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ERISA Employee Benefit Plan Claims Procedure - Information Collection Request

The Department of Labor's Employee Benefits Security Administration (EBSA) has submitted an information collection request (ICR) to OMB under the Paperwork Reduction Act regarding ERISA employee benefit plan claims procedures. The ICR covers requirements for plans to provide claimants with written denial notices containing specific reasons, plan provisions references, and appeal instructions. Public comments are requested by May 4, 2026.

Safety Standard Modification Request - Respirable Dust Protection

MSHA published a notice of petition for modification from Marfork Coal Company, LLC requesting approval to use an alternative respirable dust protection method at the Glen Alum Tunnel Mine in West Virginia. The petitioner seeks to use a 3M Versaflow TR-800-HIK Intrinsically Safe PAPR motor/battery unit, which currently lacks MSHA permissibility certification. Public comments are invited until May 4, 2026.

Mine Safety Modification Decisions

MSHA published a notice listing petitions for modification of mandatory mine safety standards that were granted between July 1, 2025, and December 31, 2025. The notice covers three granted petitions involving 3M Company (Corona Plant, California) and Mach Mining LLC (Mach #1 Mine, Illinois). The affected regulations include 30 CFR 56.13020 (compressed air) and 30 CFR 75.500(d) and 75.507-1(a) (electrical equipment standards).

Petition for Modification - Fan Testing Requirements at Prairie Eagle Underground Mine

MSHA published a notice seeking public comments on a petition for modification filed by Knight Hawk Coal, LLC regarding 30 CFR 75.312(c) fan testing requirements. The petitioner seeks to test the automatic fan signal device at Prairie Eagle Underground Mine (MSHA ID No. 11-03147) every 31 days without stopping the fan. Comments must be submitted by May 4, 2026.

Petition for Modification of Coarse Coal Refuse Backfill Standards

MSHA published a notice seeking public comments on a petition for modification submitted by Kepler Processing Company, LLC regarding 30 CFR 77.214(a) (Refuse Piles; general). The petitioner requests approval to use coarse coal refuse as backfill material for five mine openings at the inactive Road Fork Development Company—Kepler Sewell Mine in West Virginia. Comments are due by May 4, 2026.

Mountain Coal Company Modification Petition for Trailing Cable Requirements

MSHA published a notice seeking public comment on a petition for modification from Mountain Coal Company, LLC regarding trailing cable requirements at the West Elk Mine in Colorado. The petitioner requests authorization to use 1,100 feet of No. 2 AWG G-GC trailing cable for shuttle cars and mobile roof bolters operating at 995 volts AC. Comments must be submitted by May 4, 2026.

Marfork Coal Company petition to modify permissible equipment standard

MSHA published a notice seeking public comments on a petition for modification filed by Marfork Coal Company, LLC regarding its Glen Alum Tunnel Mine in West Virginia. The petitioner requests authorization to use a 3M Versaflow TR-800-HIK Intrinsically Safe Powered Air Purifying Respirator (PAPR) as an alternative compliance method under 30 CFR 75.507-1(a). Comments on the petition must be received by May 4, 2026.

Marfork Coal petitions MSHA for safety standard modifications

MSHA published a notice of a petition for modification filed by Marfork Coal Company, LLC requesting a variance from 30 CFR 75.500(d) to permit use of a 3M Versaflow TR-800-HIK Intrinsically Safe Powered Air Purifying Respirator motor/blower and battery at the Glen Alum Tunnel Mine in West Virginia. The petition claims no battery-powered respirators currently meet MSHA permissibility standards for use in potentially explosive underground atmospheres. MSHA is soliciting public comments on the petition by May 4, 2026.

Knight Hawk Coal Petition - MSHA Safety Standards Modification Request

MSHA published a petition from Knight Hawk Coal requesting modification of existing mandatory safety standards under 30 CFR. The petition is open for public comment through May 4, 2026. This is a standard petition process allowing mine operators to request alternative compliance methods when strict standard application would cause undue hardship.

Prohibited Transaction Exemption 1992-6: Sale of Life Insurance by Employee Benefit Plans

The Department of Labor has published a Federal Register notice seeking public comments on information collection requirements related to Prohibited Transaction Class Exemption (PTE) 1992-6, which permits employee benefit plans to sell individual life insurance or annuity contracts. The notice is part of the OMB review process required under the Paperwork Reduction Act. Comments must be submitted by May 4, 2026.