MSHA

Mica mining is subjected to local, state, and federal laws. The Mining, Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) regularly monitors mica mining operations for safety violations. 

NIOSH/MSHA-approved respiratory protection devices should be used. For skin protection, use of protective garments and gloves of Viton, Nitrile, or PVA constmction should be made. The acute effects of overexposure to styrene are shown in Table 6 (74). 

For handling chi orohydrin s, chemical safety goggles, chemical-resistant gloves, OSHA/MSHA approved respirators, and other protective clothing are required. In case of contact, one should immediately flush eyes or skin with copious amounts of water for at least 15 minutes and remove contaminated clothing and shoes. If inhaled, the person should be moved to fresh air (72). 

The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) conducts research on occupational diseases and injuries, responds to requests for assistance by investigating problems of health and safety in the workplace, recommends standards to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and the Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA), and trains professionals in occupational safety and health. Contact NIOSH, 200 Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, DC 20201 Phone 800-356-4674 or NIOSH Technical Information Branch, Robert A. Taft Eaboratory, Mailstop C-19, 4676 Columbia Parkway, Cinciimati, OH 45226-1998 Phone 800-35-NIOSH. 

A Type 10 enclosure is designed to meet the explosion proof requirements of the U.S. Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA). It is suitable for use in gaseous coal mines. 

Rebreathers The system provides a duration of use for up to two hours, weighs only 30 pounds, and is both NIOSH and MSHA approved. The Rebreather system is positive pressure which will keep gases away from the user s face. 

A NIOSH/MSHA approved pressure demand full face piece SCBA or supplied air respirators with escape air cylinder may be used. Alternatively, a full face piece, chemical canister air-purifying protective mask is acceptable for this purpose (See DA Pam 385-61 for determination of appropriate level. 

A NIOSH/MSHA approved pressure demand full facepiece SCBA or supplied air respirator with escape air cylinder may be used. 

The resilience of gum neoprene vulcanizates is little lower than natural rubber but it decreases with increased filler incorporation. Therefore, the resilience of most practical neoprene compounds is higher than that of natural rubber with comparable volume loading. Because of the presence of chlorine in the neoprene molecule, products made from neoprene resist combustion to a greater degree than products made from non-halogen bearing rubbers. This means neoprene can be compounded to meet the flammability requirements of the Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) USA or similar requirements as might be stipulated by any other countries,... 

Fire safety of mine conveyor belts is covered by the Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA), subsidiary to the Department of Labor (responsible for the safety of miners). It has instituted some requirements, in accordance with a 1969 Act, which then became the 1977 Federal Mine Safety and Health Act. This regulation mandates the use of flame-resistant conveyor belts. The follow-up legislation was introduced in 2007. 

The fire safety of mine conveyor belts is covered by the MSHA. The convoluted history of requirements is described by Verakis.93 The regulation mandates the exclusive use of flame-resistant conveyor belts, without details. The actual test used is a Bunsen burner-type test, based on ASTM D 635 (UF 94HB),94 which has been shown to be inappropriate for the associated fire hazard. Originally, large-scale tunnels were used to classify the flammability of the conveyor belts, but those tunnels have since been destroyed. There have been fire-testing research projects addressing the correlation of the various proposed tests with standard tests, but nothing has been implemented till date. 

On June 19, 2008, the MSHA published in the Federal Register, a Request for Information (http //www.msha.gov/REGS/FEDREG/RFI/E8-13633.pdf), with comments dueby early September, as to whether tests exist that can be used for assessing conveyor-belt combustion toxicity and smoke density. Comments had to be identified with RIN 1219-AB60 and sent to MSHA. The information collected will potentially result in developing additional requirements for conveyor mine belts. 

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