April 8, 2024 -

Coal Mine Rescue Team Members, Trainers, and Problem Designers:

As a reminder – The opening statement from the 2024 Coal Mine Rescue Rules regarding “General Information for Conducting 2024 Mine Rescue Contests” is as follows:

“Mine Rescue Rules were designed as a training tool for mine rescue teams. The gas levels, limits, travel distances, water levels, etc. were developed for contest purposes only. Discretion should be used in actual mine emergency situations.

The Holmes Mine Rescue Association (“HMRA”) Coal Mine Rescue Rules Sub-Committee will develop the rules for mine rescue competitions and submit them to the HMRA Advisory Committee for approval. Once approved by HMRA, the rules will be presented to MSHA for review and acceptance. Once accepted by MSHA, the rules will serve as the “MSHA- recognized rules” as per 30 CFR § 49.60(a)(2) and will be used for mine rescue contests in order for the teams to receive credit under 30 CFR § 49.20(a)(2) for participation in local mine rescue contests.

The Director of the respective mine rescue contest will be responsible for coordinating a review of the mine rescue field problem(s) and written examination questions prior to the contest to ensure they follow the MSHA-recognized rules. The Contest Director should direct any rule interpretation questions regarding the design of a mine rescue problem or written examination questions to the Chairman of the HMRA Coal Mine Rescue Rules Sub-Committee.”

As stated, the Contest Director is responsible for coordinating a review of the mine rescue field problem(s) and ensuring they follow the “MSHA-recognized rules”.  The Contest Director is also directly responsible to obtain rule interpretations from the Chaiman of the HMRA Coal Mine Rescue Rules Sub-Committee.  The interpretation of any rule and their application to the design of the mine rescue problem provided by the Chaiman of the HMRA Coal Mine Rescue Rules Sub-Committee is FINAL.  Coal mine rescue teams may not receive Part 49 credit for participation in local mine rescue contests that do not adhere to the “MSHA-recognized rules” that are published on MSHA’s website.  

Regards,

Jeff Kravitz