First NIOSH/MSHA Approval for Large-Capacity (Cap 3)

Letter to All Interested Parties

January 15, 2016

The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) and the Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) have approved the first large-capacity (Cap 3) closed-circuit escape respirator (CCER) for use in underground coal mining, under new standards published in 42 C.F.R. Part 84, Subpart O. Approval number TC-13G-0005 was issued to Ocenco, Inc., on January 4, 2016 for a Cap 3 CCER, Model EBA 75 CCER for Mining. Pursuant to 42 C.F.R. §84.301, manufacturers can continue to manufacture, label, and sell Cap 3 CCERs for mining approved under the former standard in Subpart H until 1 year after this approval date, or until January 4, 2017.

All types of CCERs approved under Subpart H that were manufactured and labeled as NIOSH-approved and sold by April 9, 2015, as well as those units manufactured and labeled as NIOSH-approved and sold during the extended time periods pursuant to § 84.301, may continue to be used as NIOSH-approved respirators until the end of their service life. Please refer to the Table of Subpart H-approved respirators for a complete list of those respirators and when they can no longer be manufactured and labeled as NIOSH-approved.

Sincerely yours,

David Chirdon
Chief, Conformity Verification and
Standards Development Branch
National Personal Protective Technology Laboratory

Letter [PDF – 32 KB]