MSHA HANDBOOK SERIES - PH13-V-1 - Mine Safety and Health ...

GENERAL COAL MINE INSPECTION PROCEDURES AND
INSPECTION TRACKING SYSTEM HANDBOOK CHAPTER 4
labeled with the date, time, person collecting the sample, and the mine location. The
bag should be filled two times and emptied after each filling by rolling the bag to
expel any air. This process ensures that the gas sample bag has been purged of any
contaminate atmosphere. The gas sample bag should then be filled to approximately
¾ full or ½ full if the sample is to be shipped by air.
First response air sampling equipment is being placed in CMS&H offices so that a unit
is within approximately 1 hour of any underground coal mine. This results in a
complete set of the above equipment being located in each Coal office. The vacuum
pump, flame arrester and tubing should be maintained for mine emergency use only.
The ATX-620 detector or equivalent detector should be used for inspection activities
such as evaluating the atmosphere behind seals. Each District Manager will
designate one person (supervisor, if available) in the office where these units are
located to be responsible for maintaining the readiness of the equipment, including the
ATX-620 detector. Each set of equipment should be checked at least quarterly to
determine that it is ready for use if a mine emergency were to occur. The quarterly
checks should be documented and the records maintained for 3 years. This check
should note when the monthly calibrations of the ATX-620 or equivalent detector
were performed and who performed these checks.
Since the ATX-620 detector or equivalent detector will be used in inspection work, the
use of this instrument must be tracked by a log maintained in the office. Tracking who
is using the detector will permit the responsible person to make the necessary contacts
to arrange for the detector to be moved to the site of the mine emergency in a timely
manner. Using this detector for inspection activities will help ensure the unit is always
checked for proper operation and the required “bump checks” and calibration checks
are conducted. (Refer to Air Sample Schematic for further guidance.)
MSHA should ensure that only necessary and appropriate parties are granted access to
the mine site and surface areas. Persons permitted onsite may include mine
employees, necessary contractors or consultants, labor representatives, mine rescue
teams and support personnel, state and local government officials who have some
responsibility at the operation, law enforcement, ambulances and medical personnel,
fire department personnel, vendors delivering necessary supplies, food suppliers, and
others deemed necessary to the emergency operation. Other persons such as elected
officials, clergy, etc., who have no direct role in the rescue and recovery may be
permitted access on a case-by-case basis following consultation with MSHA
Headquarters. High-level elected officials, such as a Governor or U.S. Congressional
members, should be allowed onsite with immediate notification to Headquarters.
Family members may be permitted in designated areas unless nearby facilities are
Release 1 (February 2013) 4-24