The proposal would apply recommendations compiled by the Technical Study Panel on the Utilization of Belt Air and the Composition and Fire Retardant Properties of Belt Material in Underground Coal Mining and presented to the mining community last December.

The panel was made up of industry experts including government representatives, consultants and education professionals at the order of Department of Labor secretary Elaine Chao in accordance with the MINER Act.

“The objective of this proposed rule is to improve mine safety by significantly reducing the hazard of conveyor belt fires in underground coal mines," said MSHA acting assistant secretary of labor for mine safety and health Richard Stickler.

“Thanks to the unanimous recommendations of the Technical Study Panel, MSHA has published a proposed rule that would include requirements for improved flame-resistant conveyor belts, fire prevention and detection in belt entries, standardised tactile signals on lifelines, and approval of the use of air from the belt entry to ventilate working sections."

Among the recommended changes in the proposed rule include a requirement for operations to install more flame-resistant conveyor belts within one year of the final rule’s effective date, and the agency would permit existing belts to be replaced on an as-needed basis.

The commonly seen point-type heat sensors found in mines now would also need to be replaced with sensors to measure carbon monoxide levels, and smoke sensors would be ordered for installation across all underground operations.

Regulations for improved belt maintenance and standardised “lifeline signals” showing direction of travel, self-contained self-rescuer (SCSR) storage caches, escape obstacles and refuge chamber alternatives are also included in the proposal.

MSHA’s proposal would impact ventilation planning at mines as well, requiring every operation’s primary intake escapeway to possess a higher ventilating pressure than that of its belt entry location and airlocks on escapeway doors at locations of high pressure differential along the escape route.

Minimum and maximum levels of air velocities and a reduction on belt entry dust levels for mines which incorporate belt air to ventilate working sections are also proposed.

The agency is planning four public hearings on the proposal across the US to allow for public input and information gathering on the topic:

Salt Lake City, Utah – August 19

Lexington, Kentucky – August 21

Charleston, West Virginia – August 26

Birmingham, Alabama – August 28

Meanwhile, verbal or written comments on the topic will be accepted by MSHA until September 8.

The agency invites individuals with questions or input to submit via regular mail, email, fax, hand delivery or through its web site, and those wishing to make presentations at any of the public hearings should indicate their intention to the agency at least five days in advance.

While the nation’s largest industry union, the United Mine Workers of America, did not release a public statement reacting to the proposal announcement, representative Phil Smith told the Associated Press it maintains its stance against belt air use.

“We've always maintained that the Mine Act says that you can't use belt air," he said.

“We believe it's a dangerous practice as demonstrated at Aracoma."

He also told the news service that the outlined rules in the proposal go against the MINER Act’s legislation by requiring fire-resistant rather than nonflammable belts.

“That's not what's in the rule, or at least that's not what's in the press release. It means it won't burn. To us, that's very important."