The U.S. Department of Labor has awarded $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.
Read MoreMSHA reported that on Aug. 24, a miner at MN Portable Wash 086 (A5567 Wash Plant), Mille Lacs County, Minn., died while preparing a wash plant for relocation. In the process of lowering the feed box into the travel position, the miner was pinned between the feed box and the handrail. This is the 29th fatality reported in 2023, and the 13th classified as “Machinery.” MSHA recommends the…
Read MoreMSHA reported that on August 5, a customer truck driver at Superior Silica Sands San Antonio Plant, Bexar County, Texas, fell from a large container mounted on the trailer of his truck. After opening the container lid, the driver slipped while descending the container. The driver died from his injuries on August 7. This is the 27th fatality reported in…
Read MoreThe U.S. Department of Labor announced that its Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) completed impact inspections at 15 mines in 12 states in July 2023, issuing 288 violations and four safeguard notices. MSHA began impact inspections after an explosion killed 29 miners at West Virginia’s Upper Big Branch Mine in 2010. So far in 2023, MSHA’s impact inspections have…
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Refuge chambers may not have been part of the underground safety view as little as two decades ago, but today they are commonplace – even if the regulatory outlines for their use still vary by location. NAM talked with Strata Worldwide about the aspects of these units that are shared (and vastly different) between the U.S. and other mining regions…
Read MoreThe U.S. Department of Labor said the Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) will extend the public comment period from August 28 to September 11 on proposed amendments to existing federal standards related to workplace exposure of respirable crystalline silica or silica dust.
Read MoreMSHA reported 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, and the 11th classified as “Machinery.” MSHA recommends the following best practices to avoid…
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The U.S. Department of Labor said impact inspections completed at 18 mines in 12 states in June by the Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) resulted in 242 violations.
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When looking at pit-to-port successes at mines, particularly from a cost perspective, the seemingly small changes can make the biggest impact. NAM recently talked to Dialight CEO Fariyal Khanbabi about how vibrations – or lack thereof – can impact other systems, specifically safety through proper lighting. NAM: Why is vibration such an important consideration when looking at upgrading lighting in…
Read MoreHow do you use drones and robots to make underground mining less risky for workers? Virginia Tech researcher Richard Bishop and his West Virginia University collaborators are working to answer this question. A recent two-year, $569,149 Alpha Foundation grant will allow the team to study ways to use autonomous drones to predict and prevent roof collapses underground. It’s urgent work.…
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