MSHA

Episode 32: MSHA chief talks mine safety

Chris Williamson, assistant secretary of the Mine Safety & Health Administration (MSHA) joins the show as a special guest to look back on his two and a half years heading the agency that develops and enforces safety and health rules for all U.S. mines. Keep Reading

MSHA: Latest screening yields no POV violators

Kevin Yanik Published Jan 13, 2025

The Mine Safety & Health Administration (MSHA) reports that none of the nation’s mines met the criteria based on a late 2024 screening. Keep Reading

Early-year blasting conferences will explore blast optimization and safety related to the storage and transport of explosives. Photo: Ghulam Hussain/iStock / Getty Images Plus/Getty Images

Drilling and blasting events to attend in early 2025

P&Q Staff Published Jan 10, 2025

Two educational events are nearing to build better drillers and blasters. Keep Reading

Says MSHA assistant secretary Chris Williamson: “It’s critically important at MSHA – especially on the enforcement side – that you’re always bringing in new inspectors [and] that you’re always backfilling people when they leave.” Photo: MSHA

Exclusive: MSHA chief reflects on tenure as assistant secretary

P&Q Staff Published Dec 21, 2024

Chris Williamson, assistant secretary of the Mine Safety & Health Administration (MSHA), reflects on his tenure leading the agency as his final day nears in January. Keep Reading

How MSHA, mine safety should be reshaped in 2025

Margo Lopez and Bill Doran Published Dec 20, 2024

Ogletree Deakins’ Bill Doran and Margo Lopez present a wish list for the new year related to the Mine Safety & Health Administration (MSHA) and mine safety overall. Keep Reading

Mine fatalities near all-time low as 2024 approaches finish

Jack Kopanski Published Dec 19, 2024

Although accidents continue to happen, the mining industry is having one of its best safety years since fatalities data was originally recorded. Keep Reading

The red arrows point at missing toe kicks on a guardrail system. Photo: Steve Fuller

Raising the bar on guardrails, machine guarding

Steve Fuller Published Nov 26, 2024

Guardrails and machine guarding are fundamental safeguards within the aggregate industry, yet they are frequently cited standards during inspections. Keep Reading

A look back and what’s ahead for MSHA

Bill Doran and Margo Lopez Published Nov 20, 2024

The return of President Donald Trump to the White House in January should bring significant changes to the Mine Safety & Health Administration (MSHA). Keep Reading