ISSUE DATE: 3/23/2011

PROGRAM INFORMATION BULLETIN NO. P11-11

FROM: KEVIN G. STRICKLIN

 Administrator for

 Coal Mine Safety and Health

SUBJECT: Reissue of P07-31 - Use of Fall Protection In, Around, or Over

 Any Shaft and Conveyance Safety Measures

Who needs this information?

This Program Information Bulletin (PIB) is intended for coal mine operators, 

independent contractors, miners’ representatives, Mine Safety and Health 

Administration (MSHA) personnel, and other interested parties. 

What is the purpose of this bulletin? 

This PIB informs the mining community of the fall hazards present during shaft 

construction, repair, or inspection activities and the necessary precautions to prevent 

injury or death.

Information 

For purposes of this PIB, conveyances include skips, buckets, cages, platforms, or any 

other device that transports personnel in a shaft.

Personnel riding in conveyances should wear a full body harness with a short, shock 

absorbing lanyard, and be properly tied-off to a designated attachment point. 

Additionally, when personnel are riding in conveyances, no ropes, chains, slings, or 

lanyards should be attached to, or otherwise hang from the underside or the outside of 

the conveyance. Any of these items could inadvertently foul or tip the conveyance 

causing persons or material to fall into the shaft. The mine operator or contractor must 

ensure that conveyances can travel in the shaft without tipping or becoming fouled. 

In addition, where persons are required to embark or disembark from a conveyance 

suspended over or within a shaft, a loading platform must be installed to ensure safe 

footing.
2

Designated attachment points should be provided on the conveyance for the safety 

lanyard. The location of the attachment point should be carefully selected to prevent 

the lanyard from getting snagged or entangled when the conveyance is moving. 

Before a signal is provided to the hoist operator to move the conveyance, all personnel 

should ensure that they and all other personnel are tied-off. The hoist operator should 

confirm that all persons are tied-off prior to moving the conveyance.

What is the background for this PIB?

On August 10, 2007, three persons were fatally injured when they fell from the bucket in 

which they were riding. The bucket became fouled and tipped over while they were 

being lowered down the shaft. The victims fell approximately 500 feet and narrowly 

missed several workers at the bottom of the shaft. None of the victims were tied-off to 

prevent them from falling.

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. §§ 77.1908(b), (e), (o).

Is this PIB on the Internet? 

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

(www.msha.gov) and then choosing “Compliance Info” and “Program Information 

Bulletins.” 

Who is the MSHA contact persons for this PIB? 

Coal Mine Safety and Health, Safety Division

Michael G. Kalich, (202) 693-9714

E-mail: kalich.michael@dol.gov 

Who will receive this PIB? 

MSHA Program Policy Manual Holders 

Underground Coal Mine Operators 

Independent Contractors

Miners’ Representatives 

Coal Special Interest Groups