Powered Air Purifying Respirators in Underground Mines
Summary
The Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) is proposing new rules about powered air purifying respirators—special masks with battery-powered fans that filter air—used by workers in underground mines. These rules would set safety standards for how these devices must work to protect miners from breathing in harmful dust and gases.
Key Points
- 1This rule establishes safety requirements for powered air purifying respirators (PAPRs) used specifically in underground mining operations
- 2The regulation affects underground coal and metal miners who wear these protective breathing devices as part of their job safety equipment
- 3The comment deadline has already passed (July 2, 2025), meaning the public had a chance to submit feedback on the proposed rule
- 4MSHA will review public comments and feedback before deciding whether to finalize, modify, or reject the proposed regulation
- 5Once finalized, the rule would require mining companies to follow new standards when providing and maintaining these respirators for worker protection
Key Dates
July 22, 2025
This summary is for informational purposes only. It may not capture all nuances of the regulation. Always refer to the official text for authoritative information.
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