FederalRegister.gov regulatory documents
Filter the reviewed cache from January 1, 2025 forward by document type, structured agency, publication date, and source-supplied open comment deadline.
The Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) is extending the comment period on the proposed rule titled, "Ventilation Plan Approval Criteria," published in the Federal Register on July 1, 2025. In response to a request for additional time to develop and submit comments on the proposed rule, MSHA is extending the comment period for an additional 30 days--that is, from July 31, 2025, to September 2, 2025.
The Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) is extending the comment period on the proposed rule titled, "Training and Retraining of Miners," published in the Federal Register on July 1, 2025, with an established public comment period that is scheduled to end on July 31, 2025. MSHA is extending the comment period for an additional 30 days--from July 31, 2025, to September 2, 2025.
The Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) is extending the comment period on the proposed rule titled, "Roof Control Plan Approval Criteria," published in the Federal Register on July 1, 2025. In response to a request for additional time to develop and submit comments on the proposed rule, MSHA is extending the comment period for an additional 30 days--that is, from July 31, 2025, to September 2, 2025.
The Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) is extending the comment period on the proposed rule titled, "Electronic Surveying Equipment in Underground Coal Mines," published in the Federal Register on July 1, 2025, with an established public comment period that is scheduled to end on July 31, 2025. In response to a request for additional time to develop and submit comments on the proposed rule, MSHA is extending the comment period for an additional 30 days, from July 31, 2025, to September 2, 2025.
MSHA is extending the comment period on the proposed rule titled, "Powered Air Purifying Respirators (PAPRs) in Underground Mines," published in the Federal Register on July 1, 2025, with an established public comment period that is scheduled to end on July 31, 2025. In response to requests for additional time to develop and submit comments on the proposed rule, MSHA is extending the comment period for an additional 30 days--from July 31, 2025, to September 2, 2025.
MSHA proposes to revise requirements for the contents in mine ventilation plans to eliminate the authority given to the District Manager to require additional provisions. The current standard may violate statutory authority; the Appointments Clause, by vesting significant regulatory authority in District Managers; and the Administrative Procedure Act (APA), by skipping notice and comment.
MSHA proposes to revise its regulations to eliminate provisions that allow District Managers to require changes in, or additions to, training programs. The current regulations appear to violate statutory authority; the Appointments Clause, by vesting significant regulatory authority in District Managers; and the Administrative Procedure Act (APA), by skipping notice and comment related to undesignated and unpredictable requirements.
MSHA is proposing to revise its roof control plan regulations to eliminate the provision that allows the District Manager to require additional measures to be included in plans. The current regulation may violate statutory authority; the Appointments Clause, by vesting significant regulatory authority in District Managers; and the Administrative Procedure Act (APA), by skipping notice and comment.
MSHA is proposing to allow the use of non-permissible Powered Air Purifying Respirators (PAPRs) in specified underground areas of mines, if the equipment meets certain technical specifications and is operated under specific conditions. This proposed rule would codify technical specifications and working conditions to allow the use of non-permissible PAPRs in underground gassy mines. This proposed rule would reduce burden because mine operators would no longer need to submit a petition for modification to use non-permissible PAPRs.
MSHA is proposing to allow the use of electronic surveying equipment in high-hazard areas of underground coal mines, if the equipment meets certain technical specifications and is operated under specific conditions. This proposed rule would codify technical specifications and working conditions in MSHA standards to allow the use of electronic surveying equipment in underground gassy mines. This proposed rule would reduce burdens on underground coal mine operators because mine operators would no longer need to submit a petition for modification to use non-permissible electronic surveying equipment.
MSHA proposes to rescind requirements for the final mining of pillars. This practice is outdated and no longer used due to safety concerns.
MSHA is proposing to remove and revise provisions for metal and nonmental (MNM) mines and coal mines regarding the use of trolleys for transportation of mined ore, coal, material, and personnel. Trolleys are an outdated technology that have been replaced by more efficient belt conveyor haulage systems for transporting mined ore and coal. Diesel and battery-operated mobile equipment are now used to transport personnel and equipment. Trolleys are no longer used in MNM or coal mines and there is no anticipated future use of this legacy equipment in MNM and coal mines.
MSHA is proposing to revise 30 CFR part 75 by removing outdated requirements for the approval process for conveyor belts used in underground coal mines. These revisions would streamline the current requirements for underground coal operators while maintaining the same level of protections for miners who work with such equipment.
MSHA is proposing to revise 30 CFR part 72 by removing outdated requirements for diesel particulate matter (DPM) emission limits for permissible diesel-powered equipment and non-permissible heavy-duty diesel-powered equipment operated in underground coal mines. These revisions would streamline the current requirements for underground coal mine operators while maintaining the same level of protections for miners who work with such equipment.
MSHA is proposing to revise 30 CFR part 75 by removing flame safety lamps from the list of permissible electric face equipment that can be operated in underground coal mines. This revision would maintain the same level of protection for miners because it removes outdated technology that is no longer used in underground coal mines.
MSHA proposes to revise title 30 of the Code of Federal Regulations (30 CFR) part 75 by removing requirements for methods in measuring luminous intensity with a photometer. Removing this provision would provide greater flexibility in measurement procedures while maintaining protection for miners.
MSHA proposes to revise title 30 of the Code of Federal Regulations (30 CFR) part 75 by removing requirements for the use of permissible electric face equipment in coal seams above the water table. Removing these provisions would not reduce protections afforded to miners.
MSHA is proposing to rescind requirements for the maintenance of drill equipment and inspection of drilling areas before starting drilling operations at surface metal and nonmetal mines. Removing these provisions would not reduce protections afforded to miners because the requirements are duplicative and covered elsewhere in 30 CFR part 56.
MSHA proposes to revise title 30 of the Code of Federal Regulations (30 CFR) part 56 by removing duplicative requirements for aerial tramways. Removing these provisions would not reduce protections afforded to miners because they are unnecessary and duplicative of information elsewhere in 30 CFR part 56.
MSHA is proposing to revise 30 CFR part 57 by removing outdated requirements for miners' exposures to diesel particulate matter (DPM) in underground metal and nonmetal mines (MNM). These revisions would streamline the requirements for DPM for underground MNM mine operators while maintaining the same level of protection for miners.
MSHA is proposing to revise 30 CFR part 75 by removing duplicative requirements for electric cap lamps and other electric lamps in underground coal mines. These changes would clarify the permissibility requirements for electric cap lamps and other lamps while maintaining safety protections for miners using such equipment.
MSHA is proposing to revise 30 CFR part 47 to allow electronic access to all Hazard Communication (HazCom) materials at no cost to miners. This change would ensure miners have access to information about the chemical hazards where they work while reducing paperwork burdens for operators.
MSHA is proposing to revise 30 CFR part 57 to remove outdated requirements regarding blacksmith shops located at surface metal and nonmetal mines. Removal of this standard would not result in a reduction of safety protection for miners at surface metal and nonmetal mines.
MSHA is proposing to revise 30 CFR part 75 to remove outdated requirements regarding the installation of foam generator systems located in underground coal mines. Removal of this standard would not result in the reduction of safety protections for miners at these mines.
MSHA is eliminating outdated requirements for blacksmith shops located at surface areas of underground metal and nonmetal (MNM) mines. These provisions are being removed from MSHA's regulations because blacksmith shops are no longer used by MNM mines.
MSHA is removing flame safety lamps from the list of permissible electric face equipment that can be operated in underground coal mines. This provision is being removed from MSHA's regulations because flame safety lamps are an outdated technology that is no longer used in underground coal mines.
MSHA is removing outdated flame-resistance approval requirements for conveyor belts used in underground coal mines. These requirements are being removed from MSHA's regulations because they contain outdated effective dates and are no longer applicable.
MSHA is eliminating outdated requirements for diesel particulate matter (DPM) emission limits for permissible diesel-powered equipment and non-permissible heavy-duty diesel-powered equipment operated in underground coal mines. These requirements are being removed from MSHA's regulations because they contain outdated effective dates that are no longer applicable.
As required by statute, the Department of Labor annually publishes a final rule updating the civil monetary penalties it assesses. The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) did not publish its October 2025 Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (CPI-U) data due to a lapse in funding. Because the relevant law requires that annual penalty adjustments be based specifically on October CPI-U data--with no alternative calculation allowed--the 2026 adjustment is cancelled entirely.
MSHA is issuing this notification following a judicial stay of the compliance deadlines established in the 2024 final rule titled "Lowering Miners' Exposure to Respirable Crystalline Silica and Improving Respiratory Protection" (2024 Silica Rule). The 2024 Silica Rule made conforming amendments for metal and nonmetal (MNM) standards that are scheduled to take effect on April 8, 2026. Since a judicial stay is in effect, this notification delays the conforming amendments indefinitely, pending judicial review.
The Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) is amending its published regulations to update the Agency's Headquarters address from Arlington, VA to its new location in Washington, DC.
The U.S. Department of Labor (Department) is publishing this final rule to adjust for inflation the civil monetary penalties assessed or enforced by the Department, pursuant to the Federal Civil Penalties Inflation Adjustment Act of 1990 as amended by the Federal Civil Penalties Inflation Adjustment Act Improvements Act of 2015 (Inflation Adjustment Act). The Inflation Adjustment Act requires the Department to annually adjust its civil money penalty levels for inflation no later than January 15 of each year. The Inflation Adjustment Act provides that agencies shall adjust civil monetary penalties notwithstanding section 553 of the Administrative Procedure Act (APA). Additionally, the Inflation Adjustment Act provides a cost- of-living formula for adjustment of the civil penalties. Accordingly, this final rule sets forth the Department's 2025 annual adjustments for inflation to its civil monetary penalties.
