EFFECTIVE DATE: 3/23/2011 EXPIRATION DATE: 3/31/2013

(Reissue of P09-V-11)

PROGRAM POLICY LETTER NO. P11-V-08

FROM: KEVIN G. STRICKLIN

 Administrator for

 Coal Mine Safety and Health 

SUBJECT: Tests for Methane at the Working Face, Using Extendable 

Probes or Other Acceptable Means

Scope

This Program Policy Letter (PPL) is intended for Mine Safety and Health 

Administration (MSHA) personnel, equipment manufacturers, underground coal mine 

operators and independent contractors, miners and miners' representatives, and other 

interested parties. 

Purpose

This PPL clarifies the requirements concerning tests for methane under 30 C.F.R. §

75.362(d)(1), (d)(2), and (d)(3). This PPL sets forth MSHA's policy for determining the 

manner and means of testing for methane at the working face including during roof 

bolting. 

Policy

During on-shift examinations, tests for methane are required to be made, under 30 

C.F.R. § 75.362(d)(1), as follows: (1) at the start of each shift at each working place before 

electrically operated equipment is energized; (2) immediately before equipment is 

energized, taken into, or operated in a working place; and, (3) at 20-minute intervals, or 

more often if required in the approved ventilation plan, during the operation of 

equipment in the working place. These methane tests are required to be made at the 

face from under permanent roof support, using extendable probes or other acceptable 

means.

In order to provide the intended protection of the standard, the extendable probe or 

other acceptable means to test for methane should be within 5 feet of the face and at 

least 12 inches from the roof, face, ribs, and floor. Other acceptable means of testing 
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may include use of the “gizmo” device, whereby a methane detector is held by the 

device, which is attached to the head of the continuous mining machine, and the 

machine is then trammed to the face to test for methane. Other similar devices, such as 

the use of cases or machine-mounted enclosures that hold the methane detector, also are

acceptable methods for taking a methane test at the face, but testing should be within 5 

feet of the face and at least 12 inches from the roof, face, ribs and floor. The qualified 

person making the test must be able to accurately determine the quantity of methane at 

the face.

As an alternative during roof bolting, methane tests may be made, under 30 C.F.R. § 

75.362(d)(3), by sweeping an area not less than 16 feet inby the last area of permanently 

supported roof, using a probe or other acceptable means and conditioned on meeting 

the additional requirements in 30 C.F.R. § 75.362(d)(3). However, the initial test for 

methane before the roof bolting machine is taken into the working place must be made 

at the face from under permanent roof support, using extendable probes or other 

acceptable means. If a test for methane at the face was conducted within the preceding 

20 minutes while the continuous mining machine was in the working place, the test 

made for the continuous mining machine will suffice for the required test at the face 

prior to the roof bolting machine entering the working place, unless more frequent 

testing for the specific location is required in the approved ventilation plan. If more 

than 20 minutes has elapsed since the last test for methane at the face was conducted, a 

test for methane at the face is required prior to the roof bolting machine entering the 

working place.

Background

MSHA has historically accepted methane tests at the face while using extendable 

probes, under 30 C.F.R. §§ 75.362(d)(1), (d)(2) and (d)(3), if the probe reaches within 5 

feet of the face and no closer than 12 inches to the roof, ribs, and floor.

Authority

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

C.F.R. §§ 75.362(d)(1), (d)(2) and (d)(3).

Issuing Office and Contact Person

Coal Mine Safety and Health, Safety Division 

Michael G. Kalich, (202) 693-9714

E-mail: kalich.michael@dol.gov

Internet Availability

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

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

All PPM Holders

Coal Mine Operators

Miners' Representatives – Coal

Special Interest Groups

Independent Contractors – Coal

Equipment Manufacturers