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ISSUE DATE: October 1, 2009 PROGRAM INFORMATION BULLETIN NO. P09-36 FROM: LINDA F. ZEILER  Acting Director of Technical Support KEVIN G. STRICKLIN  Administrator for Coal Mine Safety and Health NEAL H. MERRIFIELD  Acting Administrator for Metal and Nonmetal Mine Safety and Health SUBJECT: Re-Issue of P05-05 - Use of Magnets near Remote Control Operated Equipment Who needs this information? Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) enforcement personnel, underground mine operators, electrical equipment manufacturers, repair shops and independent contractors working at underground mines need this information. Why is MSHA issuing this bulletin? An incident was reported in which a magnet caused a mining machine's remote control unit to induce an unintended movement of the machine. The magnet was rated with strength of 190 pounds pull and was typically used to attach a methane detector bracket to a continuous mining machine. This device, commonly referred to as the "Gizmo," permitted miners to take methane readings at the face areas of working places where extended cut mining was approved. Unintended movement of remote-controlled equipment can pose a significant hazard to personnel. In order to evaluate the extent of this hazard, a survey was conducted to determine the type of magnets used in underground coal mines that use remote-controlled equipment. The survey was limited to equipment where unintended movement would pose a hazard. The results of the survey indicate that there are various types of magnets used in close proximity to remote-controlled equipment in underground coal mines. These magnets vary in size, strength, and pole configuration. What needs to be done? Permanent magnets, except for small magnets (e.g. pocket screwdriver-type), should not be used on any equipment in the same mining section as remote control equipment using Hall-effect switches unless the remote control system complies with one of the following two conditions:
What is the background of this bulletin? Laboratory tests were conducted to determine the effect of magnets on the remote control systems from four manufacturers: Structured Mining models TXCM100 and TX942; Matric Ltd. Type TX3, Plastic Station, and Type TX1; Forced Potato Type U-XXX/L0KA01; and Cattron Model C01MCMJ-1. The results of the tests follow:
Federal Mine Safety and Health Act of 1977; 30 CFR §§ 75.520, 77.507, 57.12030. Who are the MSHA contact persons for this program information bulletin? Technical Support, Approval and Certification Center Kevin D. Dolinar, (304) 547-2014 E-mail: dolinar.kevin@dol.gov Coal Mine Safety and Health, Safety Division Salwa El-Bassioni, (202) 693-9525 E-mail: el-bassioni-salwa@dol.gov Metal and Nonmetal Mine Safety and Health Safety and Health Division William W. Wilson, (202) 693-9640 E-mail: wilson.william@dol.gov Is this program information bulletin available on the Internet? This bulletin may be viewed on the World Wide Web by accessing the MSHA home page (http://www.msha.gov) and choosing "Compliance Info" and "Program Information Bulletins." Who will receive the program information bulletin? MSHA Program Policy Holders Underground Mine Operators Electrical Equipment Manufacturers Repair and Rebuild Facilities Underground Independent Contractors Special Interest Groups Miners' Representatives  |
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