Scheduled for March 13 at the National Press Club in Washington, DC, MSHA said the meeting is intended to solicit comment and obtain “technical information with respect to technology used for underground communications and tracking of underground miners in order to improve mine rescue capabilities in both coal and in metal and nonmetal mines”.

The event, which it said will be held in an informal style, will begin at 8.30am local time. Opening remarks by MSHA will be given, followed by an opportunity for those in attendance to speak about issues, especially those presented in MSHA’s Request for Information 71 FR 4224, published January 25.

The agency has asked for all prospective speakers to give at least five days notice in submitting requests to speak at the meeting. Also, those speaking on technical topics are asked to “address permissibility and intrinsic safety”

Requests to speak will be handled by the MSHA Office of Standards, Regulations and Variances, (202) 693-9440, fax (202) 693-9441, or by e-mailing Yvonne Quinn at quinn.yvonne@dol.gov. The office asks that those making requests reference regulatory information number RIN 1219-AB44.

Once all scheduled presenters have been granted the opportunity to address the panel and audience, the agency said it would open the floor to those making same-day requests. Following the meeting, a comment period will continue until March 27. All comments received by MSHA will be posted to its website, www.msha.gov.

Following the agency’s standard protocol, a transcript of the meeting will be available on the website as a public meeting record.

For further information, contact MSHA acting director of the Office of Standards, Regulations and Variances at stone.robert@dol.gov, (202) 693-9440 or by fax at (202) 693-9441.