MSHA
Labor pains
According to the U.S. Geological Survey and the Mine Safety and Health Administration, there has been about a 5 percent drop in aggregate-industry employment since four years ago. That number is due in part to more streamlined processes and the… Keep Reading
Miners’ rights to representation
The signature box on MSHA’s Representative of Miners Designation Form reads as follows: “I certify that I have been designated as representative by at least two miners who work at the mine. A copy of this form has been delivered… Keep Reading
MSHA issues 2013 preliminary mine safety data
MSHA released preliminary mine safety data for calendar year 2013. Although the overall injury rate improved compared with 2012 figures, fatality rates increased, driven by a high number of mining deaths in the 4th quarter of 2013 when 15 miners… Keep Reading
MSHA: Follow procedure to submit program for corrective action
MSHA issued a reminder for the industry about the process for submitting a corrective action program for agency approval. According to an MSHA press release, the purpose of a corrective action program is to establish and implement corrective actions at… Keep Reading
NSSGA seeks input on inspector training
Can you think of a way MSHA inspectors could be better trained to do their jobs? Are you a mine operator who is willing to participate in the training process? The Technical Task Force for the MSHA-NSSGA Alliance committee wants… Keep Reading
MSHA: Spring the time to remind employees about safety
Fifty-eight hundred of the 12,000 metal and non-metal mines MSHA oversees close in the winter when snow and freezing temperatures make operations difficult or impossible. Most of these intermittent mines are crushed stone operations, the agency says, but the operations… Keep Reading
Main discusses MSHA progress at NSSGA Convention
Joe Main, assistant secretary of labor for MSHA, updated NSSGA's board of directors on recent actions the agency has taken to improve miner safety and health during a March 5 meeting at the NSSGA Annual Convention in Las Vegas. According… Keep Reading
Coalition to support federal mineral science and information activities
Fifteen organizations united to form the Mineral Science and Information Coalition (MSIC) to advocate for reinvigorated minerals science and information functions in the federal government. According to the Society for Mining, Metallurgy & Exploration (SME), federal programs in minerals science,… Keep Reading
MSHA produces ladder safety guide to improve work practices
MSHA launched a metal/nonmetal mining initiative and a corresponding "Ladder Safety Guide" to improve ladder safety standards. According to MSHA, the "Ladder Safety Guide" will serve as the basis for a series of inspector trainings on ladder safety in the… Keep Reading
