Here’s the announcement, just out this morning from the U.S. Mine Safety and Health Administration:

Haulage machinery in underground coal mines – such as shuttle cars, ram cars and scoops – would have 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.

On Sept. 2, MSHA will publish a proposed rule calling 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.

As most Coal Tattoo readers will recall, MSHA previously finalized a rule to require proximity detection systems on continuous mining machines, and the state of West Virginia issued its own rule to require a phase-in of proximity detection for continuous miners and some other equipment.

Commenting on the latest federal proposal, Joe Main, assistant labor secretary for MSHA, said this morning:

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. It is an important component of the department’s ‘Plan, Prevent and Protect’ strategy for safeguarding all workers.

An advance copy of the rule, scheduled to be published tomorrow in the Federal Register, is available here.