William Doran | Pit & Quarry

The Ohio Aggregates & Industrial Minerals Association approached the Ohio Department of Transportation about producing a study that would examine the effects communities would experience if one local quarry was removed. Photo by Kevin Yanik.

MSHA’s role in natural disasters

Published Jul 19, 2019

Given MSHA’s expansive regulatory coverage, producers should expect the Mine Safety & Health Administration (MSHA) to consider any natural disaster-related activity at a mine to be under its domain. Keep Reading

Aggregate producers are raising concerns as MSHA merges coal inspectors with the metal/nonmetal mining sector. Photo by Kevin Yanik

Understanding MSHA’s informal conference process

Published Jun 13, 2019

Ogletree Deakins' Bill Doran and Margo Lopez explain how the process can provide an efficient means for addressing issues with citations early on. Keep Reading

MSHA is intensifying its approach to workplace health. Photo by Joe McCarthy.

MSHA renews its focus on health

Published May 17, 2019

Ogletree Deakins' Bill Doran and Margo Lopez explore the intensifying focus on health by the Mine Safety & Health Administration (MSHA). Keep Reading

Autonomous vehicles and MSHA

Published Apr 8, 2019

Ogletree Deakins' Bill Doran and Margo Lopez examine evolving aggregate industry tech and how the Mine Safety & Health Administration (MSHA) will respond. Keep Reading

Yes, POV is still a thing

Published Mar 7, 2019

Ogletree Deakins' Bill Doran and Margo Lopez examine the Mine Safety & Health Administration's pattern of violations (POV) enforcement policy. Keep Reading

When MSHA issues ‘duplicative’ citations

Published Jan 25, 2019

Ogletree Deakins' Bill Doran and Margo Lopez explore what happens when the Mine Safety & Health Administration (MSHA) issues multiple citations for essentially the same issue. Keep Reading

MSHA Assistant Secretary David Zatezalo addressed seat belt safety earlier this year at the National Stone, Sand & Gravel Association’s Annual Convention, stating that it is very difficult to enforce. Says Zatezalo: “I would tell you from my own experience that my father would never wear a seat belt. Toward the end of his life I bought him a car and he started wearing a seat belt. He said the dings and alarms made it easier to put the seat belt on.” Photo courtesy of the NSSGA

Workplace exams, streamlining and scofflaws

Published Dec 19, 2018

Ogletree Deakins' Bill Doran and Margo Lopez offer a report on the Mine Safety & Health Administration activity in 2018. Keep Reading

Photo courtesy of the National Institute for Occupational Safety Health

Why MSHA suspicion isn’t enough in court

Published Nov 5, 2018

Ogletree Deakins' Bill Doran and Margo Lopez explore why the Mine Act does not permit a citation based on mere speculation that a violation – that has not yet occurred – could happen in the future. Keep Reading

Inspector sign-in standards

Published Oct 5, 2018

Ogletree Deakins' Bill Doran and Margo Lopez discuss sign-in standards for Mine Safety & Health Administration inspectors at aggregate operations. Keep Reading