Types of Diesel-Powered Generators

Diesel Emissions and Particulates:

• A commenter questioned whether these generators would be classifiedas heavy-duty diesel-powered equipment.

• This issue is beyond the scope of this rulemaking because it does not address the electrical safety ofgrounding circuits for diesel-powered electrical generators.

• Examples of standards that address the types of diesel generators are Sec.

• Several commenters raised concerns that the proposed rule did not address any limits for diesel emissions and particulates emitted into the mine atmosphere as a health risk to miners.

• One commenter stated that the proposed rule should include carbon monoxide and nitrogen oxide monitoring on the inby equipment operator while the diesel generator was used to take equipment in and out of the mine.

• Another commented that the diesel particulate emitted into the mine atmosphere is detrimental to miner health.

Fire Hazards:

• These issues are beyond the scope of this rulemaking which addresses the electrical safety of grounding circuits for diesel-powered electrical generators.

• These issues are addressed by other standards concerning emissions requirements of diesel-powered generators.

• One commenter stated that diesel-powered generators are fire hazards and could be placed in areas where smoke could overtake the miners.

• Another commented that diesel-powered generators are a fire hazard because the proposed rule failed to require a fire suppression system.

Moving Equipment:

• We disagree with these commenters that the use of diesel-powered electrical generators is a fire hazard.

• We have found that any previous safety concerns such as explosion, fire, and shock hazards initially associated with the use of diesel-powered electrical generators have been sufficiently addressed by advances in technology.

• Rather, we recognize that diesel-powered electrical generator equipment and circuit design improvements in combination with sensitive electrical circuit protections actually reduce fire, explosion, and shock hazards.

• Moreover, during the 13 years these diesel generators have been approved through the use of PFM for use in underground mines, and we have received no reported incidents of mine fires resulting from their use
  

Maintenance of Equipment:

• In addition, these issues are beyond the scope of this rulemaking- electrical safety of grounding circuits for diesel-powered electrical generators, and they are addressed by other existing safety standards.

• For example, Sec. 75.380 (Escapeways; bituminous and lignite mines) requires two separate and distinct escapeways for miners to escape during emergency situations in an underground coal mine, to address any smoke hazard.

• Section 75.1909(j)(3) (Nonpermissible diesel-powered equipment; design and performance requirements) requires an automatic fire suppression system to address fire hazards.

• This fire suppression system for diesel-powered equipment applies to the diesel-powered equipment at issue here.
  

• Finally, all other examination requirements in 30 CFR part 75 for diesel-powered equipment apply.

• In a matter related to fire hazards of diesel-powered generators, we received a comment on safe operating temperatures of equipment being powered by the diesel generators.