Metal/Nonmetal Sector Suffers 17th Fatality

According to the U.S. Department of Labor’s Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA), on August 2, 2014, a 53-year-old plant operator with 25 years of experience was killed at a sand and gravel plant. The victim was working under the raised bed of a dump truck when the wooden block supporting the load suddenly failed, allowing the bed to fall…

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Mine Rescue Contest Crowns New Winner

Doe Run Co.’s “Maroon Team” from Viburnum, Mo., won the 2014 National Metal and Nonmetal Mine Rescue Contest held August 4-7 in Lexington, Ky. FMC Minerals’ “Red Team” from Green River, Wyo., and the Waste Isolation Pilot Plant’s “WIPP Red Team” from Carlsbad, N.M., rounded out the top three.

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Brake Violation Not S&S, But Imminent Danger Order Upheld

By Ellen Smith ALJ Richard Manning reduced a penalty for a brake violation under §56.14101(a)(1) while upholding an imminent danger order for the same violation. He also increased a second penalty for a parking violation under §56.14107 taking into consideration that the safety violation was committed by two management employees.

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