On January 8, a 63-year-old sales manager with 11 years of experience was killed at a sand and gravel mine. He was installing new screen panels in the B tower screen.
Read MoreCategory: Safety & Health
MSHA Releases Regulatory Agenda
The U.S. Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) released its fall regulatory agenda Nov. 24. The agency states that it is on track in conducting the rulemaking on reform of civil penalties; comments are due Jan. 9, according to the National Stone, Sand and Gravel Association.
Read MoreUnwarrantable Failure Criteria Not Met In Crane Assembly Project
By Ellen Smith A company violated §56.16009, which states, “persons shall stay clear of suspended loads,” where a miner did not stay clear of a suspended load during a crane assembly project. But the violation was not due to an unwarrantable failure to comply, the Review Commission ruled on Dec. 10, 2014.
Read MoreSafety is a Local Thing
By Randy K Logsdon The former Speaker of the House of Representatives Tip O’Neil was a colorful character. Despite being on opposite sides of the political pond, he and then President Ronald Reagan became good friends and enjoyed sharing Irish jokes.
Read MorePOV Violates Due Process, ALJ Rules; Denies Motion for Emergency Stay
ALJ William Moran dismissed a Pattern of Violations charge against Patriot Coal’s Brody Mining on Nov. 1, stating that the POV charge is a violation of due process. The Judge called the POV process “patently unfair, almost rigged,” and said that companies do not know what evidence to present for their defense.
Read MoreThe Power of Knowledge
Many parts of the Southwest are designated as open range. My community in southeast New Mexico is one of those areas. In open range areas, cattle are not segregated from some infrequently traveled state and county roads.
Read MoreMSHA Releases 2015 Regulatory Agenda
The U.S. Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) released its fall regulatory agenda Nov. 24. The agency states that it is on track in conducting the rulemaking on reform of civil penalties; comments are due Jan. 9, according to the National Stone, Sand and Gravel Association.
Read MoreA Good Safety Record is Not A Mitigating Factor in Lowering Penalties
By Ellen Smith A good safety record at a quarry, and having an injury-free operation, is not a mitigating factor in determining final penalties for violations of the Mine Act, Review Commission ALJ Alan Paez ruled in a case involving the Campbell County, Tenn., Highway Dept. located in Jacksboro, Tenn.
Read MoreUnintended Consequences
By Randy K. Logsdon One of the things that makes this country great is our collective ability to innovate. Perhaps it’s a byproduct of capitalism. Perhaps it’s innovation and entrepreneurship that drives capitalism.
Read MoreMSHA Celebrates Mine Rescue Day
The U.S. Department of Labor’s Mine Safety and Health Administration commemorated the second annual Mine Rescue Day on Thursday, Oct. 30, during a meeting of the Holmes Mine Rescue Association at the National Mine Health and Safety Academy in Beaver, W.Va.
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