30 CFR § 49.7 Physical requirements for mine rescue team.
(a) Each member of a mine rescue team shall be examined annually by a
physician who shall certify that each person is physically fit to perform
mine rescue and recovery work for prolonged periods under strenuous
conditions. The first such physical examination shall be completed within 60
days prior to scheduled initial training. A team member requiring corrective
eyeglasses will not be disqualified provided the eyeglasses can be worn
securely within an approved facepiece.
(b) In determining whether a miner is physically capable of
performing mine rescue duties, the physician shall take the following
conditions into consideration:
(1) Seizure disorder;
(2) Perforated eardrum;
(3) Hearing loss without a hearing aid greater than 40
decibels at 400, 1,000 and 2,000 Hz;
(4) Repeated blood pressure (controlled or uncontrolled by
medication) reading which exceeds 160 systolic, or 100 diastolic, or which is
less than 105 systolic, or 60 diastolic;
(5) Distant visual acuity (without glasses) less than
20/50 Snellen scale in one eye, and 20/70 in the other;
(6) Heart disease;
(7) Hernia;
(8) Absence of a limb or hand; or
(9) Any other condition which the examining physician
determines is relevant to the question of whether the miner is fit for rescue
team service;
(c) The operator shall have MSHA Form 5000-3 certifying medical
fitness completed and signed by the examining physician for each member of a
mine rescue team. These forms shall be kept on file at the mine rescue
station for a period of one year.
