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The MINER Act of 2006 and Related NIOSH Activities |
Technical Study Panel on the Utilization of Belt Air and the Composition and Fire Retardant Properties of Belt Materials in Underground Coal Mining |
Back to The MINER Act of 2006 and Related NIOSH Activities
Overview
Section 11 of the MINER Act (PDF, 82 KB) established a technical study panel to provide independent scientific and engineering review and recommendations regarding the use of belt air and the composition and flame retardant properties of belt materials in underground coal mines.
The Act provides criteria for Panel membership, a timeframe for completing the study, and directives for action after the report is completed. The Panel will be administered by the Department of Labor (MSHA, www.msha.gov), and NIOSH will provide technical support if requested. As required by the Act, NIOSH provided the Secretary of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services with a list of nominees, and the Secretary appointed two Panel members. Two more members will be appointed by the Secretary of Labor and two by Congress for a full membership of six panelists.
Historically, the ventilating air that moves along the belt entry towards the production face (belt air) was coursed directly into the returns. Over 20 years ago, however, some mines in very gassy seams experienced difficulty moving sufficient air to the working face. The usual solutions (increasing the number of air courses and/or increasing air flow through the existing ones) could not be implemented due to design limitations on the dimensions and number of aircourses, along with aerodynamic constraints. Therefore, using belt air to increase the quantity of air at the production face was explored. This was viewed as a means to improve mine safety by more effectively diluting explosive methane at the face while allowing coal to be mined at a competitive rate.
However, most design decisions embody complex tradeoffs and that is certainly the case with the use of belt air. While the practice may improve safety in one context, it could reduce safety in others. One major concern is a fire in the belt entry. Such fires can occur by the very nature of conveyor belt systems. If a belt fire occurred, miners working at the production faces could become engulfed in smoke and toxic gases. Thus, several precautions (e.g., fire monitoring systems) were stipulated as a condition of using belt air. Health concerns were also raised because air passing over the conveyor belt might entrain respirable dust, increasing miner exposure to dust at the face. Until a few years ago, MSHA reviewed each petition to use belt air on a case-by-case-basis. If approved, MSHA mandated additional protections to help ensure that mineworker safety would not be diminished. Two years ago, MSHA revised 30 CFR (http://www.msha.gov/30cfr/cfrintro.htm) to allow the use of belt air in all underground coal mines, provided that additional precautions were implemented.
Recent mine tragedies have focused attention on mine safety, especially in areas that are seen as vulnerable. Overall, the track record for using belt air speaks to its efficacy and safety. From a risk analysis and management perspective, however, this track record alone is insufficient to ensure mineworker safety.
One major task of the Panel will be to examine the impact on mine safety of using or not using belt air and, specifically, to weigh the effectiveness of various proactive offsetting measures. The Panel will undoubtedly consider fire and smoke monitoring systems, sensor placement, system reliability, fire extinguishing systems, belt flammability, maximum air velocity, escapeway location, and respirable dust issues, among others. Fortunately, several studies have been conducted over the years to look at many of these issues (a list of technical publications is given below). However, the Panel’s recommendations regarding belt air will likely consider policy and economic factors as well.
More information about the Panel (including the Panel's charter and meeting notices) can be found on MSHA's web site at http://www.msha.gov/mineract/beltair/beltair.asp.
NIOSH Projects and Activities
References
| Panel Reports |
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Final Report of the Technical Study Panel on the Utilization of Belt Air and the Composition and Fire Retardant Properties of Belt Materials in Underground Coal Mining (PDF, 1427 KB)
Mutmansky-JM; Brune-JF; Calizaya-F; Mucho-TP; Tien-JC; Weeks-JL | Final Report of the Technical Study Panel on the Utilization of Belt Air and the Composition and Fire Retardant Properties of Belt Materials in Underground Coal Mining, 2007 Dec; :132 pp |
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| Regulations |
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Underground Coal Mine Ventilation - Safety Standards for the Use of a Belt Entry as an Intake Air Course to Ventilate Working Sections and Areas Where Mechanized Mining Equipment is Being Installed or Removed (http://thefederalregister.com/d.p/2004-04-02-04-6768)
Department of Labor | 30 CFR Part 75, June 1, 2004 |
Compliance Guide for MSHA's Safety Standards for the Use of a Belt Entry as an Intake Air Course to Ventilate Working Sections and Areas Where Mechanized Mining Equipment is Being Installed or Removed (http://www.msha.gov/regs/complian/guides/...) (PDF, 605 KB)
Mine Safety and Health Administration | Department of Labor, Sept. 2004 |
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| Publications |
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CO Dispersion from a Coal Fire in a Mine Entry (PDF, 338 KB)
Edwards-JC, Franks-RA, Friel-GF, Yuan-L | Proceedings of the 11th U.S./North American Mine Ventilation Symposium, University Park, Pennsylvania, June 5-7, 2006. Mutmansky JM, Ramani RV. eds., London, U.K.: Taylor & Francis Group, 2006 Jun; :511-517 |
Predicting Methane Emissions from Longer Longwall Faces by Analysis of Emission Contributors (PDF, 186 KB)
Krog-RB, Schatzel-SJ, Garcia-F, Marshall-JK | Proceedings of the 11th U.S./North American Mine Ventilation Symposium, University Park, Pennsylvania, June 5-7, 2006. Mutmansky JM, Ramani RV. eds., London, U.K.: Taylor & Francis Group, 2006 Jun; :383-392 |
Comparing Fire Standards on Conveyor Belts (http://www.phoenix-conveyor-belts.com/...) (PDF, 1174 KB)
Kuesel-B | American Longwall, March 2006; :2pp |
Effect of Belt Air on Dust Levels in Underground Coal Mines (http://www.msha.gov/...) (PDF, 1025 KB)
Haney-RA | Appl. occup. environ. hyg. 11(7), 2006; 826-829 |
Analysis of Mine Fires for All U.S. Underground and Surface Coal Mining Categories: 1990-1999 (PDF, 1611 KB)
De Rosa-MI | Pittsburgh, PA: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Public Health Service, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health , DHHS (NIOSH) Publication No. 2004-167, 2004 Sep; Information Circular 9470; :1-36 |
Development of a Small-scale Fire Propagation Test for Conveyor Belts (http://www.ingentaconnect.com/...) (PDF, 440 KB)
Yardley-ED, Williams-M, Wymark-S, Stace-LR | Mining Technology, (Trans. Inst. Min. Metall. A) 113(2), 2004 Mar: ;73-82 |
In Mine Evaluation of Discriminating Mine Fire Sensors (PDF, 322 KB)
Edwards-JC, Franks-RA, Friel-GF, Lazzara-CP, Opferman-JJ | In: E. DeSouza, ed. Proceedings of the North American/Ninth U.S. Mine Ventilation Symposium (June 8-12, 2002, Kingston, Ontario, Canada). A. A. Balkema Publishers, Lisse, Netherlands, 2002; :527-532 |
Mine Fire Detection in the Presence of Diesel Emissions (PDF, 582 KB)
Edwards-JC, Franks-RA, Friel-GF, Lazzara-CP, Opferman-JJ | Proc Eighth U.S. Mine Ventilation Symposium. Rolla, MO: University of Missouri-Rolla, Press, 1999 Jun; :295-301 |
Status of Dust Control Technology on U.S. Longwalls
Colinet-JF, Spencer-ER, Jankowski-RA | Proceedings of the 6th International Mine Ventilation Congress, Ramani RV, ed., Chapter 55. Society for Mining, Metallurgy, and Exploration, Inc.: Littleton, CO, 1997 May; :345-351 |
Mine Fire Detection Under Zero Airflow Conditions (PDF, 413 KB)
Edwards-JC, Friel-GF, Franks-RA, Opferman-JJ | Proceedings of the 6th International Mine Ventilation Congress, Chapter 52, Ramani RV, ed., Littleton, CO: Society for Mining, Metallurgy, and Exploration, Inc., 1997 Feb; :331-336 |
Comparative In-Mine Evaluation of Carbon Monoxide and Smoke Detectors (PDF, 1000 KB)
Edwards-JC, Friel-GF | U.S. Department of the Interior, Bureau of Mines, Report of Investigations 9622. NTIS stock number: PB96-165188, 1996 :1-11 |
The Impact of Airflow Changes on the Hazards of Direct Fighting of Fires Involving Conveyor Belting
Ryan-MW | 26th Int’l Conf. of Safety in Mines Research Institutes, Central Mining Institute, Katowice, Poland, Sept. 7, 1995 |
The Performance of Automatic Sprinkler Systems in the Extinguishment of Incipient Belt Fires Under Ventilated Conditions
Smith-AC, Pro-RW, Lazzara-CP | In: Proc 7th U.S. Mine Ventilation Symposium (June 5-7, 1995, Lexington, KY), Wala AM, ed. University of Kentucky, 1995 |
Hazards of Conveyor Belt Fires
Perzak-FJ, Litton-CD, Mura-KE, Lazzara-CP | U.S. Dept. of the Interior, Bureau of Mines, Report of Investigations 9570, 1995 May; :1-33 |
Analysis of Underground Coal Mine Fire Incidents in the United States from 1978 through 1992
Pomroy-WH, Carigiet-AM | U.S. Dept. of the Interior, Bureau of Mines, Information Circular 9426, 1995, 24 pp |
A Comparison of Mine Fire Sensors (PDF, 505 KB)
Conti-RS, Litton-CD | U.S. Department of the Interior, Bureau of Mines, Report of Investigations 9572, NTIS stock number: PB96-115233, 1995:1-10 |
Evaluation of Smoke Detectors for Mining Use (PDF, 235 KB)
Edwards-JC, Morrow-GS | Pittsburgh, PA: U.S. Department of the Interior, Bureau of Mines, Report of Investigations 9586. NTIS stock number: PB96-128566, 1995 |
Ranking Factors Impacting Survival During Coal Mine Fires
Kissell-FN, Timko-RJ, Litton-CD | Min Eng, 1993 Aug; :1077-1083 |
New Test for the Evaluation of the Flame Resistance of Conveyor Belt
Varakis-HC | Presented at Seminar of Belt Conveyors, Design & Development, Univ. of Wis- Milwaukee; Chicago, IL, June 25, 1993 |
Dust Considerations When Using Belt Entry Air to Ventilate Work Areas (PDF, 4300 KB)
Potts-JD, Jankowski-RA | U.S. Department of the Interior, Bureau of Mines, Report of Investigations 9426, 1992:1-12 |
In-Mine Evaluation of Smoke Detectors (PDF, 1553 KB)
Morrow-GS, Litton-CD | U.S. Department of the Interior, Bureau of Mines, Information Circular 9311, 1992:1-13 |
How Smoke Hinders Escape from Coal Mine Fires
Kissell-FN, Litton-CD | Min Eng, 1992 Jan; :79-83 |
Bureau Improves Belting Flammability Testing
| Coal 98(11), 1991 Nov; :51 |
Reducing the Fire Hazard of Mine Conveyor Belts (http://www.msha.gov/...) (PDF, 80 KB)
Verakis-HC | Proc 5th US Mine Ventilation Symp.; WVU, Morgantown, WV, June 3-5 1991; :69-73 |
Technology News 377 - New Flammability Test for Conveyor Belting
NIOSH | U.S. Department of the Interior, Bureau of Mines. Technology News 377, 1991 Mar |
Fire Detection for Conveyor Belt Entries
Litton-CD, Lazzara-CP, Perzak-FJ | U.S. Dept. of the Interior, Bureau of Mines, Report of Investigations 9380, 1991; 1-21 |
New Initiatives in the Prevention of Mine Fires and Explosions in the USA
Lazzara-CP, Litton-CD, Sapko-MJ | Minesafe International, 1990 (Perth, Western Australia, September 10-14, 1990). Perth: Chamber of Mines and Energy of Western Australia; :389-402, avail. from author |
Conveyor Belt Flammability Studies
Lazzara-CP, Perzak-FJ | Proc 21st Annual Institute on Coal Mining Health, Safety and Research, Blacksburg, Virginia, August 28-30, 1990. Hugler E, Bacho A, Karmis M, eds., Blacksburg, VA: Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, 1990 Aug; :119-129 |
Past, Present, and Future Fire-Retardant/Resistant Requirements for Materials Used in Underground Coal Mines (http://www.msha.gov/...) (PDF, 221 KB)
Luzik-SJ | Fire Safety Problems Leading to Current Needs and Future Opportunities, Camelback Inn, Scottsdale, AZ, Oct. 15-18, 1989 |
Fire Hazard Evaluation of Mine Conveyor Belts (http://www.msha.gov/...) (PDF, 59 KB)
Verakis-HC | Polymers in Mining, University of Lancaster, UK, (The Plastics and Rubber Institute), Sept 26-27, 1989 |
Impact of Entry Air Velocity on the Fire Hazard of Conveyor Belts (http://www.msha.gov/...) (PDF, 40 KB)
Verakis-HC, Dalzell-RW | Proc 4th Int'l Mine Ventilation Congress, Brisbane, Queensland, 1988 Jul; :375-381 |
Effect of Ventilation on Conveyor Belt Fires
Lazzara-CP, Perzak-FJ | Proc Symp on Safety in Coal Mining Pretoria Rep of So Africa 1987 Oct; :15 pages |
Flame Retardant- Fire Resistant Conveyor and Elevator Belting: A General Overview of Major Burning Test Procedures for Belt Qualification and Approval
Bradford-CR | 1984 Oct, avail. from author |
A Review of World-wide Requirements for Fire-resistant Conveyor Belting
Anderson-AE | Plastics and Rubber Processing and Applications 4(4), 1984; :355-363. |
Testing of Fire-resistant Conveyor Belting
Perzak-FJ, Spencer-ER, Sapko-MS | Can Min Met Bull 1982 Aug; 75(884):110-115 |
Improved Fire Resistance Test Method for Belt Materials
Kutchta-JM, Sapko-MJ, Perzak-FJ, Mura-KE | Fire Technol, 1981 May, 17(2); :120-130 |
Contact Person
For more information about the Technical Study Panel on the Utilization of Belt Air and the Composition and Fire Retardant Properties of Belt Materials in Underground Coal Mining, please contact:
| Robert J. Timko |
| NIOSH technical liaison to the Belt Study Panel |
| P.O. Box 18070, Cochrans Mill Rd. |
| Pittsburgh, PA 15236 |
| 412-386-6684 |
| RTimko@cdc.gov |
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