Access rulemaking documents
                electronically at http://www.msha.gov/regsinfo.htm or http://www.regulations.gov [Docket Number: MSHA-2018-0015].
                 Email Notification: To subscribe to receive email notification when
                MSHA publishes rulemaking documents in the Federal Register, go to
                https://www.msha.gov/subscriptions.
                FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Roslyn B. Fontaine, Acting Director,
                Office of Standards, Regulations, and Variances, MSHA, at
                [email protected] (email), 202-693-9440 (voice), or 202-693-9441
                (fax). These are not toll-free numbers.
                SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
                Cancellation of Program Policy Letter
                 On July 29, 2019, MSHA published in the Federal Register a PPL to
                clarify requirements in 30 CFR 57.11050, Escapeways and Refuges,
                together with a request for public comment (84 FR 36623). The PPL was
                intended to assist MNM mine operators with guidance on the placement of
                escapeways and refuges that underground miners need to use in emergency
                situations. On October 10, 2019, MSHA also held a public stakeholder
                meeting to ensure that the public would have additional opportunities
                to provide feedback. After reviewing all the comments received during
                both the public comment period and the stakeholder meeting, MSHA has
                now determined that the clarification in this PPL is not needed.
                Therefore, MSHA cancels the PPL.
                (Authority: 30 U.S.C. 811)
                David G. Zatezalo,
                Assistant Secretary of Labor for Mine Safety and Health Administration.
                [FR Doc. 2020-11300 Filed 5-26-20; 8:45 am]
                BILLING CODE 4520-43-P