ISSUE DATE: 08/16/2010 

PROGRAM INFORMATION BULLETIN NO. P10-12 

FROM: KEVIN G. STRICKLIN 

 Administrator for 

 Coal Mine Safety and Health 

SUBJECT: Maintaining Methane Monitors in Permissible and Proper Operating 

Condition for Mining Equipment 

Scope

This Program Information Bulletin (PIB) applies to coal mine operators, miners and 

miners' representatives, independent contractors, Mine Safety and Health 

Administration (MSHA) enforcement personnel, and other interested parties. 

Purpose

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

mining community on requirements to maintain methane monitors in permissible and 

proper operating condition to ensure that the monitors provide miners with a warning 

when excessive quantities of methane are liberated in the working face. 

Information

Under 30 C.F.R. § 75.342, methane monitors on mining equipment must be maintained 

in permissible and proper operating condition. In addition, under 30 C.F.R. § 75.503, all 

electric equipment that is taken into or inby the last open crosscut must be maintained 

in permissible condition. Some mine operators are defeating the purpose of a methane 

monitor either by placing material over the sensor head of the monitor or “bridging out” 

the electrical safety components of the monitors. Placing material over the sensor head 

will prevent the monitor from detecting excessive and dangerous concentrations of 

methane in the mine. Similarly, “bridging out” the electrical components of the monitors 

will prevent the mining equipment from shutting down when methane reaches the two 

percent cut-off level. Methane ignitions and potential explosions could occur if these 

practices continue. 

Methane monitors are critical safety devices designed to protect miners from methane 

explosions. These monitors provide the first warning of elevated levels of methane by 

providing a visible warning at one percent and automatically shutting down mining 

equipment when methane concentrations reach two percent. Mining equipment that 

continues to operate under such conditions could result in a violent explosion. 
2

MSHA maintains an anonymous hotline for reporting hazardous conditions, including 

tampering with methane monitors. The phone number is 1-800-746-1553. Persons 

may also report hazardous conditions to their MSHA District office. MSHA will promptly 

investigate any report of a hazardous condition at a mine. 

Background

On April 21, 2010, MSHA launched inspections at 57 coal mines whose enforcement 

history indicated a significant number of violations related to methane accumulations, 

ventilation, rock dusting and mine examinations. These impact inspections followed the 

April 5, 2010, explosion at Upper Big Branch Mine in Montcoal, West Virginia, and 

focused attention on mine ventilation, rock dusting, methane monitoring and mine 

examinations. 

In addition, on May 24, 2010, the House Education and Labor Committee conducted a 

hearing on the Upper Big Branch explosion. The Committee heard testimony from 

deceased miners’ families. The testimony addressed issues regarding safety conditions 

in existence prior to the explosion including inadequate ventilation, intentional changes 

to ventilation systems, high levels of methane, excessive coal float dust, “bridging out” 

methane monitors on mining equipment, advance notice of MSHA inspections, and 

retaliation for miners who raised safety and health issues. 

This PIB emphasizes that MSHA intends for mine operators to fully comply with the 

Mine Act and MSHA’s regulatory requirements.

Authority

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

30 C.F.R. §§ 75.342 (a)(4) and 75.503. 

Internet Availability

This PIB may be viewed on the Internet by accessing MSHA's home page at 

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

Issuing Office and Contact Person

Coal Mine Safety and Health 

John Arrington, (202) 693-9549 

E-mail: Arrington.John@dol.gov

Distribution

MSHA Program Policy Manual Holders 

Underground Coal Mine Operators 

Miners' Representatives 

Independent Contractors 

Special Interest Groups