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ISSUE DATE: January 18, 2007 PROGRAM INFORMATION BULLETIN NO. P07-01 FROM: MARK E. SKILES Director of Technical Support FELIX A. QUINTANA Administrator for Metal and Nonmetal Mine Safety and Health KEVIN G. STRICKLIN Acting Administrator for Coal Mine Safety and Health SUBJECT: Global Positioning System (GPS) and Established Surface Stations or Markers Who needs this information? Operators of underground coal or metal and nonmetal mines, independent contractors, miners' representatives, Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) enforcement personnel, state mining agencies, and other interested parties need this information. What is the purpose of this bulletin? This Program Information Bulletin (PIB) informs the mining industry of potential alternatives when inclement weather renders satellite linked Global Position System (GPS) surveying equipment data collection slow or inoperable. Information GPS surveying has greatly enhanced the accuracy and timeliness of surveying. However, mine accidents that trap miners may occur during inclement weather. During times of inclement weather, the GPS satellite link may be lost or the data collection system may be slow or inoperable. In these cases, conventional surveying methods must be used. In preparation for these circumstances, MSHA recommends that mine operators:
What is the background for this PIB? Recent incidents have highlighted potential problems associated with sole reliance on GPS surveying technology. What is MSHA's authority for this PIB? The Federal Mine Safety and Health Act of 1977; 30 U.S.C. § 801 et seq., as amended by the MINER Act, Pub. L. No. 109-236, June 15, 2006. Is this PIB on the Internet? This PIB may be viewed on the World Wide Web by accessing the MSHA home page (www.msha.gov ) and choosing "Compliance Info" and "Program Information Bulletins." Who is the MSHA contact person for this PIB? Coal Mine Safety and Health Terry L. Bentley, (202) 693-9521 E-mail: Bentley.Terry@dol.gov Metal and Nonmetal Mine Safety and Health Neil Merrifield, (202) 693-9645 E-mail: Merrifield.Neal@dol.gov Technical Support Howard Epperly, (304) 547-2034 E-mail: Epperly.Howard@dol.gov Who will receive this PIB? MSHA Program Policy Manual Holders Underground Mine Operators Mine Equipment Manufacturers Miners' Representatives Special Interest Groups |
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