ISSUE DATE: 01/25/13

PROGRAM INFORMATION BULLETIN NO. P13-01

FROM: KEVIN G. STRICKLIN

Administrator for

Coal Mine Safety and Health

GEORGE M. FESAK

Director of Technical Support

SUBJECT: Availability of a Report on the Use of the Coal Dust Explosibility Meter

Who needs this information?

Underground coal mine operators, miners' representatives, independent contractors, 

manufacturers, Coal Mine Safety and Health (CMS&H) enforcement personnel, 

Technical Support personnel and other interested parties should have this information.

What is the purpose of this bulletin?

The purpose of this Program Information Bulletin (PIB) is to advise the underground 

coal mining community that the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health 

(NIOSH) recently published a report on the Coal Dust Explosibility Meter (CDEM). This 

PIB also informs them of the need to measure coal mine dusts (mixtures of coal dust, 

float coal dust and rock dust) to determine potential explosibility.

Information

NIOSH’s “Coal Dust Explosibility Meter Evaluation and Recommendations for 

Application” publication (Information Circular (IC) 9529) details their investigation into 

the performance of the CDEM to accurately predict the explosibility of mine dust 

samples collected from U.S. underground coal mines. The IC summary states that:

The CDEM, which gives instantaneous results in real time, represents a 

new way for miners and operators to assess the relative hazard of dust 

accumulations in their mines and the effectiveness of their rock dusting 

practices. The intention of the device is to assist mine operators in 

complying with the Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) final 

rule 30 CFR § 75.403, requiring that the incombustible content of 

combined coal dust, rock dust, and other dust be at least 80% in 

underground areas of bituminous coal mines.
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As a part of this investigation, NIOSH and MSHA completed a field study within MSHA’s 

10 bituminous coal districts in 2009-2010 to evaluate the CDEM’s performance as a 

potential compliance tool. NIOSH reported:

The conclusions of this study strongly support the field use of the CDEM 

to measure the explosibility of coal and rock dust mixtures, to more 

effectively improve the onsite adequacy of rock dusting for explosion 

prevention. Mine operators could use the CDEM on a regular basis to 

ensure that their rock dusting practices are achieving inertization 

requirements and meeting the intent of 30 CFR § 75.403.

The CDEM Information Circular 9529 is available on the NIOSH web page at:

http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/mining/Works/coversheet1843.html

MSHA encourages mine operators to collect and measure mine dust samples to verify

sufficient application of rock dust in underground coal mines. The CDEM may be used 

to measure the potential explosibility of coal mine dusts.

What is the background for this PIB?

The findings of MSHA’s Upper Big Branch explosion accident investigation, MSHA’s 

internal review of this accident, recent impact inspection data and recent NIOSH 

publications indicate hazards of coal dust explosions in the U.S.

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. 

and 30 C.F.R. Part 75, Subpart E.

Is this PIB on the Internet?

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

(http://www.msha.gov) and then choosing “MSHA's Major Laws, Regulations and 

Policies” and “Compliance Information (PIBs, PILs, the PPM, and More)” and “Program 

Information Bulletins.”

Who is the MSHA contact person for this PIB?

Coal Mine Safety and Health, Safety Division

Hubert Sherer, 202-693-9523

E-mail: sherer.hubert@dol.gov
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Office of Technical Support

Mark Schultz, 412-386-6807

E-mail: schultz.mark.j@dol.gov

Who will receive this PIB?

MSHA Program Policy Manual Holders

Underground Coal Mine Operators

Miners’ Representatives

Independent Contractors

Manufacturers

Special Interest Groups