MSHA will publish a new proposed rule on September 2, 2015 pertaining to haulage machinery in underground coal mines.  The proposed rule would require equipment such as shuttle cars, ram cars and scoops to be equipped with technology that prevents miners from becoming struck, pinned or crushed, as per a proposed rule from the Mine Safety and Health Administration.

This proposed proximity detection system rule would better protect miners from being crushed or pinned in the confined underground mine spaces where large equipment is constantly in motion,” said Joseph A. Main, assistant secretary of labor for mine safety and health. “It is an important component of the department’s ‘Plan, Prevent and Protect’ strategy for safeguarding all workers.”

Specifically, the proposed rule will call for proximity detection systems on underground coal hauling systems used on the mining section. Proximity detection is a technology that uses electronic sensors to detect motion and the distance between a miner and a machine. These systems provide audible and visual warnings, and automatically stop moving machines before miners are injured.

More information is available here.  Interested parties may submit a comment to the proposed rule by December 1, 2015.