The U.S. Department of Labor’s Mine Safety and Health Administration launched an app for use on iPhone and Android devices that will help get timely information directly to miners and members of the mining community. The app allows miners to easily use the tool at mine sites and outside of working hours to search for best safety and health practices…
Read MoreCategory: MSHA Update
Court affirms MSHA citation against KenAmerican Resources
A federal appeals court has ruled unanimously that KenAmerican Resources violated the Mine Safety and Health Act more than a decade ago by giving underground miners advance notice that Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) inspectors were conducting an inspection. The 6th Circuit Court of Appeals’ decision on May 11 is the latest action in a long-standing litigation involving an…
Read MoreMSHA Reports Eighth Fatality
The Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) reported that on Feb. 28, a contract miner died when he was crushed between the rib and a single boom face drill. The victim was alongside the drill using the onboard tram lever controls when the accident occurred because the remote control was inoperable. This is the eighth fatality reported in 2022, and…
Read MoreFinal report released for 2021 Wyoming machinery death
MSHA recently released its final report for a fatal machinery incident that occurred July 21 of last year at the Thunder Basin Coal Black Thunder surface coal mine in Wyoming.
Read MoreMSHA issues reports for year’s first four fatalities
On February 23, the Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) reported that on Jan. 14, a 44-year-old contract laborer with 13 years of total experience received fatal injuries when he fell 27 feet to a concrete surface. At the time of the accident, the contractor was on a belt conveyor in a coal preparation plant and was working to replace…
Read MoreMSHA rolls out safety campaign
The Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) has announced the “Take Time Save Lives” campaign to reach miners, promote best practice resources, and ensure mine operators have the tools they need to fully train miners to use equipment. “The purpose of this new campaign is simple: mine operators need to take the time to train miners on equipment and safety…
Read MoreMSHA issues safety reminder for development mining near wells
The Mine Safety and Health Administration released a safety notice in February for the nation’s mining operations relating to development mining near wells, an issue it says is happening thousands of times across the U.S. In the new notice, the agency points out that much has changes for both the mining and gas industries in recent years: “Today’s coal mines…
Read MoreWilliamson confirmed as new MSHA Assistant Secretary
The U.S. Senate held a voice vote and confirmed Chris Williamson as the next assistant secretary for mine safety and health. The West Virginia native comes to the Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) from the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) where he was senior counsel to Chair Lauren McFerran.
Read MoreVaccination pilot program targets miners in Kentucky, Arizona
The U.S. Department of Labor has announced a new program designed to encourage COVID-19 vaccination among miners in Kentucky and Arizona. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention report that vaccination rates are below 60% in the two states where a number of mining operations exist. The department’s Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) will pilot the Mine Vaccine Outreach…
Read More2022 kicks off with rash of worker deaths
The new year in mining has already had its share of hazards, with four miner deaths in the U.S. in the first 14 days of 2022. The first worker died January 7 at the Sunrise Coal Oaktown Fuels Mine No. 1 in Knox County, Ky., owned by Hallador Energy. The victim, a 35-year-old continuous miner machine operator with nine years…
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