MSHA finalizes several deregulatory actions

Effective July 27, the Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) will withdraw regulations that address outdated effective dates and requirements for various industry equipment and procedures.

On June 25, the agency published several final rules based on a series of July 1, 2025, proposals issued after President Trump’s Executive Order directing agencies to “alleviate unnecessary regulatory burdens.” These rules address:

• Approval of conveyor belts in underground coal mines.
• Blacksmith shops at surface metal and nonmetal mines.
• Diesel emission limits for equipment in underground coal mines.
• Permissible flame safety lamps in underground coal mines.

The removal of outdated requirements will help MSHA streamline current requirements and improve the clarity of its standards.