The U.S. Senate held a voice vote and confirmed Chris Williamson as the next assistant secretary for mine safety and health. The West Virginia native comes to the Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) from the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) where he was senior counsel to Chair Lauren McFerran.
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MSHA reports eighth, ninth fatalities
The Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) reported that on February 28, a contract miner died when he was crushed between the rib and a single boom face drill. The victim was alongside the drill using the onboard tram lever controls when the accident occurred because the remote control was inoperable.
Read More2022 Mine Rescue Rules training dates announced
MSHA has announced that the 2022 rules for Mine Rescue, Bench, First Aid, and Team Tech have been approved by the Holmes Mine Rescue Association (HMRA) Rules and Advisory committees.
Read MoreMSHA rolls out safety campaign
The Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) has announced the “Take Time Save Lives” campaign to reach miners, promote best practice resources, and ensure mine operators have the tools they need to fully train miners to use equipment.
Read MoreMSHA 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…
Read MoreMSHA’s Proposed Mobile Haulage Rule – Let’s Look Under This Baby’s Hood
By Willa B. Perlmutter The latest big development in the MSHA regulatory space is a proposed rule that would require mine operators to develop and implement written programs that focus on improving the safety of surface mobile equipment. Back in 2018, because of the disproportionately high contribution of mobile equipment to mine fatalities, MSHA asked for input so it could…
Read MoreVaccination pilot program targets miners in Kentucky, Arizona
The U.S. Department of Labor has announced a new program designed to encourage COVID-19 vaccination among miners in Kentucky and Arizona. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention report that vaccination rates are below 60% in the two states where a number of mining operations exist. The department’s Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) will pilot the Mine Vaccine Outreach…
Read MoreIncrease 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…
Read More2022 kicks off with rash of worker deaths
The new year in mining has already had its share of hazards, with four miner deaths in the U.S. in the first 14 days of 2022. The first worker died January 7 at the Sunrise Coal Oaktown Fuels Mine No. 1 in Knox County, Ky., owned by Hallador Energy. The victim, a 35-year-old continuous miner machine operator with nine years…
Read MoreWilliamson 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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