[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 97 (Thursday, May 20, 1999)]
[Notices]
[Pages 27605-27606]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-12749]


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DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Mine Safety and Health Administration

DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention


National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health; Public 
Conferences for Persons Interested in Self-Rescuer Protection and Mine 
Emergency Preparedness in the Mining Industry

AGENCY: Mine Safety and Health Administration and the National 
Institute for Occupational Safety and Health.

ACTION: Notice of conferences.

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SUMMARY: The Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) and the 
National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) will host 
a conference on issues and concerns related to self-rescuer protection 
in the mining industry. In addition, MSHA will host a conference on 
mine emergency preparedness. The conferences will run concurrently. The 
purpose of these conferences is to provide an opportunity for an 
exchange of information between the Agencies, self-rescuer 
manufacturers, mining industry representatives, labor representatives, 
and those involved in all areas associated with mine emergency 
preparedness.

DATES: The conferences will run concurrently beginning Tuesday, June 15 
and continue through Thursday, June 17, 1999.

ADDRESSES: The conferences will be held at the National Mine Health and 
Safety Academy located at 1301 Airport Road, Beaver, West Virginia 
(near Beckley, West Virginia).

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Dan Conley, MSHA, at (703) 235-
1358, or Mr. Robert Stein, NIOSH, at (304) 285-5907.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Tentative Self-Rescuer Conference Topics 
are: NIOSH/MSHA self-rescuer certification & quality assurance process; 
NIOSH/MSHA long term self-rescuer field evaluation program; NIOSH/MSHA 
self-rescuer service-life plans and conditions of use requirements; 
NIOSH/MSHA self-rescuer reliability concerns and MSHA's revised 
inspection procedures; and, Discussions and presentations on other mine 
rescue and escape technologies.
    Tentative Mine Emergency Preparedness Conference Topics are: Review 
of material from the first Mine Emergency Preparedness Conference of 
January 1995; Discussion of background and research accomplishments to 
address the issues identified during this first conference; Discussion 
on short term objectives MSHA has undertaken to address the identified 
issues, including an in-depth review of MSHA policy up-dates and 
changes related to mine emergency preparedness; and, Discussion on long 
term objectives MSHA should consider undertaking to improve and 
strengthen mine emergency preparedness.
    The conferences will be open to all interested parties. MSHA and 
NIOSH will provide participants an opportunity to ask questions; submit 
written comments they wish to have included in the record; and provide 
individualized input into the changes to the applicable regulations and 
policies

[[Page 27606]]

through work-shops and break-out sessions. We encourage manufacturers 
and distributors of self-rescue devices, mine rescue apparatus, and 
other equipment that can be utilized to aid in mine escape, evacuation, 
rescue, and recovery operations to attend. We will make space available 
for displays of such items at no cost to the manufacturer or 
distributor.
    If you are interested in attending either conference, you should 
register in advance. You can find conference information, including a 
registration form and tentative topics, at the MSHA Internet site 
(http://www.msha.gov/EVENTS/SCSR/INTRO.HTM). To register, you may mail 
or fax a completed registration form to (304) 256-3251 or contact 
Cheryl Hoffman by electronic mail at [email protected]. Room and board 
are available at the National Mine Health and Safety Academy (the 
Academy). Contact the Academy at (304) 256-3252 for details. If you 
wish to request space for a display please contact Mrs. Jan Keaton, 
from the Academy, at (304) 256-3234.

    Dated: May 13, 1999.
J. Davitt McAteer,
Assistant Secretary for Mine Safety and Health.

    Dated: May 17, 1999.
Marilyn A. Fingerhut,
Chief of Staff, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, 
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
[FR Doc. 99-12749 Filed 5-18-99; 1:33 pm]
BILLING CODE 4510-43-P