MSA is issuing this User Safety Notice to inform you of action required for a single production lot of Four Gas Calibration Cylinders (58L). The manufacturer of the cylinders has informed MSA that the torque used to secure the valve to MSA Four Gas Calibration Cylinders in lot 239511 may have been below specification for some cylinders in the lot.

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Honeywell is recalling Fibre-Metal E2 and North Peak A79 hard hats with a manufacture date of April 2016, May 2016, December 2017 or January 2018.  The hard hats can fail to protect users from impact, posing a risk of head injury.  Below is a link to the CPSC’s website page regarding this recall.

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Eaton has identified a potential nonconformance with certain Eaton Heavy Duty 30A and 60A Safety Switches. The safety switch can potentially supply power when the handle is in the “off” position, subjecting the operator of the switch or any downstream equipment to risk of serious bodily injury or death.

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Industrial Scientific created the following bulletin after several refuge MX6 units were found with corrosion on the alkaline battery pack that rendered the units inoperable. These were not in service and had been stored in unknown conditions with batteries installed for extended periods of time without being checked. Industrial Scientific wanted to put out this bulletin to reiterate the correct calibration procedure as it relates to battery replacement and state that if units are taken out of service batteries should be removed from the MX6 to guard against potential corrosion of the battery pack.

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Schneider Electric is recalling “Square D” brand safety switches manufactured between January 1, 2014 and January 18, 2018.  This action is in concert with an alert from the Consumer Product Safety Commission.  The power can stay on when the safety switch handle is in the “OFF” position, posing an electrical shock or electrocution hazard to consumers.  Below is a link to the CPSC’s website page regarding this recall.

See Alert

There has been a field report of excessive heating at the terminal due to a loose connection.  Please alert and distribute this notice to all electricians to review your Lever Action Connectors and determine if shims are needed to prevent the excessive heat.

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Kidde Co., is recalling 134 models of plastic-handled fire extinguishers manufactured between 1973 and present day. This action is in concert with an alert from the Consumer Product Safety Commission. Some extinguishers have been known not to work when needed, others to come apart under pressure - one death has been reported. Some were sold under Kidde's brand, some under the name of other retailers. Kidde will replace all defective models. Below is a link to the CPSC’s website page regarding this recall.

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If your Damascus Corporation MAC-10D transporter has a PO13X4 Brake Valve (pictured below, used for braking and towing of the vehicle) without a brake pedal beside the tram pedals your MAC-10D does not comply with 30 CFR 75.1909(b)(6).

See Alert

Accidental bumping of the Parking Brake High Volume pump Handle could result in a runaway condition

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USDOT announces unrepaired recalled Volvo trucks that may still be operating on the nation’s roadways are in an unsafe condition and are to be immediately placed out-of-service by Federal and State Inspectors

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A critical safety defect that could severely affect the safe operation of Volvo and Mack Titan vehicles due to a faulty two-piece steering shaft has been issues. This condition can lead to separation of the steering shaft without warning and an immediate loss of steering ability and control which may lead to a vehicle crash.

See Alert

For information concerning the MSHA labels coming loose or removed from the lamp.

See Alert

Damascus has completed its retrofit package to update the dual circuit brake system design of the MAC-12 AC personnel transporters

See Alert

For information concerning Koehler-Bright Star LLC's program to upgrade its LI-6000-G Cordless Cap Lamps;

See Alert

MSHA has become aware of several issues affecting MineShield refuge alternatives that may require action by mine operators who use these units.

See Alert

Discrepancies on rebuilt explosion-proof electric motors have been identified during recent mine inspections.

See Alert

Underwriter's Laboratory (UL) determined that Southwire Models 11060S and 12070T digital multimeters examined during their investigation did not comply with the UL IP67 waterproof rating.

See Alert

Damascus is developing a retrofit to update the brake system design.

See Alert

Lithonia Lighting Recalls Emergency Lights Due to Fire Hazard.

See Alert

Best practices to avoid injury or accidents when working with high voltage meters.

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J.H. Fletcher & Co. has developed a guard that can prevent accidents from occuring due to the removal of the tram canopy from Fletcher roof drills. Operators are sussecptible to serious injury or death if using the drill without the canopy or guard in place.

See Alert

An accident occurred in an underground coal mine involving an electrician who received burns to his hands and face. The electrician was using a voltmeter to take a phase-tophase measurement at a 995V receptacle in a power center when an arc occurred, tripping power at the surface.

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A worker was performing a mid-day inspection on their fall protection equipment when a defect in the snap hook was noted. A rivet on the locking/release mechanism was missing rendering the locking mechanism inoperable. In the right circumstances, the snap hook could actually be locked in the open position.

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Capital Safety is aware of an assembly issue with snaphooks manufactured by a supplier. These snaphooks are widely used components in fall protection products. The issue concerns missing or improperly installed rivets.

See Alert

Fletcher Mining Equipment issued an important technical bulletin concerning nozzles on ANSUL fire suppression systems.

Fletcher is offering an upgrade on their equipment to the new ANSUL F-½ fire suppression nozzle. The redesigned F-½ nozzles have a rubber blow-off cap with retainer strap (Part Number 415108). The previous F-½ nozzles utilized the black plastic blow-off cap (Part Number 4120). See attached Fletcher Information Bulletin No. 117.

ANSUL F-½ nozzles (Part Number 16449) have been redesigned to accommodate a rubber blow-off cap with retainer strap. The redesign nozzle (part number is the same for both version of the F-½ nozzles) has a hole on the top the nozzle to enable the rubber cap to 'blow-off' when activated. The retainer strap keeps the cap with the nozzle. An 'R' will be stamped on the redesigned nozzle after the part number to help with identification. The blow off caps can only be used on the ANSUL F-½ fire suppression nozzle for which they were designed. See attached ANSUL Bulletin No. 5713.

Only ANSUL provided blow-off caps can be used on ANSUL fire suppression nozzles. Hydraulic hose protective caps cannot be used as blow-off caps on any ANSUL fire suppression system nozzles.

See Fletcher Information Bulletin No. 117

See ANSUL Bulletin No. 5713

In a recent metal/nonmetal mine fatality, a mechanic was fatally injured while checking for a hydraulic leak on an Atlas Copco ST-8B Scooptram. While checking for a hydraulic leak, the victim leaned into the ejector plate relief port in the back of the loader bucket. The ejector plate of the bucket was retracted, crushing him against the back of the bucket.

Atlas Copco has developed a general hydraulic system safety notice that they are distributing to all of their LHD and Truck customers. The safety notice was developed to remind workers to take the necessary precautions before and during work on a hydraulic system.

The safety notice will be included in all Parts Books and Service Manuals for the model numbers in the attached service news.

See Service News

A Caterpillar (Bucyrus) Model 30M3L Remote Controlled Continuous Miner with a Forced Potato model LOKN remote was involved in a non-fatal accident. During the accident investigation, it was determined that the second remote controller kept on the working section on charge for this continuous miner was used to move the continuous miner immediately after the accident.

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On Sunday, January 9, 2011, a catastrophic failure occurred in an oxygen cylinder fitting connected to the breathable air system in a refuge alternative located in an underground coal mine. The refuge alternative was an inflatable tent design manufactured by the A.L. Lee Corporation, model number 4042-35 manufactured on March 21, 2008. This refuge alternative is equipped with 12 high pressure oxygen cylinders, each pressurized at 4,500 psi. The manufacturer of the failed high pressure fitting is unknown at this time. Once the fitting manufacturer is identified, this alert will be updated with this information.

See Notice

On Sunday, January 9, 2011, a catastrophic failure occurred in an oxygen cylinder fitting connected to the breathable air system in a refuge alternative located in an underground coal mine. The refuge alternative was an inflatable tent design manufactured by the A.L. Lee Corporation, model number 4042-35 manufactured on March 21, 2008. This refuge alternative is equipped with 12 high pressure oxygen cylinders, each pressurized at 4,500 psi. The manufacturer of the failed high pressure fitting is unknown at this time. Once the fitting manufacturer is identified, this alert will be updated with this information.

See Notice

An Equipment Alert and an update have been issued regarding valve and fitting failures on breathable air components of refuge alternatives. On Sunday, January 9, 2011, a catastrophic failure occurred in an oxygen cylinder fitting connected to the breathable air system in a refuge alternative located in an underground coal mine. On January 21, 2011, A. L. Lee reported a second CGA 701 brass fitting failure in a refuge alternative that had been returned to their shop.

See Update

CSE has become aware of a recent event involving the insertion of a CSE SCSR into a pouch manufactured by another company. An operator provided CSE with a SCSR that could not be extracted from its pouch. The identity of the manufacturer of the pouch was not apparent on its face.

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DEWALT has identified a potential safety hazard with certain large angle grinder side handles. We are concerned that under certain circumstances a small number of side handles could exhibit a condition where the handle could break causing the user to lose full control of the unit.

See DeWalt Safety Notice

J.H. Fletcher & Co. ("Fletcher") has previously manufactured a 2-bolt swinger L TOO. The design of this bolter (see attached drawing) has a small T-style ATRS and provides the operator the ability to install two bolts in a straight line by having a boom that can swing from side to side without resetting the ATRS. This design allows the boom to swing and in and out to address the drilling pattern. Approximately 32 machines have been distributed by Fletcher over the years with this design.

For more information, see bulletin.

J.H. Fletcher & Co. (Fletcher) has identified a potential risk on DDR walk-thru machines with mast tilt using worm gear tilt boxes. The boxes, which are located on specific machines, provide the operator the ability to tilt the mast to different angles for drilling the roof and ribs. During a routine drilling process an operator had the mast tilted when the tilt box suddenly gave way. The mast rotated freely inward, narrowly missing the operator, who was standing at his work station.

For more information, see bulletin.

Industrial Scientific Corporation has determined that the GasBadge® Plus single-gas instrument may not properly indicate a low battery condition resulting in a failure to alarm or instrument shut down. As a result, for safety reasons, Industrial Scientific is issuing a recall of all current GasBadge Plus instruments (v2.2 and earlier; manufactured prior to February 2012). MSHA Approval No. 18-A050012-0.

For more information, visit www.indsci.com/gbplusrecall

Owners, Operators and Rebuilders of J.H. Fletcher & Co. Two-Leg Hinged Canopy
In November 2009 an accident occurred at a West Virginia mine. The information obtained by J.H. Fletcher & Co. ("Fletcher") indicates that the roof bolter operator ribbed the tram canopy while tramming the roof bolter. The operator steered the machine into the rib. The damage to the tram canopy cylinder was so severe that the cylinder eye separated from the cylinder rod (Attachment 1). When this event took place the cylinder was no longer connected to the tram canopy and the canopy fell on the operator's head. The bolter had tram canopy extensions installed.

See Notice

Owners of J.H. Fletcher & Co. Model DR and CDR Single Mast Feed Roof Drill Only

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As a result of a fatal accident at the Century Mine in Ohio (USA) on August 8, 2011 involving a base lift jack, Joy has received a number of inquiries concerning whether or not our design is adequate. In this regard, it must first be noted that the base lift jack involved in the August 8, 2011, accident was not a JOY product. In addition, as a reputable supplier of equipment and systems to the mining industry, Joy Mining Machinery wants to assure our customers that we routinely review and evaluate our products for safety compliance and performance. Therefore, the purpose of this Service Bulletin is to inform users of JOY equipment that such a review has been conducted on the JOY powered roof support hydraulic base lift circuits to verify that the circuit does not have any potential issues with respect to pressure intensification as a result of design or functionality.

See Globul Service Bulletin No. GSB0154

MSHA has been made aware of a hazardous condition that may exist in 600 volt and 1000 volt circuit breakers. This includes all frame sizes. The circuit breakers may appear to be new or rebuilt, but they have been changed from the manufacturer's original design. These mining circuit breakers, originally manufactured by Eaton Cutler-Hammer, may have been purchased either directly from the 3rd party or through a mining supply company. There is evidence that some of these circuit breakers have been modified by a 3rd party rebuilder with knock-off 600 volt and 1000 volt covers. The covers are of unknown construction and were not manufactured by Eaton. The labeling affixed to the breakers was also reproduced by the 3rd party rebuilder in an effort to make the circuit breakers look new and legitimate.

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MSA recently became aware through internal and third party tests, as well as from our supplier, Paulson Manufacturing, that certain high impact propionate visors (marked Z87.1+) may not meet the high impact requirements of the ANSI Z87.1-2003 standard.

See Notice

WASHINGTON, D.C. - The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, in cooperation with the Petzl America Inc, announced a voluntary recall of Shock Absorbing Lanyards manufactured before May 2011 by Scorpio and Absorbica. Some lanyards are missing a safety stitch on the attachment loop, which can cause the lanyard to disconnect from the climbing harness, posing a fall hazard to consumers. One fall injury occurred in France due to this condition. Consumers should immediately stop using the lanyards and contact Petzl America Inc. for a free inspection and replacement of any non-conforming products. For additional information, mine operators should contact Petzl America Inc. at (877) 740-3826 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. MT, Monday through Friday or visit the firm's website at www.petzl.com.

See Notice

3M is recalling the THOR family of Self-Retracting Lanyards units manufactured by IKAR from November 01, 2011 to June 25, 2012 (M-, RLD- and 205G- Series) as result of concerns with the brake pad material found in this family of retractable lanyards.

For more information, see notice.

Capital Safety is aware of a reported inadvertent disconnection during use of the locking snaphook used in a series of Y-shaped Protecta lanyards with twin elastic lanyard legs that both attach directly to the eye of the snaphook. The locking snaphook used on these lanyards is part number 9502573.

See Alert

Pyott-Boone Electronics issued a letter to inform users that Pyott-Boone Carbon Monoxide (CO) monitors may experience false detections when a radio frequency transmitter is transmitting nearby. The false detection will cause a detection spike and be recorded on the Atmospheric Monitoring System (AMS) event log. The spike will be an instant maximum value unlike a gradual increase with actual rising of CO levels.

This false detection is not limited to Pyott-Boone CO monitors. Other manufactures of CO monitors will experience the same false detections and/or erratic readings. Inspectors and mine personnel should be informed that a hand-held radio that is transmitting near a CO monitor could affect readings on the CO monitor and create inaccurate readings on the AMS.

Pyott-Boone Electronics and other manufactures are designing CO monitors to be more resistant to radio interference.

See Pyott-Boone letter

A Sandvik 582 scoop (formerly EIMCO) was cited under 30 CFR 75.523-3 for the parking brake not releasing when the hand pump was operated. The same violation may exist on other 580/582 machines. The machines affected are listed below. These scoops have been in the field for years and the braking systems may have already been modified to fix the hand pump feature.

Check the parking brake system on all EIMCO 580/582 scoops for compliance with all provisions of 30 CFR 75.523-3, which covers the hand pump brake release feature.

See Machines Affected

WASHINGTON, D.C. - The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, in cooperation with the firm named below, today announced a voluntary recall of the following consumer product. Consumers should stop using recalled products immediately unless otherwise instructed. It is illegal to resell or attempt to resell a recalled consumer product.

See Notice

Xerebrus Inc. Flare XM-1 cordless cap lamp, in rare cases, may turn off when in close proximity to a high-power UHF handheld radio and not be able to be reset to the on position except by plugging the lamp into a charger. An upgrade was made to the latest release of the Flare XM-1 cap lamp to help eliminate the issue. Customers who experience this issue should contact their place of purchase or Xerebrus for warranty consideration.

For more information, visit http://www.xerebrus.com/.