$1 million issued in Brookwood-Sago mine safety grant money

The U.S. Department of Labor announced $1 million in grants to nine organizations in seven states to support education and training initiatives that will help identify and prevent unsafe working conditions in and around the nation’s mines. Administered by the department’s Mine Safety and Health Administration, the Brookwood-Sago Mine Safety grant program will allow recipients to create training materials, promote…

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MSHA reports 25th, 26th fatalities of 2023

The Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) reported in August that, on July 17, a miner at Holcim’s Swampscott Quarry, Essex County, Mass., died while performing repairs on a gyratory crusher. When a component was being suspended by a crane, a lifting eye welded to the component broke free striking the miner. This is the 25th fatality reported in 2023,…

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First silica hearing held

Louisville Public Media reported in August details of the first Mine Safety and Health Administration hearing to gather comments on the recently proposed silica standards. The regulation would affect every mine, cement plant, and rock quarry in the country regardless of the material produced there. It would add protections for non-coal workers like requiring companies to offer free medical exams…

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MSHA impact inspections yield 242 violations

The U.S. Department of Labor said in August that impact inspections completed at 18 mines in 12 states in June by the Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) resulted in 242 violations. To date, MSHA’s impact inspections in 2023 have identified 1,435 violations, including 411 significant and substantial (S&S) and 22 unwarrantable failure findings. An S&S violation is reasonably likely…

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MSHA impact inspections target 16 mines, yield 279 violations in May

MSHA completed impact inspections at 16 mines in May, issuing 279 violations and one safeguard.  MSHA conducts impact inspections at mines that merit increased agency attention and enforcement due to poor compliance history; previous accidents, injuries and illnesses; and other compliance concerns.  Among the violations, MSHA cited 83 significant and substantial violations. MSHA conducted inspections at mines in Colorado, Indiana,…

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Miner Health Matters

The U.S. Department of Labor’s Mine Safety and Health Administration works to prevent mining injuries, illnesses and fatalities, and promote safe and healthful workplaces for all U.S. miners. The agency name and its mission statement make clear that protecting both miners’ safety and health must be a priority. MSHA said it takes seriously its mandate to conduct inspections; investigate hazard…

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MSHA issues safety alert for fall prevention

The U.S. Mine Safety and Health Administration recently released a safety alert to prevent falls from height to address a lengthy trend of injuries and deaths. According to the agency, 22 miners and contractors have been fatally injured in fall-from-height accidents over the past decade, and more than 1,000 have been disabled or lost time from work over the same…

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Stay alert near chemicals for health, safety: MSHA

Recent train derailments and chemical spills, including several incidents on mine sites, have increased the importance of maintaining awareness about hazardous chemicals used in mining.  Miners working with and around chemicals can be exposed to hazards that result in injuries or illnesses from exposure to chemicals. Safe handling of chemicals can prevent accidents, injuries and illnesses.  MSHA has compiled the…

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