The Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) held public meetings to obtain information that will help MSHA evaluate the following five issues: number one, whether to lower our asbestos permissible exposure limit; two, whether we should replace our existing fiber analysis method, referred to as phase-contrast microscopy, with a more sensitive method, which is transmission electron microscopy; number three, whether we should implement safeguards to limit take-home exposure; number four, whether our field sampling methods are adequate and how are sampling results are being used; and number five, what is the likely benefit and cost impact of any rulemaking action we would take on these five issues. These are the transcripts of those meetings.

The Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) held a public meeting to gather ideas and suggestions from the mining community on the current state of availability, quality and preparedness of mine rescue teams. The ideas and suggestions will be considered by MSHA in determining what actions can be taken to improve mine rescue capabilities.