By Willa B. Perlmutter Here’s a fun fact. Going back as early as 1998, the federal Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) has promised the mining industry it would issue a rule that addresses workplace exposures to respirable crystalline silica at mine sites around the country. (By “rule,” I really mean “regulation.” In other words, a binding requirement issued under…
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We have to know what we’re doing, because they don’t always get it
By Willa B. Perlmutter Let me tell you about an experience I had with a Labor Department lawyer earlier this month. It was one of those experiences that made me realize how important it is for those of us in the mining industry to have a good working knowledge of the Mine Act and how enforcement is supposed to work.…
Read MoreLessons learned after a mine accident
A few weeks back, one of my clients had an accident at its crusher. From a legal perspective, the details aren’t terribly important. Two guys were hurt, one very seriously. He spent a week in the hospital and faces a long road of rehab ahead. The site supervisor sustained less serious injuries, but he too spent a couple of nights…
Read MoreWhat Is Advance Notice? Much-Needed Clarification Is On Its Way
By Willa B. Perlmutter In general, the mining industry is pretty well versed in the Mine Act. Mine operators know that under the authority of the Act, the Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) adopts mandatory safety and health standards they have to follow. They know that because the Act requires it, MSHA inspects surface mines twice per year, underground…
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