Information Collection: Safety Standards for Underground Coal Mine Ventilation - Belt Entry Used as an Intake Air Course to Ventilate Working Sections and Areas Where Mechanized Mining Equipment is Being Installed or Removed

Section 103(h) of the Federal Mine Safety and Health Act of 1977 (Mine Act), 30 U.S.C. 813(h), authorizes the Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) to collect information necessary to carry out its duty in protecting the safety and health of miners. Further, section 101(a) of the Mine Act, 30 U.S.C. 811, authorizes the Secretary of Labor (Secretary) to develop, promulgate, and revise as may be appropriate, improved mandatory health or safety standards for the protection of life and prevention of injuries in coal and metal and nonmetal mines. The use of air from a belt air course to ventilate a working section, or an area where mechanized mining equipment is being installed or removed, is permitted only when evaluated and approved by the district manager in the mine ventilation plan. MSHA safety standards for ventilation of underground coal mines establish additional protective measures that mine operators must follow if they want to use belt air for ventilation purposes. Sections 75.350, 75.351, 75.352, and 75.371 contain paperwork requirements to ensure that mine operators are in compliance with the ventilation standards.