News Release

Printer-Friendly Version

MSHA News Release: [05/11/2007]
Contact Name: Amy Louviere or Dirk Fillpot
Phone Number: (202) 693-9423 or x9406
Release Number: 07-0694-NAT

U.S. Labor Department’s MSHA Web site now enables electronic filing of SCSR inventory

Inventory tracking system required by Mine Emergency Evacuation Rule

ARLINGTON, Va. — The U.S. Department of Labor's Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) today implemented a means for coal mine operators to electronically submit their inventories of self-contained self-rescuer units (SCSRs). The SCSR Inventory and Report (Form 2000-222) can now be completed and filed online and requires the operator to submit relevant data about the manufacturer and model of each SCSR, its serial number and reporting date.

The form is available at www.msha.gov under "Forms/Online Filing" on the Quick Links menu.

"MSHA's maintenance of this inventory is a positive step toward facilitating the identification of potential problems with SCSRs," said Richard E. Stickler, assistant secretary of labor for mine safety and health. "This accounting system will assist us in identifying specific mines that may be subjected to SCSR recalls."

The SCSR inventory tracking system was mandated as part of the Mine Emergency Evacuation Rule that became effective Dec. 8, 2006, and authorized the collection of such information beginning March 31, 2007. The rule requires mine operators to report problems they may be experiencing with their existing inventories of SCSRs, including information pertaining to any defect or performance malfunction associated with the use of an SCSR. Each report must include a detailed description of the problem, and affected units must be preserved and retained for 60 days after being reported to MSHA. If an SCSR is damaged, it needs to be removed from the SCSR inventory database.

Coal mine operators must update their SCSR lists quarterly, and new mines must submit their SCSR information within three months of the beginning of operations. They can do so online or by fax, e-mail or postal mail.

Coal mine safety and health inspectors will check for compliance during their next quarterly inspection. If noncompliance is identified, appropriate enforcement action will be taken at that time.

This inventory tracking system also will be useful for the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health in its redesigned Long-Term Field Evaluation program, which gathers data to determine the expected performance characteristics of SCSRs. Results based on scientific principles can provide useful information to monitor expected SCSR performance and assess possible degradation due to the physical stresses of in-mine use.