Federal regulations require mining products destined for use in underground coal & gassy underground mines, be approved or certified to MSHA (Mine Safety and Health Administration) standards or non-MSHA Product Safety Standards – equivalent to the applicable product approval requirements having the same degree of protection.

Under MSHA’s Subchapter B – Testing, Evaluation, and Approval of Mining Products – Part 6, the U.S. Department of Labor has mandated that MSHA accept testing and evaluation by recognized independent laboratories in lieu of MSHA performing their own testing and evaluation.

Products required to be evaluated and tested range from small electronic devices to large mining systems:

  • Battery Powered Mobile Machines
  • Batteries for Mobile Machines
  • X/P Connection Boxes/Enclosures
  • X/P Plug and Receptacles/Connectors
  • Diesel Electronics
  • Electric Cap Lamps
  • X/P Electric Motors
  • Permissible Fans
  • Flashlights
  • Ground Check (Wire) Monitors
  • Intrinsically Safe Instruments
  • Intrinsically Safe Relays
  • Lighting Systems
  • Communication Systems
  • Multi-Gas Detectors – Handheld
  • Machine Methane Monitoring Systems
  • Telephone and Signaling Devices
  • Water Pumps
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MSHA Approval

MSHA will accept testing and evaluation performed by an independent laboratory for purposes of MSHA product approval provided that they receive:

  • Written evidence of the laboratory’s independence and current recognition by a laboratory accrediting organization
  • Complete technical explanation of how the product complies with each requirement in the applicable MSHA product approval requirements
  • Identification of components or features of the product that are critical to the safety of the product
  • All documentation, including drawings and specifications, as submitted to the independent laboratory by the applicant

Non-MSHA Standards

MSHA will accept equivalent non-MSHA product safety standards, assuming they provide the same degree of protection. With modifications, these standards are accepted:

  • IEC 60079-0, Fourth Edition, 2004-01
  • IEC 60079-1, Fifth Edition, 2003-11
● Do you have products destined for use in mines?
● Do you need faster, less costly approvals and want to eliminate conducting duplicate tests & evaluations?
● Want the security of having testing conducted by the first lab accredited by OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration) under the Nationally Recognized Testing Laboratory (NRTL) program and the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) IECEx Scheme?

If so, We can help!