The Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) reported in August 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,…
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First silica hearing held
Louisville Public Media reported in August details of the first Mine Safety and Health Administration hearing to gather comments on the recently proposed silica standards. The regulation would affect every mine, cement plant, and rock quarry in the country regardless of the material produced there. It would add protections for non-coal workers like requiring companies to offer free medical exams…
Read MoreMSHA impact inspections yield 242 violations
The U.S. Department of Labor said in August that impact inspections completed at 18 mines in 12 states in June by the Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) resulted in 242 violations. To date, MSHA’s impact inspections in 2023 have identified 1,435 violations, including 411 significant and substantial (S&S) and 22 unwarrantable failure findings. An S&S violation is reasonably likely…
Read MoreIME renews safety alliance with MSHA to promote safe, healthy mining operations
At the 2023 annual meeting of the Institute of Makers of Explosives (IME), IME President Clark Mica and the Mine Safety and Health Administration’s (MSHA) Administrator for Mine Safety and Health Enforcement Brian Goepfert announced the renewal of a collaborative relationship to continue fostering safe and healthy working conditions at the nation’s mining operations. The announcement, under the authority of…
Read MoreMSHA reports 32nd fatality of 2023
MSHA reported that on Sept. 12, a haul truck operator at Cape Sandy #1, Crawford, Ind., died after his haul truck backed through the berm at a dump point and became submerged in a pond. This is the 32nd fatality reported in 2023, and the eighth classified as “Powered Haulage.” MSHA recommends the following best practices to avoid this type…
Read MoreMSHA to host annual TRAM Conference
The U.S. Department of Labor’s Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) is holding its annual Training Resources Applied to Mining (TRAM) conference in Beaver, W.Va., from October 10-12.
Read MoreGrants awarded to bolster mine safety
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 reports 28th fatality of 2023
MSHA reported that on Aug. 21, a crusher lid that was being moved into place at Portable Crusher #2, Pueblo Colo., struck a miner when the rigging broke. The miner died from his injuries on Aug. 23. This is the 28th fatality reported in 2023, and the 12th classified as “Machinery.” MSHA recommends the following best practices to avoid this…
Read MoreMSHA reports recent fatalities
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 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…
Read MoreMSHA impact inspections target 16 mines, yield 279 violations in May
MSHA completed impact inspections at 16 mines in May, issuing 279 violations and one safeguard. MSHA conducts impact inspections at mines that merit increased agency attention and enforcement due to poor compliance history; previous accidents, injuries and illnesses; and other compliance concerns. Among the violations, MSHA cited 83 significant and substantial violations. MSHA conducted inspections at mines in Colorado, Indiana,…
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