Mine equipment can now use modern safety standards, not just 1970s rules

The US Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) has updated its rules for electric equipment used in gassy mines. Manufacturers can now use eight modern industry safety standards instead of only MSHA's older, specific requirements.

For decades, equipment makers had to meet MSHA's unique testing rules, even if their products already met widely accepted, newer safety standards. This meant slower adoption of safer, more advanced technology in mines. Now, companies can get approval faster by showing compliance with current industry best practices, which should bring more modern equipment into mines more quickly.