The U.S. Department of Labor announced a proposal by its Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) to amend current federal standards to “better protect the nation’s miners from health hazards related to exposure to respirable crystalline silica, or silica dust.” The proposed rule change will ensure miners have at least the same level of protections as workers in other industries. “Unhealthy levels…
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MSHA impact inspections target 20 mines in 15 states
The U.S. Department of Labor announced that its Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) completed impact inspections at 20 mines in 15 states in April 2023 and found 335 violations. Since Jan. 1, 2023, MSHA’s inspections identified 914 violations, including 257 significant and substantial and 18 unwarrantable failure findings. An S&S violation is one reasonably likely to cause a reasonably…
Read MoreDOL offers safety app for Spanish-speaking miners
The U.S. Department of Labor announced that its Miner Safety and Health app for iOS and Android devices is now available in Spanish. In August 2022, the Mine Safety and Health Administration launched the app’s original version. With today’s launch, Spanish-speaking miners will have access to the app’s benefits. Users will need to switch their phone settings to Spanish to…
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 MoreWilliamson tapped to lead MSHA
The Biden administration has nominated West Virginia native Christopher Williamson for assistant secretary for mine safety and health at the U.S. Department of Labor. Williamson, who will replace David Zatezalo if his nomination is confirmed by the Senate, currently serves as the senior counsel to Chairman Lauren McFerran at the National Labor Relations Board. Prior to his current seat, he…
Read MoreVaccination pilot program targets miners in Kentucky, Arizona
The U.S. Department of Labor 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 substantial number of mining operations exist. The department’s Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) will pilot the Mine Vaccine Outreach…
Read MoreIncrease in MSHA penalties
On January 14, the U.S. Department of Labor published a final rule in the Federal Register that will increase Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) civil monetary penalties by 1.06222%.
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