All electrical products manufactured for use in hazardous areas of underground mines must be approved by MSHA. A rule enacted in 2003, known as Part 6, permits manufacturers who seek MSHA approval to use an independent laboratory to perform, in whole or in part, the necessary testing and evaluation for approval. It also permits manufacturers to request to have their products approved based on non-MSHA product safety standards once MSHA has determined that the standards are equivalent to MSHA's product approval requirements or can be modified to provide at least the same degree of protection.
The independent laboratory performing the test or evaluation must be recognized by a laboratory accrediting organization and be free from commercial, financial and other pressures that could influence the results of the testing process.
Frequently Asked Questions on Part 6 application
2003 Final Rule: 30 CFR Part 6 – Testing and Evaluation by Independent Laboratories and Non-MSHA Product Safety Standards
For more information, please contact:
General information
Patrick Retzer
Chief, Electrical Safety Division
(304) 547-2024, Retzer.Patrick@dol.gov
Explosion-proof equipment
Sarah Dragonetti
(304) 547-2308, Dragonetti.Sarah@dol.gov, or
Richard Skrabak
(304) 547-2053, Skrabak.Richard@dol.gov
Intrinsically safe equipment
Frank J. Prebeg
(304) 547-2023 Prebeg.Frank@dol.gov, or
Kyle Spaulding
(304) 547-2018, Spaulding.Kyle.B@dol.gov