Closed-Circuit Escape Respirators; Guidance for Industry; Availability
December 2016
NIOSH Docket Number 285, CDC-2016-0121
NIOSH announced the publication of a guidance document addressing the availability of closed-circuit escape respirators (CCERs), known in the mining community as self-contained self-rescuers (SCSRs), for purchase and the readiness of respirator manufacturers to comply with the provisions in Part 84, Subpart O, of Title 42 of the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR). Although manufacturers are no longer authorized to manufacture, label, and sell SCSRs approved in accordance with testing standards in Part 84, Subpart H, since January 4, 2017, the guidance document announced that NIOSH does not intend to revoke any certificate of approval for such Subpart H SCSRs that are manufactured, labeled, or sold prior to January 4, 2018, provided that there is no cause for revocation under existing NIOSH regulation.
To view the notice and related materials, visit http://www.regulations.gov and enter CDC-2016-0121 in the search field and click "Search."
Reference Documents
- Federal Register Notice: FR Notice 12-28-16 [PDF - 205 KB]
- Federal Register Notice: Federal Register Notice [PDF - 201 KB] - Final Guidance
- Background Information:
- Closed-Circuit Escape Respirators; 42 CFR Part 84, Subpart O Compliance; Guidance for Industry
- Steven K. Berning, Ocenco Incorporated, letter to Mr. Joseph A. Main, Assistant Secretary of Labor, MSHA and John Howard, Director, NIOSH, December 12, 2016 [This letter was marked “confidential” and is not available to the public.]
- Allen Dupree, Contura Energy, letter to Maryann D’Alessandro, November 23, 2016, Subject: Concerns regarding SCSR Rule
- John Howard, Director, NIOSH, letter to Joe Main, Assistant Secretary of Labor, MSHA, December 16, 2016
- Joe Main, Assistant Secretary of Labor, MSHA, letter to John Howard, Director, NIOSH, December 14, 2016
- Scott Shearer, CSE Corporation, letter to Maryann D’Alessandro, Director, NPPTL, Subject: Cap 3 Closed-Circuit Escape Respirators Transition Plan, November 4, 2016
- Page last reviewed: February 28, 2017
- Page last updated: February 28, 2017
- Content source:
- National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health Education and Information Division