Final Rule
On December 10, 2024, MSHA issued its final rule, Testing, Evaluation, and Approval of Electric Motor-Driven Mine Equipment and Accessories. This rule incorporates by reference eight voluntary consensus standards approved by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI). MSHA will accept these voluntary consensus standards as alternatives to the existing testing, evaluation, and approval requirements for electric motor-driven mine equipment and accessories. This final rule provides more flexibility to product designers and manufactures and will promote the use of innovative and advanced technologies at gassy mines, which will, in turn, lead to the improvements in mine safety and health.
MSHA published a notice of proposed rulemaking in 2020 and solicited public comments. After reviewing the comments, MSHA is now promulgating a final rule. Once the final rule takes effect on January 9, 2025, product designers and manufacturers may submit their product applications for MSHA approval under either the incorporated ANSI-approved standards or existing MSHA requirements in subparts B through E of 30 CFR part 18. MSHA will continue to administer its testing, evaluation, and approval program to ensure electrical equipment used in gassy mines can be safely operated by miners in hazardous environments.