September 1, 2020 - The Mine Safety and Health Administration announces that the criteria for certifying coal mine rescue teams (30 CFR 49.50) remain in effect, without changes, following a five-year review.

The Mine Improvement and New Emergency Response (MINER) Act of 2006 requires mine operators to certify each year the qualifications of mine rescue teams that provide mine rescue coverage at underground coal mines at all times when miners are underground. The law requires MSHA to update the certification criteria every five years. Following a review, MSHA determined that no changes are necessary to the existing criteria.

Learn more about mine rescue on MSHA’s website: www.msha.gov.

Miners and mine operators can find safety and health information on MSHA.gov.