Pattern of violations (POV) reforms have contributed to an increase in mine safety, says Joseph Main, assistant secretary of labor for mine safety and health.
According to the Federal Mine Safety and Health Act of 1977, mine operators that receive POV notices demonstrate “a disregard for the health and safety of miners through a pattern of significant and substantial violations.” Mines that receive POV notices pose the greatest risk to the safety and health of miners.
“Data show that these reforms, in combination with other agency efforts, such as the impact inspection program, have led to significant reductions in the universe of chronic violators, prompted operators with troubled compliance records to improve their safety and health programs, and resulted in much safer mines in our nation,” says Main.
In 2010, Main implemented the POV provisions to enhance safety for miners. Since then, 30 mines have been placed on a potential POV and seven have been placed on a POV.
In addition to this, there has been a 64 percent reduction in total violations when comparing the top 12 mines identified in the 2014 POV screening and the top 12 mines identified in the 2010 POV screening.
MSHA also offers online tools that allow mine operators to monitor their own compliance records.
