ISSUE DATE: 01/20/2010 

PROGRAM INFORMATION BULLETIN NO. P10-01 

FROM: KEVIN G. STRICKLIN 

 Administrator for 

 Coal Mine Safety and Health 

 NEAL H. MERRIFIELD

 Acting Administrator for 

 Metal/Nonmetal Mine Safety and Health 

SUBJECT: MSA Topgard Protective Cap with Lamp Bracket & Cord 

 Holder and MSA V-Gard Protective Cap 

Who needs this information?

Coal mine operators, metal and nonmetal mine operators, miners and miners' 

representatives, independent contractors, Mine Safety and Health Administration 

(MSHA) enforcement personnel, and other interested parties should have this 

information. 

What is the purpose of this Program Information Bulletin?

The purpose of this Program Information Bulletin (PIB) is to provide information on 

potential safety hazards associated with the MSA Topgard Protective Cap equipped 

with lamp bracket and cord holder and the MSA V-Gard Protective Cap. 

Information

On August 12, 2009, MSA issued a User Advisory concerning the Topgard Protective 

Cap with lamp bracket and cord holder. The User Advisory states that these Topgard 

Protective Caps manufactured from April 2008 through October 2008 may not meet the 

Class E electrical high voltage resistance requirements of the ANSI Z89.1 – 2003 and 

CSA Z94.1 – 2005 standards and must be removed from service. The User Advisory 

further states that modifications to the process used to attach the lamp bracket may 

have affected the electrical resistance performance of helmets manufactured during this 

period. All Topgard Caps equipped with a lamp bracket and cord holder should be 
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examined to determine the date of manufacture. The manufacture date is located on a 

circular emblem molded into the shell on the underside of the brim. This information 

contains the last two digits of the year of manufacture in the center and an arrow 

pointing to the month of manufacture. The User Advisory, with an example of the 

emblem, is attached to this PIB. 

In addition, on September 4, 2009, MSA issued a notice to customers concerning the VGard protective cap. The notice states that MSA received reports of a single crack 

across the top of an isolated number of V-Gard shells. The notice states that a small 

number of V-Gard caps manufactured in March 2008 may be susceptible to premature 

cracking, found to be attributable to the colorant, and corrected in March 2008. To 

determine if a V-Gard cap exhibits this type of crack, it is readily noticeable at the top of 

the shell and is easily identified through routine, daily inspection as prescribed by MSA 

user instructions. If a crack develops, the cap must be removed from service. 

What is the background for this PIB?

A User Advisory and customer notice were issued by the manufacturer of particular 

protective caps. 

What is MSHA's authority for this PIB?

The Federal Mine Safety and Health Act of 1977, as amended, 30 U.S.C. § 801 et seq.; 

30 C.F.R. §§ 56/57.15002, 75.1720(d) and 77.1710(d). 

Where Is this PIB on the Internet?

This PIB may be viewed on the World Wide Web by accessing MSHA's home page at 

(www.msha.gov ), choosing "Compliance Info" and "Program Information Bulletins." 

Who are the MSHA contact persons for this PIB?

Coal Mine Safety and Health, Safety Division 

John Arrington, (202) 693-9549 

E-mail: arrington.john@dol.gov

Metal/Nonmetal Mine Safety and Health, Safety Division 

Marvin Lichtenfels, (202) 693-9606 

E-mail: lichtenfels.marvin@dol.gov

Who will receive this PIB?

MSHA Program Policy Manual Holders 

Coal Mine Operators 

Metal and Nonmetal Mine Operators 

Miners' Representatives 

Independent Contractors 

Special Interest Groups