Federal Mine Safety & Health Act of 1977
Who’s responsible?
Suppose someone orders a miner to do something the miner says is unsafe. What happens if the miner refuses and is then disciplined or discharged? Perhaps there was neither a safety hazard nor a violation. Or, maybe there was a… Keep Reading
MSHA impact inspection citations increased in July
The U.S Mine Safety & Health Administration (MSHA) issued 225 citations and six orders during special impact inspections at 15 coal mines and six metal and nonmetal mines during the month of July. These numbers increased from June, when the… Keep Reading
MSHA discrimination complaints reach record high in 2014
In 2014, the U.S. Department of Labor Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) filed 49 discrimination complaints, which is more than any other year. The complaints, filed with FMSHRC, involved allegations of discrimination made by miners in the form of… Keep Reading
MSHA penalty controversy
MSHA conducted its first hearing on proposed changes to civil penalty regulations on Dec. 4. MSHA wants to decrease operator challenges to penalties and limit operator opportunities to have penalties overturned. The overwhelming bone of contention is MSHA’s proposal to… Keep Reading
Pattern of violations reforms boost mine safety, says MSHA
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… Keep Reading
MSHA allocates $8.3 million in safety training grants
The U.S. Department of Labor’s Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) has allocated $8,348,423 in health and safety training grants for 47 states and the Navajo Nation in fiscal year 2014. The grants will be used to cover training and… Keep Reading
Walk-around denied
An MSHA inspector arrives at your operation and asks if you’ll accompany him during an inspection. A representative of miners, if there is one, also has “walk-around rights.” Does it matter if the inspector does not provide such opportunities for… Keep Reading
MSHA can take control after mine accidents
Companies subject to OSHA are inspected after accidents, but employers are under no legal obligation to shut down all or part of their operations. In addition, companies are not required to correct conditions unless a citation is issued. And even… Keep Reading
Accident and injury reports
MSHA is under pressure to audit mine operator reports of accidents, injuries and illnesses. The inspector general of the U.S. Department of Labor issued a report in March that notes while MSHA has taken steps to detect and deter underreporting,… Keep Reading
