The RFI, which was first released on June 26, identifies mobile equipment at surface mines to be bulldozers, front-end loaders and trucks, while it includes belt conveyors for use in both surface and underground mines.

The meetings will begin August 7 in Birmingham, Alabama, followed by August 9 in Dallas, Texas, and August 21 in Reno, Nevada. In September, the agency will host meetings in Beckley, West Virginia, on September 11, Albany, New York, on September 20 and at its headquarters in Arlington, Virginia, on September 25.

MSHA is also organising a webinar for those unable to attend the other gatherings. It has been scheduled for August 16 at 11am EDT.

In addition to gathering data from its stakeholders on technology and safety improvement practices, MSHA will also offer technical assistance and develop best practices and training materials relating to the hazards of mobile equipment and belt conveyors.

The regulator's RFI is part of a larger initiative to reduce accidents involving both powered haulage and belt conveyors. Over the calendar year 2017, the US recorded 28 fatalities, 14 of which involved one of those items.