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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February impact inspections uncover 207 violations: MSHA
The Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) completed impact inspections at 13 mines in nine states in February, identifying 207 violations with 58 being classified as significant and substantial and two as unwarrantable failures. The agency completed the impact inspections at mines in Arizona, Indiana, Kentucky, Minnesota, New York, Pennsylvania, Utah, Washington and West Virginia. “February’s impact inspections uncovered hazardous…
Read MoreNo time to put your head in the sand – MSHA and failure-to-abate orders
Lately I’ve been giving some thought to what MSHA considers “enhanced enforcement,” which really refers to enforcement actions that MSHA takes against a mine operator beyond the § 104(a) citations that are the most frequent result of a mine inspection. (We call them “§ 104(a) citations” because the authority for issuing them comes from § 104(a) of the Mine Act.…
Read MoreMSHA reports third fatality of 2024
MSHA has reported that on March 1, a miner at Swift Creek Mine in Hamilton County, Fla., died after a metal slurry pipe struck him. The miner was removing the last bolt connecting two metal slurry pipes when the pipe broke free and swung in his direction. This is the third fatality reported in 2024, and the first classified as…
Read MoreMSHA reports second fatality of 2024
MSHA reported that on Jan. 29, a miner died when his haul truck traveled over the edge of a stockpile and overturned. This is the second fatality reported in 2024, and the second classified as “Powered Haulage.” MSHA recommends the following best practices to avoid this type of accident:
Read MoreMSHA launches ‘Health Resource Locator’
The Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) has unveiled an online platform to help miners and their families navigate the process of finding healthcare providers, facilities and related resources. Accessible through the agency’s website, the Health Resource Locator tool includes care options tailored specifically for miners.
Read MoreMSHA safety alert: operating equipment near water
MSHA reported that from 2010 through 2023, there were 19 drowning accidents. Eleven of these fatal accidents occurred when mobile equipment, operating near water, became submerged. When working near water mine operators should: MSHA recommends the following best practices to avoid this type of accident:
Read MoreMSHA issues multiple violations in January
The Mine Safety and Health Administration completed impact inspections at 15 mines in 10 states in January, issuing 188 violations. Since 2023, the agency has identified 2,927 violations, including 827 significant and substantial and 57 unwarrantable failure findings during its impact inspections. Of the violations MSHA identified in January, 63 were evaluated as S&S and one had unwarrantable failure findings.…
Read MoreMSHA issues alert on rotating conveyor rollers
MSHA is reporting that three miners have been permanently disabled since the beginning of 2024 because of rotating conveyor rollers. Serious and fatal injuries occur when miners clean or adjust conveyor rollers, pulleys and idlers while the belt is in motion. Injuries vary from broken bones to loss of fingers, hands and arms. Some accidents have resulted in fatal injuries. …
Read MoreSafety alert issued for Ocenco M20.3
MSHA requested in late December that any mines using Ocenco M20.3 SCSRs visually inspect every unit due to a known issue. This is in addition to its outline that the units must be worn in the approved black case and visually inspected at the beginning of each work shift. During mandated approval audits, the National Institute for Occupational Safety and…
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