ISSUE DATE: 12/16/10 EXPIRATION DATE: 03/31/2012
PROCEDURE INSTRUCTION LETTER NO. I10-IV-01
FROM: NEAL H. MERRIFIELD
Administrator for Metal and Nonmetal
Mine Safety and Health
SUBJECT: Determining compliance under 30 C.F.R. §§ 56.5002 and 57.5002
Scope
This Procedure Instruction Letter (PIL) applies to all Metal and Nonmetal Mine
Safety and Health enforcement personnel. This PIL applies to those air contaminants
covered under 30 C.F.R. §§ 56/57.5001(a) and (b) and does not apply
to standards for radon, diesel particulate matter, or noise since those standards
contain specific monitoring requirements.
Purpose
The purpose of this PIL is to provide instructions
to inspectors on MSHA’s
standards for surface and underground metal and nonmetal mines pertaining to
surveys for airborne contaminants under 30 C.F.R. §§ 56/57.5002.
Procedure Instructions
Inspectors should consult with their supervisors, the district health specialists,
or appropriate personnel from the Division of Health or the Directorate of
Technical Support in their review and evaluation of an operator’s procedures
for conducting
surveys.
In reviewing operator procedures for implementing 30 C.F.R. §§ 56/57.5002,
inspectors
should determine the following:
(1) Is the operator conducting surveys?
Inspectors should determine if surveys are being or were conducted (e.g. employee
knowledge, records, management knowledge, general appearance of the facility).
Inspectors should consider any methods used by the operator in determining
whether surveys are being conducted.
(2) If MSHA sampling indicates an overexposure, inspectors should consider
the adequacy and frequency of surveys.
(A) Are the surveys being conducted adequate for determining whether controls
are effective in reducing exposure to airborne contaminants?
i. Should determine the type of surveys that are being conducted.
Quantitative surveys include exposure monitoring/sampling, and wipe
sampling. Qualitative surveys include vehicle maintenance, ventilation system
maintenance, dust control system maintenance and walk-through inspections.
ii. Is the person conducting the survey properly trained?
iii. Are the quantitative surveys consistent with established scientific principles
(e.g., NIOSH recommended methods found at
http://cdc.gov/niosh/docs/2003-154/method.html) or is control equipment (e.g.
vehicle cabs, dust control systems) maintained according to manufacturer's
specifications?
(B) Are the surveys being conducted frequently enough for determining whether
controls are effective in reducing exposures to airborne contaminants?
Inspectors should consider the following when determining whether frequency
of the surveys is adequate:
i. Sampling results approach the Threshold Limit Value (TLV).
ii. Changes in the mining operation (e.g., hazards or environmentalagents).
iii. Changes in control equipment used to reduce exposures.
iv. Changes in the work schedule (e.g., if workers worked longer shifts) or
work procedures.
v. Whether controls need routine or special maintenance of controls (e.g.,
vehicle cabs, ventilation systems, dust collection systems). If controlsystems
are not properly functioning, then exposures to air contaminants may exist.
vi. Employee complaints, illnesses, or disease.
Background
MSHA recently issued a Program Policy
Letter on Mine Operator Requirements for Exposure Monitoring of Harmful Airborne
Contaminants. Under
30 C.F.R. §§ 56/57.5002,
a mine operator must conduct dust, gas, mist, and fume surveys as frequently
as necessary to determine the adequacy of control measures.
The purpose of MSHA’s exposure monitoring standards is to help assure
that the miners are not exposed to harmful concentrations of airborne contaminants.
Authority
The Federal Mine Safety and Health Act of 1977, as amended, 30 U.S.C. § 801
et. seq.,
30 C.F.R. §§ 56/57.5002.
Internet Availability
This PIL may be viewed on the Internet by accessing the MSHA home page (www.msha.gov)
then choosing "Compliance Info" and "Procedure
Instruction Letters."
Issuing Office and Contact Persons
Metal/Nonmetal Mine Safety and Health, Division of Health
Reginald J. Richards, DrPH, CIH (202) 693-9632
E-mail: richards.reginald.j@dol.gov
Distribution
Metal and Nonmetal Mine Safety & Health Enforcement Personnel
Office of Assessments Personnel