[Federal Register: Federal Register: May 20, 1999 (Volume 64, Number 97]
[Notices]
[Page 27605-27606]

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF LABOR
Mine Safety and Health Administration

DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health; Public Conferences for Persons Interested in Self-Rescuer Protection and Mine Emergency Preparedness in the Mining Industry

AGENCY: Mine Safety and Health Administration and the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health.

ACTION: Notice of conferences.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: The Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) and the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) will host a conference on issues and concerns related to self-rescuer protection in the mining industry. In addition, MSHA will host a conference on mine emergency preparedness. The conferences will run concurrently. The purpose of these conferences is to provide an opportunity for an exchange of information between the Agencies, self-rescuer manufacturers, mining industry representatives, labor representatives, and those involved in all areas associated with mine emergency preparedness.

DATES: The conferences will run concurrently beginning Tuesday, June 15 and continue through Thursday, June 17, 1999.

ADDRESSES: The conferences will be held at the National Mine Health and Safety Academy located at 1301 Airport Road, Beaver, West Virginia (near Beckley, West Virginia).

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Dan Conley, MSHA, at (703) 235-1358, or Mr. Robert Stein, NIOSH, at (304) 285-5907.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Tentative Self-Rescuer Conference Topics are: NIOSH/MSHA self-rescuer certification & quality assurance process; NIOSH/MSHA long term self-rescuer field evaluation program; NIOSH/MSHA self-rescuer service-life plans and conditions of use requirements; NIOSH/MSHA self-rescuer reliability concerns and MSHA's revised inspection procedures; and, Discussions and presentations on other mine rescue and escape technologies.

Tentative Mine Emergency Preparedness Conference Topics are: Review of material from the first Mine Emergency Preparedness Conference of January 1995; Discussion of background and research accomplishments to address the issues identified during this first conference; Discussion on short term objectives MSHA has undertaken to address the identified issues, including an in-depth review of MSHA policy up-dates and changes related to mine emergency preparedness; and, Discussion on long term objectives MSHA should consider undertaking to improve and strengthen mine emergency preparedness.

The conferences will be open to all interested parties. MSHA and NIOSH will provide participants an opportunity to ask questions; submit written comments they wish to have included in the record; and provide individualized input into the changes to the applicable regulations and policies

[[Page 27606]]

through work-shops and break-out sessions. We encourage manufacturers and distributors of self-rescue devices, mine rescue apparatus, and other equipment that can be utilized to aid in mine escape, evacuation, rescue, and recovery operations to attend. We will make space available for displays of such items at no cost to the manufacturer or distributor.

If you are interested in attending either conference, you should register in advance. You can find conference information, including a registration form and tentative topics, at the MSHA Internet site (http://www.msha.gov/EVENTS/SCSR/INTRO.HTM). To register, you may mail or fax a completed registration form to (304) 256-3251 or contact Cheryl Hoffman by electronic mail at Hoffman.Cheryl. Room and board are available at the National Mine Health and Safety Academy (the Academy). Contact the Academy at (304) 256-3252 for details. If you wish to request space for a display please contact Mrs. Jan Keaton, from the Academy, at (304) 256-3234.

Dated: May 13, 1999.
J. Davitt McAteer,
Assistant Secretary for Mine Safety and Health.


Dated: May 17, 1999.
Marilyn A. Fingerhut,
Chief of Staff, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health,
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
[FR Doc. 99-12749 Filed 5-18-99; 1:33 pm]
BILLING CODE 4510-43-P



Accessibility Disclaimer Privacy Statement Search Site Go to Home Page