The Mine Safety and Health Administration has reopened comments on its underground-mine respirator proposal and scheduled a November 17 virtual hearing. The October 16 notice gives workers, operators and other interested people another opportunity to address the proposed rule.
The reopening follows a public request. It is not a final equipment-approval rule.
What remains proposed
MSHA describes the July 1, 2025, proposal as allowing certain powered air-purifying respirators that have not been evaluated and approved under its 30 CFR part 18 requirements in specified underground areas of gassy mines.
The proposal would also set requirements for those respirators' features, maintenance and the mining conditions in which they could be used. The reopening notice does not itself grant permission to use a particular device.
Three participation dates
The virtual hearing begins November 17 at 9 a.m. Eastern and ends after the last presenter speaks.
People who wish to speak are asked to register by November 13 at 11:59 p.m. Eastern. The notice says unregistered speakers will be called after registered speakers have spoken; advance registration is not described as an absolute bar to later participation.
New written comments must be received or postmarked by December 8 at 11:59 p.m. Eastern. MSHA says previously submitted comments do not need to be resubmitted and will be fully considered in developing the final rule.
Keep private information out of public comments
The notice identifies MSHA-2025-0089 as the docket and directs electronic submissions through Regulations.gov. It encourages specific examples where possible and accepts comments from people who do not testify at the hearing.
MSHA cautions against submitting personal information. It says comments are posted without change, including personal information, except portions marked as business confidential. Read those submission instructions before sending material intended to remain private.