{"abstract":"The Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) is issuing an emergency temporary standard (ETS) under section 101(b) of the Federal Mine Safety and Health Act of 1977 in response to the grave danger that miners face when underground seals separating abandoned areas from active workings fail. MSHA has concluded from its investigations of mine explosions that occurred and other recent reports, that additional immediate action is necessary to protect miners. This ETS includes requirements to strengthen the design, the construction, the maintenance, and the repair of seals, as well as requirements for sampling and controlling atmospheres behind seals. It also increases the level of overpressure for new seals, thus implementing the requirements of the Mine Improvement and New Emergency Response (MINER) Act of 2006.","action":"Emergency temporary standard; Notice of public hearings; Notice of close of comment period.","agencies":[{"raw_name":"DEPARTMENT OF LABOR","name":"Labor Department","id":271,"url":"https://www.federalregister.gov/agencies/labor-department","json_url":"https://www.federalregister.gov/api/v1/agencies/271","parent_id":null,"slug":"labor-department"},{"raw_name":"Mine Safety and Health Administration","name":"Mine Safety and Health Administration","id":288,"url":"https://www.federalregister.gov/agencies/mine-safety-and-health-administration","json_url":"https://www.federalregister.gov/api/v1/agencies/288","parent_id":271,"slug":"mine-safety-and-health-administration"}],"body_html_url":"https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/full_text/html/2007/05/22/07-2535.html","cfr_references":[{"chapter":null,"citation_url":null,"part":75,"title":30}],"citation":"72 FR 28796","comment_url":null,"comments_close_on":"2007-07-06","correction_of":null,"corrections":[],"dates":"This emergency temporary standard is effective May 22, 2007. This standard must be replaced with a final rule within 9 months. MSHA will hold public hearings on July 10, 2007, July 12, 2007, July 17, 2007 and July 19, 2007 at the locations listed in the Public Hearings section below under the SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION section of this document. If individuals or organizations wish to make an oral presentation for the record, the Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) is asking that you submit your request at least 5 days prior to the hearing dates. The comment period will close on July 6, 2007.","disposition_notes":null,"docket_ids":[],"dockets":[],"document_number":"07-2535","effective_on":"2007-05-22","end_page":28817,"executive_order_notes":null,"executive_order_number":null,"full_text_xml_url":"https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/full_text/xml/2007/05/22/07-2535.xml","html_url":"https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2007/05/22/07-2535/sealing-of-abandoned-areas","images":{},"images_metadata":{},"json_url":"https://www.federalregister.gov/api/v1/documents/07-2535?publication_date=2007-05-22","mods_url":"https://www.govinfo.gov/metadata/granule/FR-2007-05-22/07-2535/mods.xml","not_received_for_publication":null,"page_length":22,"page_views":{"count":216,"last_updated":"2026-08-23 18:15:06 -0400"},"pdf_url":"https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/FR-2007-05-22/pdf/07-2535.pdf","presidential_document_number":null,"proclamation_number":null,"public_inspection_pdf_url":null,"publication_date":"2007-05-22","raw_text_url":"https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/full_text/text/2007/05/22/07-2535.txt","regulation_id_number_info":{"1219-AB52":{"issue":"200710","html_url":"https://www.federalregister.gov/regulations/1219-AB52/sealing-of-abandoned-areas","title":"Sealing of Abandoned Areas","xml_url":"http://www.reginfo.gov/public/do/eAgendaViewRule?pubId=200710&RIN=1219-AB52&operation=OPERATION_EXPORT_XML","priority_category":"Other Significant"}},"regulation_id_numbers":["1219-AB52"],"regulations_dot_gov_info":{"checked_regulationsdotgov_at":"2011-11-12T21:52:29Z"},"regulations_dot_gov_url":null,"significant":true,"signing_date":null,"start_page":28796,"subtype":null,"title":"Sealing of Abandoned Areas","toc_doc":"Abandoned areas; sealing","toc_subject":"Coal mine safety and health:","topics":["Mine safety and health"],"type":"Rule","volume":72}