EFFECTIVE DATE: 4/14/2011 EXPIRATION DATE: 3/31/2013 

(Reissue of P07-V-04)

PROGRAM POLICY LETTER NO. P11-V-12

FROM: KEVIN G. STRICKLIN

Administrator for

Coal Mine Safety and Health

NEAL H. MERRIFIELD

Administrator for

Metal and Nonmetal Mine Safety and Health

LINDA F. ZEILER

Acting Director of Technical Support

SUBJECT: Re-Issue of P07-V-04 - Revision of MSHA Program Policy Manual, 

Volume II, Section 18.45 – Insulation of Cable Reel and Spooling Devices

Scope

This program policy letter (PPL) is intended for Mine Safety and Health Administration

(MSHA) personnel, equipment manufacturers, rebuild shops, underground mine 

operators, underground independent contractors, miners’ representatives, and other 

interested parties. 

Purpose

This PPL is issued to refine MSHA’s current policy concerning the insulation of cable 

reels and spooling devices under 30 CFR § 18.45(e). It addresses what parts of the cable 

reeling assembly need to be insulated with flame-resistant material and what parts may 

be isolated from the machine frame, if they are inaccessible to the mine personnel

during operation of the machine. 
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Background

In 1981, MSHA developed a policy concerning the insulation of cable reels and related 

parts. The policy indicated that any part of the machine which the trailing cable 

normally contacts, such as the cable reel hub and flanges, cable guide, sheaves, and bar 

rollers, must be insulated to prevent voltage being placed on the machine frame from 

spot contact with a worn or damaged trailing cable. The policy required that the 

insulating material be tested and accepted by MSHA as flame-resistant. The policy also 

provided an exception to the insulation requirement. Isolated metal components, 

insulated from the machine frame, are acceptable if they are inaccessible to mine 

personnel during normal operation of the machine. 

Recently MSHA identified a potential hazard in the cable reel area of shuttle cars. 

Shuttle cars often have guide rollers installed where the trailing cable enters the cable 

reel compartment housing the cable reel and spooling device. Shuttle car operators 

often clean mining materials from this area when the machine is at the dump point 

during the mining process. Some shuttle car designs incorporate metal guide rollers 

that are isolated from the machine with insulating bushings. These metal rollers can 

become energized if a damaged spot on the trailing cable rests on the rollers. Although 

the isolated roller provides protection from ground faults on the machine frame, it does 

not protect against a shock hazard for the shuttle car operator when cleaning this area 

from mining materials. 

In order to address this potential shock hazard on shuttle cars, MSHA is revising its 

policy. In general, isolated components are not permitted in the area between the 

sheave wheels and the area housing the cable reel and spooling device. They are 

permitted only if the isolated parts are located away from contact by mine personnel

while the cable reel area is being cleared of a buildup of mined materials. 

It is important for shuttle car manufacturers to recognize that the area between the 

sheave wheels and the area housing the cable reel and spooling device is often cleared 

to remove mined material. This area can be a potential shock hazard to miners if an

energized trailing cable is damaged and contacts a metal part in the vicinity of the area 

being cleared. Equipment manufacturers must therefore design their shuttle cars to 

address this hazard and notify appropriate mine personnel of the hazards associated 

with clearing this area of mined materials while the machine is energized. 

Policy

This policy revises § 18.45 of the MSHA Program Policy Manual (PPM) as follows:

30 CFR § 18.45(e) requires cable reels and spooling devices to be insulated with flameresistant material. 
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To satisfy the intent of this requirement, any part of the machine that the trailing cable 

normally contacts, such as the cable reel hub and flanges, cable guide, sheaves, and bar 

rollers, must be insulated to prevent voltage being placed on the machine frame from 

spot contact with a worn or damaged trailing cable. The insulating material shall be 

tested and accepted as flame-resistant by the Approval and Certification Center. Cable 

reel hub and flanges, cable guide, sheaves, and bar rollers may be made or formed from 

non-metallic flame-resistant insulating materials. Also, these parts may be made of 

metal provided the surfaces contacted by the cable are coated or lined with a flameresistant material.

Isolated components, insulated from the machine frame, are acceptable if they are 

inaccessible to mine personnel while operating the machine. For shuttle cars, isolated 

components are not permitted in the area between the sheave wheels and the area 

housing the cable reel and spooling device. They are permitted if the isolated parts are 

located away from contact by the mine personnel. Since it is normal practice for mine 

personnel to clean mined material build up on bar rollers, these rollers must be 

insulated to prevent a damaged trailing cable from energizing the rollers. In this case 

the bar rollers are not considered isolated. 

Authority

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

30 C.F.R. §§ 18.20 and 18.45(e).

Filing Instructions

This PPL should be filed behind the tab marked "Program Policy Letters" at the back of 

Volume II of the PPM. 

Internet Availability

This PPL may be viewed on the World Wide Web by accessing the MSHA home page 

(http://www.msha.gov) and choosing "Compliance Info" and "Program Policy Letters."

Issuing Office and Contact Person

Coal Mine Safety and Health

John Arrington, (202) 693-9549

E-mail: Arrington.John@dol.gov

Metal and Nonmetal Mine Safety and Health

Marvin Lichtenfels, (202) 693-9600

E-mail: Lichtenfels.Marvin@dol.gov

MSHA, Approval and Certification Center

Kenneth Porter (304) 547-2030

E-mail: Porter.Kenneth@dol.gov
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Distribution

MSHA Program Policy Manual Holders

Manufacturers of Mining Equipment and Mine Equipment Rebuild Facilities 

Miners’ Representatives

Underground Mine Operators

Underground Independent Contractors

Special Interest Groups