[Code of Federal Regulations]
[Title 30, Volume 1]
[Revised as of July 1, 2002]
From the U.S. Government Printing Office via GPO Access
[CITE: 30CFR49.3]

[Page 237-238]
 
                       TITLE 30--MINERAL RESOURCES
 
  CHAPTER I--MINE SAFETY AND HEALTH ADMINISTRATION, DEPARTMENT OF LABOR
 
PART 49--MINE RESCUE TEAMS--Table of Contents
 
Sec. 49.3  Alternative mine rescue capability for small and remote mines.

    (a) If an underground mine is small and remote, an operator may 
provide for an alternative mine rescue capability. For the purposes of 
this part only, consideration for small and remote shall be given where 
the total underground employment of the operator's mine and any 
surrounding mine(s) within two hours ground travel time of the 
operator's mine is less than 36.
    (b) An application for alternative mine rescue capability shall be 
submitted to the District Manager for the district in which the mine is 
located for review and approval.
    (c) Each application for an alternative mine rescue capability shall 
contain:
    (1) The number of miners employed underground at the mine on each 
shift;
    (2) The distances from the two nearest mine rescue stations;
    (3) The total underground employment of mines within two hours 
ground travel time of the operator's mine;
    (4) The operator's mine fire, ground, and roof control history;
    (5) The operator's established escape and evacuation plan;
    (6) A statement by the operator evaluating the usefulness of 
additional refuge chambers to supplement those which may exist;
    (7) A statement by the operator as to the number of miners willing 
to serve on a mine rescue team;
    (8) The operator's alternative plan for assuring that a suitable 
mine rescue capability is provided at all times when miners are 
underground; and
    (9) Other relevant information about the operator's mine which may 
be requested by the District Manager.
    (d) A copy of the operator's application shall be posted at the 
mine. Where a miners' representative has been designated, the operator 
shall also provide the representative with a copy of the application.
    (e) In determining whether to approve an application for alternative 
compliance, the District Manager shall consider:
    (1) The individual circumstances of the small and remote mine;
    (2) Comments submitted by, or on behalf of, any affected miner; and
    (3) Whether the alternative mine rescue plan provides a suitable 
rescue capability at the operator's mine.
    (f) Where alternative compliance is approved by MSHA, the operator 
shall adopt the alternative plan and post a copy of the approved plan 
(with appropriate MSHA mine emergency telephone numbers) at the mine for 
the miners' information. Where a miners' representative has been 
designated, the operator shall also provide the representative with a 
copy of the approved plan.
    (g) The operator shall notify the District Manager of any changed 
condition

[[Page 238]]

or factor materially affecting information submitted in the application 
for alternative mine rescue capability.
    (h)(1) An approved plan for alternative mine rescue capability shall 
be subject to revocation or modification for cause by MSHA, where it is 
determined that a condition or factor has changed which would materially 
alter the operator's mine rescue capability. If such action is 
contemplated, the operator will be notified, and given an opportunity to 
be heard before the appropriate District Manager.
    (2) If an application for alternative compliance is denied or 
revoked, the District Manager shall provide the reason for such denial 
or revocation in writing to the operator. The operator may appeal this 
decision in writing to the Administrator for Coal Mine Safety and Health 
or the Administrator for Metal and Nonmetal Mine Safety and Health, as 
appropriate, 1100 Wilson Blvd., Room 2424 (Coal) or Room 2436 (Metal and 
Nonmetal), Arlington, Virginia 22209-3939.

[45 FR 47002, July 11, 1980, as amended at 67 FR 38385, June 4, 2002]