ISSUE DATE: October 29, 2009 

PROGRAM INFORMATION BULLETIN NO. P09-42 

FROM: LINDA F. ZEILER

Acting Director of Technical Support 

KEVIN G. STRICKLIN

Administrator for 

Coal Mine Safety and Health 

 NEAL H. MERRIFIELD

Acting Administrator for 

Metal and Nonmetal Mine Safe and Health 

SUBJECT: Audits on Permissible Underground Mining Equipment 

Scope

Underground coal and gassy metal and nonmetal mine operators, independent contractors, Mine 

Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) enforcement personnel, original equipment 

manufacturers, and re-build companies should have this Program Information Bulletin (PIB). 

Purpose

MSHA is issuing this PIB to inform the mining industry of a new emphasis on auditing 

underground permissible equipment. Mining equipment specialists from the Quality Assurance 

and Materials Testing Division at MSHA’s, Technical Support Approval & Certification Center 

in Triadelphia, West Virginia, have been contacting manufacturers and re-builders of MSHAapproved mining equipment. The purpose of the contacts is to offer audits by MSHA specialists 

of MSHA- approved equipment prior to the equipment being placed into service at a mine. 

Information

These audits will help to ensure that permissible mining equipment is assembled and maintained 

in accordance with the approval prior to being placed into service. 
2

Upon request, MSHA’s audit team will perform an in-depth audit to verify that permissible 

mining equipment conforms to the original approval and applicable requirements of Title 30 

Code of Federal Regulations (30 C.F.R.) Parts 57 and 75. The team will examine explosionproof enclosures, motors, and lights. Electrical circuits and components such as fuses, overloads, 

and circuit breakers will be identified. The team will perform a permissibility check on the 

equipment. If power is available, the team will check brakes, panic bars, and emergency stop 

switches. 

The primary benefit is that these audits contribute to the ultimate goal of protecting the safety of 

our nation’s miners. The secondary benefit of this program is that if a non-conformance with the 

MSHA approval or regulation is identified, corrective action can be taken at the manufacturer ‘s 

site or rebuild facility prior to the equipment being placed into service. Audits reduce the 

likelihood of a permissibility violation. There is no cost for this service. 

Authority

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

Parts 57.22301-22315 and 75.500-524. 

Internet Availability

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

http://www.msha.gov, choosing Compliance Info and then Program Information Bulletins. 

Issuing Office and Contact Person

Coal Mine Safety and Health, Safety Division 

Salwa El-Bassioni, (202) 693-9525 

E-mail: el-bassioni.salwa@dol.gov

Metal and Nonmetal Mine Safety and Health 

Safety and Health Division 

William W. Wilson, (202) 693-9643 

E-mail: wilson.william@dol.gov

Technical Support, Approval and Certification Center 

Dustin Hinchman, (304) 547-2049 

E-mail: hinchman.dustin@dol.gov 

 

William Kelly, (304) 547-2022 

E-mail: kelly.william@dol.gov

Distribution

MSHA Program Policy Manual Holders 

Underground Mine Operators 

Miners’ Representatives 

Independent Contractors 

Manufacturers of Mining Equipment and Mining Products 

Special Interest Groups