Program Policy Manual - VOLUME V - Mine Safety and Health ...

MSHA PROGRAM POLICY MANUAL VOLUME V
70.207 Bimonthly Sampling; Mechanized Mining Units
(a) Although this provision does not set forth exactly when
during the bimonthly period, the required sampling should be
conducted, it is to the operator's advantage to conduct sampling
during the first month of each bimonthly period because it would
provide an opportunity to collect replacement samples if any
sample is voided.
If the respirable dust standard is changed during a bimonthly
period, dust samples required by this section will be processed in
accordance with the policy described under 70.101.
(b) This section establishes when an operator is required to
begin bimonthly sampling on an MMU after the dust standard has
been changed because of the presence of excessive levels of quartz
dust. It applies only to the bimonthly period immediately
following notification by MSHA and not to the subsequent bimonthly
periods.
(e) If the operator's mining procedures result in the changing of
miners from one occupation to another during a production shift,
the sampling device must remain on or at the designated occupation
(DO). For example, if an operator alternates the duties of the
continuous miner operator on a one-half shift basis between the
continuous miner operator and helper, the dust sampler shall be
worn for one-half of a shift by the continuous miner operator and
the other one-half of a shift by the helper, while each is
operating the continuous mining machine, or the sampler shall
remain on the machine as required by this section.
A change in the designated occupation of an MMU will be considered
after the results of samples collected by MSHA indicate that a
work position other than those identified in this section should
be designated for bimonthly sampling. When the results of a
sampling inspection demonstrate appreciably higher respirable dust
levels at a nondesignated occupation within an MMU, consideration
should be given to changing the designated occupation.
(f)(1) The MMU identification number will remain the same when
individual pieces of equipment within that unit are replaced. The
only time the MMU identification number sequence at a mine will
change is when an existing unit of equipment is permanently
removed from the mine or a new (or different type) unit of
equipment is placed in a mine. The only time a reduced respirable
dust standard associated with an MMU will be eliminated/changed is
April 2012 (Release V-44) 14