MSHA reported that on August 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 was the 29th fatality reported this year, and…
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MSHA July impact inspections: 288 violations
The 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…
Read MoreMine Safety LLC launches site to analyze MSHA data
Mine Safety LLC, a company that promotes mining safety through high-quality software tools and solutions, has launched “Mine Lookup,” an application to analyze Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) data in various ways. “I have been in the industry as a software engineer since 2007 and I have felt this information should be more accessible to miners and to mining…
Read MoreMSHA extends public comment period for silica rule
The 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 Reports 25th Fatality of 2023
MSHA 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…
Read MoreJune MSHA impact inspections yield 242 violations
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.
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 reports 24th fatality of 2023
MSHA reported that on June 22, a contract bulldozer operator at Vulcan Materials’ Chula Vista, Calif., quarry died when the bulldozer he was operating backed off the edge of a highwall. The bulldozer operator was clearing the bench in preparation for drilling and blasting and had removed the berms along the edge. This is the 24th fatality reported in 2023, and the 10th classified as “Machinery.”…
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 22nd fatality of 2023
MSHA reported that on June 8, a miner died at Thomas Walsh’s N. Attleboro Plant, Bristol County, Mass., after climbing over the handrail onto a conveyor belt to gain access to a magnet belt that needed adjustment. When the miner stepped onto the magnet belt, the belt started, throwing the miner 16 feet to the ground below. This is the…
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