MSHA reports second, third fatalities of 2022

The Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) reported that on Jan. 7, a 35-year-old continuous mining machine (CMM) operator was fatally injured when he was pinned between the remote controlled CMM and the coal rib; and on Jan. 11, a 32-year-old miner died while driving on a mine road when a tree fell from a highwall onto the cab of his pickup truck. These…

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Increase 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%.  The Federal Civil Penalties Inflation Adjustment Act Improvements Act of 2015 requires the department to adjust its civil monetary penalty levels for inflation annually no later than Jan. 15 of…

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Williamson 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…

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MSHA Calls for Powered Haulage Safety

The Mine Safety and Health Administration reported that as of July 12, nine miners have been killed and 185 have been injured in accidents involving powered haulage equipment.  Year to date, this is the highest number of powered haulage fatalities since 2006.  That’s why the agency, on July 20, hosted a national Stand Down for Safety Day focused on powered…

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