The Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) has issued a final rule to better protect the nation’s miners from health hazards associated with exposure to respirable crystalline silica. It lowers the permissible exposure limit to 50 micrograms per cubic meter of air for a full-shift exposure, calculated as an eight-hour, time-weighted average. If a miner’s exposure exceeds the limit, the…
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MSHA alert: truck dumping safety
MSHA reported that on January 2, the driver of an over the road tractor-trailer haul truck died when the trailer tipped over onto the cab of the tractor. The driver was dumping part of the load of gravel from the trailer. Between 2018 and 2024, mine operators reported 14 injury accidents where over the road trucks tipped or rolled over…
Read MoreRETHINKING MINE WATER MANAGEMENT FOR STRATEGIC ADVANTAGE
Mine operators are looking to technology to solve a rising demand for water resulting from changing regulations or in areas of water scarcity. Xylem director of sales and services Ken Albaugh details the quandaries and solutions. As the global economy grows hungry for the raw materials that help power electric vehicles, wind turbines, solar panels and other technologies, the mining…
Read MoreMSHA reveals results of September impact inspections
The U.S. Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) said it issued more than 120 safety and health violations at nine mines in seven states as part of its September impact inspection initiative. Of the total 123 violations identified by MSHA in September, 17 were evaluated as significant and substantial (S&S). The agency completed inspections at mines in Illinois, Kentucky, Maryland,…
Read MoreIME renews safety alliance with MSHA to promote safe, healthy mining operations
At the 2023 annual meeting of the Institute of Makers of Explosives (IME), IME President Clark Mica and the Mine Safety and Health Administration’s (MSHA) Administrator for Mine Safety and Health Enforcement Brian Goepfert announced the renewal of a collaborative relationship to continue fostering safe and healthy working conditions at the nation’s mining operations. The announcement, under the authority of…
Read MoreMSHA 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,…
Read MoreMSHA issues heat stress reminder
The U.S. Mine Safety and Health Administration has issued an urgent reminder for mines and miners in regards to heat stress on the job, as well as ways to treat it when it does occur. “Mining in hot work areas during summer can cause serious health issues for miners,” the agency said. “Everyone needs to recognize the hazards of heat…
Read MoreMSHA’s silica proposal released
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…
Read MoreMSHA reports on 10th, 11th, 12th fatalities of year
MSHA reported that on March 15, a miner at Vulcan Materials’ Fort Pierce Mine in St Lucie County, Fla., drowned when the ground sloughed, causing the excavator he was operating to topple into a water-filled pit. The excavator became submerged in approximately 25 feet of water. It was the 12th fatality reported in 2023, and the fourth classified as Machinery. …
Read MoreFisher Phillips: Five 2023 mine safety predictions
Editor’s note: the following is an op-ed from Fisher Phillips. As the calendar turns to a new year, the Mine Safety and Health Administration appears to have found its footing – and that means mine operators need to be on their toes in 2023. After a presidential administration change, retirements throughout the inspector ranks, and an anemic regulatory agenda, MSHA…
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