More than 100 employees at the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) will be permanently reinstated – a crucial development after months of uncertainty that threatened the agency’s workforce and core safety programs. The International Safety Equipment Association (ISEA) led a nationwide campaign to defend NIOSH. “This is not just a win for NIOSH – it’s a win…
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Bringing it back to center
As we journey toward the center of the year (already?), it is a good time to take stock of some things, how we’re doing, and what’s going well – and not so well. So, when someone says, “You want the good news first, or the bad news?” I generally will choose the latter. Rip off the Band-Aid, then let’s figure…
Read MoreCauses and prevention of conveyor fires
An enormous part of worker safety is the prevention of hazardous situations at the mine site – especially those areas where risks are highest. There is always room to improve that level of safety, and behind that is understanding more about risk mitigation. To create a fire there must be three elements: oxygen, heat and fuel (also known as “the…
Read MoreNIOSH seeks input on smoke exposure draft
The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), part of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), has released the draft Hazard Review: “Wildland Fire Smoke Exposure Among Farmworkers and Other Outdoor Workers.” It is open for public comment until November 12.
Read MoreNMA, NIOSH, OSMRE honor safety, tech
In a ceremony in Las Vegas, Nev., the National Mining Association (NMA), the U.S. National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), and the U.S. Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement (OSMRE) honored outstanding achievements in mine safety, technology and reclamation. SafetyThe NMA’s Sentinels of Safety Award recognizes coal and mineral mining operations in 10 categories for recording the…
Read MoreNIOSH takes black lung screenings on the road
The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) said it will provide free and confidential black lung screenings to coal miners through a mobile testing unit stopping at locations in West Virginia, Pennsylvania, Ohio and Virginia.
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…
Read MoreJust one week until Southeast Mine Conference
More than 450 attendees are expected to convene October 31-November 3 for this year’s Southeast Mine Safety and Health Conference in Birmingham, Ala., with “Taking Ownership of Safety and Health” as its theme. A full schedule has been prepared for the event being held again at the Renaissance Ross Bridge in Hoover, beginning with an optional short course on Oct.…
Read MoreLeaders in mine safety and technology honored by NMA, federal agencies
In a ceremony in Washington, D.C., the National Mining Association (NMA), the U.S. National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) and the U.S. Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement (OSMRE) honored outstanding achievements in mine safety, technology and reclamation. The NMA’s Sentinels of Safety Award recognizes coal and mineral mining operations in 10 categories for recording the most…
Read MoreCountdown in motion for SME/PCMIA in Steel City
Annual two-day event has a packed schedule of presentations on safety, engineering projects, critical minerals and more. By Donna Schmidt The Pittsburgh chapter of the Society for Mining, Metallurgy and Exploration (SME) and the Pittsburgh Coal Mining Institute of America (PCMIA) are putting the final components in place for their annual joint meeting and conference, set for October 26-27 in…
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