ISSUE DATE: 04/16/09 

PROGRAM INFORMATION BULLETIN NO. P09-07 

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 Safety and Health 

SUBJECT: Neutral Start Methods on Mobile Electrical Equipment 

Who needs this information?

Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) enforcement personnel, coal and metal 

and nonmetal both surface and underground mine operators, miners' representatives, 

equipment manufacturers, and repair shop facilities. 

What is the purpose of this Program Information Bulletin (PIB)?

The purpose of this PIB is intended to inform interested parties of a potential hazard 

that can be eliminated by providing a neutral start method on mobile electrical 

equipment. 

Information

A. What is a neutral start method?

A neutral start method is a design feature which ensures that machines cannot be 

started unless the drive (tram) control is in neutral. This ensures that motor torque will 

not be transmitted unintentionally to the drive motors and cause machine movement 

when electrical power circuits are energized on the machine. 
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B. Why is a neutral start method needed?

The lack of a neutral start method can create a dangerous condition for persons working 

in the vicinity of equipment who might be caught unaware by the sudden movement of 

the equipment when the equipment becomes energized. Without a neutral start feature, 

it is possible to start a machine and deliver power to the driving mechanism resulting in 

unintentional movement of the machine before the equipment operator is in total 

control of the machine. This hazard applies to machines with direct-drive electric 

motors, as well as machines utilizing fluid power or other systems for the drive 

mechanism. For this reason, MSHA recommends that mine operators and equipment 

manufacturers equip all mobile electrical motor-driven machines with a neutral start 

feature as soon as possible. If the equipment being modified is permissible, the 

approval holder or mine operator should contact MSHA’s Approval and Certification 

Center to ascertain whether the equipment modification affects the permissibility of 

such equipment. For further guidance, contact equipment manufacturers on this 

matter. 

What is the background for this PIB?

A recent coal mine accident occurred while a shift foreman was preparing to tram a belt 

feeder after a belt move. When the feeder was energized, it started the driving 

mechanism which caused unintentional and uncontrolled machine movement resulting 

in the machine abruptly pivoting and pinning the victim between the feeder and the 

coal rib. This accident and other similar accidents could have been prevented if the 

machine involved had incorporated a neutral start feature. 

The incorporation of a neutral start feature is believed to have a minimal impact on 

retrofitting electrical equipment in the field. Neutral start features have been 

successfully incorporated into underground permissible diesel-powered equipment for 

over 25 years and should also be incorporated into other mobile electrical equipment. 

Several manufacturers already have incorporated electrical circuits to prevent tramming 

of equipment if a directional control or footswitch is activated unintentionally during 

start-up. Other pieces of equipment have incorporated circuits to prevent a hydraulic 

motor from starting unless the directional control for the electric tram motors is placed 

in the “off” or “neutral” position when the hydraulic motor is energized. Additionally, 

it is possible to devise a neutral start feature through a mechanical linkage which would 

prevent the ability to start the machine unless the tram controls are placed in a 

“neutral” position. 

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. §§ 18.20(b), 57.22302, 57.22303, 57.22304, 57.22305, 75.1725, and 77.404. 
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Is this PIB on the Internet?

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

(http://www.msha.gov) and then choosing “Compliance Info” and then clicking on 

“Program Information Bulletins.” 

Who are the contact persons for this PIB?

Coal Mine Safety and Health, Safety Division 

Salwa El-Bassioni, (202) 693-9525 

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

Metal and Nonmetal Safety and Health, Safety Division 

Lawrence Trainor, (202) 693-9644 

E-mail: trainor.lawrence@dol.gov 

Technical Support, Approval and Certification Center 

Robert C. Boring, (304) 547-2089 

E-mail: boring.robert@dol.gov

Who will receive this PIB?

MSHA Program Policy Manual Holders 

MSHA Special Interest Groups 

Surface and Underground Coal and Metal and Nonmetal Mine Operators 

Repair Shops 

Manufacturers of Electric Mining Equipment