30 USC § 875 - Emergency shelters; construction; contents; implementation plans

---
identifier: "/us/usc/t30/s875"
source: "usc"
legal_status: "official_prima_facie"
title: "30 USC § 875 - Emergency shelters; construction; contents; implementation plans"
title_number: 30
title_name: "MINERAL LANDS AND MINING"
section_number: "875"
section_name: "Emergency shelters; construction; contents; implementation plans"
chapter_number: 22
chapter_name: "MINE SAFETY AND HEALTH"
subchapter_number: "III"
subchapter_name: "INTERIM MANDATORY SAFETY STANDARDS FOR UNDERGROUND COAL MINES"
positive_law: false
currency: "119-84"
last_updated: "2026-04-17"
format_version: "1.1.0"
generator: "[email protected]"
source_credit: "(Pub. L. 91–173, title III, § 315, Dec. 30, 1969, 83 Stat. 787.)"
---


# § 875. Emergency shelters; construction; contents; implementation plans

The Secretary or an authorized representative of the Secretary may prescribe in any coal mine that rescue chambers, properly sealed and ventilated, be erected at suitable locations in the mine to which persons may go in case of an emergency for protection against hazards. Such chambers shall be properly equipped with first aid materials, an adequate supply of air and self-contained breathing equipment, an independent communication system to the surface, and proper accommodations for the persons while awaiting rescue, and such other equipment as the Secretary may require. A plan for the erection, maintenance, and revisions of such chambers and the training of the miners in their proper use shall be submitted by the operator to the Secretary for his approval.

---

**Source Credit**: (Pub. L. 91–173, title III, § 315, Dec. 30, 1969, 83 Stat. 787.)

## Editorial Notes

### Effective Date

Section operative 90 days after , except to the extent an earlier date is specifically provided for in , see , set out as a note under .

## Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

### Regulations

> “Not later than
> 
> , the Secretary of Labor shall propose regulations pursuant to section 315 of the Federal Coal Mine Health and Safety Act of 1969 [
> 
> ], consistent with the recommendations of the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health pursuant to section 13 of the MINER Act (
> 
> ) [
> 
> ], requiring rescue chambers, or facilities that afford at least the same measure of protection, in underground coal mines. The Secretary shall finalize the regulations not later than
> 
> .”

, , , provided that: