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Rule allows MSHA to issue POV notice without potential POV notice
MSHA has developed a new rule to strengthen its pattern of violations (POV) program and ensure mine operators monitor and address the most hazardous safety problems in their mines. The rule allows MSHA to issue a pattern of violations notice without first issuing a potential POV notice. It also eliminates the existing requirement that MSHA can consider only final orders in its POV review; establishes general criteria and procedures that MSHA will use to identify mines with a pattern of S&S violations; and reinforces mine operators' responsibility for compliance with MSHA safety and health standards for monitoring their mines' compliance. "Over the last three years, the Labor Department has undergone a serious and comprehensive evaluation of mine safety practices, and that has led to reforms to protect America's miners," said Secretary of Labor Hilda Solis, who announced the new rule Jan. 17. "The rule we are announcing will hold mine operators accountable when they disregard life-saving safety measures." Joe Main, MSHA's assistant secretary of labor, also chimed in on the… Keep Reading
Volvo CE consolidating backhoe loader production for US
Volvo Construction Equipment is moving production of its backhoe loaders from Mexico to a recently enlarged facility in Brazil. The company says the investment in the Brazilian facility was $10 million. Among the components to be produced at the new site are dippers, lifting and boom arms, frames and cabs. The move to Brazil will take place throughout 2013, the company says. Keep Reading
Hydraulic fitting manufacturer celebrating milestone
Brennan Industries Inc., a hydraulic fitting and adaptor manufacturer, is marking its 60th anniversary this winter. Brennan is a third-generation, family-owned company headquartered in Solon, Ohio, but it has distribution centers throughout the United States, as well as in Canada and China. Keep Reading
Off-road equipment lubrication to be discussed at Toronto event
The Society of Tribologists and Lubrication Engineers (STLE) is hosting a two-day educational course on best practices in lubrication in the mining and resource sector Feb. 26-27. The course will be held at the Sheraton Hotel Convention Centre in Toronto, Ontario. The course is broken into two segments: off-road equipment and industrial lubricants for plants and mills in the resource industries. Representatives from Enrol Inc., Glide Oil Tech and Lubrizol are among those scheduled to appear Feb. 26 to discuss topics such as mobile hydraulic oils, mobile equipment lubricating grease and heavy-duty diesel engine oil. Keep Reading
Mellott Co. names replacement part dealers across US
Mellott Co. has entered long-term agreements with Compass Equipment, Milton Cat and Crisp Industries for distribution of its replacement parts. Compass Equipment will cover northern California and northern Nevada for Mellot Co. Milton Cat will handle Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New York, Rhode Island and Vermont. Crisp Industries is responsible for Arkansas, Oklahoma and Texas. Keep Reading
Press applicable to proppant used in fracking
Wabash MPI's new Genesis Series proppant crush test press is designed for use with sand, resin-coated sand and ceramic proppant used in the fracking process. The Model G28-12-PCR-X press offers compression force ranging from 2 to 28 tons and has full-guided hardened plates that feature adjustable stops for crush die centering. Operator interface provides an easy setup of control parameters with ample recipe storage, an Allen Bradley programmable controller, a PanelView Touch screen and closed-loop control of clamp pressure. Keep Reading
Bosch Rexroth app simplifies hydraulic filter ordering
Bosch Rexroth's new Fit4Filter smartphone app allows customers to cross-reference and replace their existing hydraulic filter elements with the corresponding Rexroth filters. The app is available for both Apple and Android devices and serves users as a tool for upgrading filter elements on hydraulic power units in multiple applications. Fit4Filter includes cross-references to thousands of filter elements and a sync-on-demand feature that allows users to update the app with new filter elements and other data with just a few finger taps. The app offers support in English and German, with contact information for Rexroth filter support personnel in 20 countries. Keep Reading
Bradley takes over as Terex senior vice president, CFO
Terex Corp. has made several changes among its senior leadership, including transitioning Terex Cranes President Kevin Bradley to the role of senior vice president and CFO. Phil Widman is retiring as senior vice president and CFO on March 31. Also, Tim Ford, who was president of Terex Aerial Work Platforms, is now president of Terex Cranes. Steve Filipov is president of Terex Material Handling and Port Solutions after serving as president of developing markets and strategic accounts. Terex Construction President George Ellis is assuming responsibilities for the company's operations in India. Other personnel announcements include Matt Fearon, former vice president and general manager of AWP Americas, becoming president of Terex AWP; and Aloysius Rauen, CEO of Demag Cranes AG, announcing his intention to resign sometime in 2013 after the Demag Cranes business completely integrates into Terex. Keep Reading
Tire, rim management system designed to boost productivity
Michelin Earthmover has released the OperTrak, a web-based tire and rim management system designed to monitor tire activity and optimize budgeting, forecasting, inventory and performance. According to Michelin, OperTrak generates easy-to-read reports for inventory management, budgeting, projected wear, tire performance, failures, damages and fleet inspections. Reports can be exported in several formats. OperTrak can consolidate information from multiple company sites and be configured through various organizational levels. The information can be viewed by region, zone, state, site or other criteria to meet user needs. Data within other tire tracking systems can be transferred at no additional cost. The software and data are ISO227001 certified. Keep Reading
