MSHA released a mid-year summary of mining deaths across the country. During the first half of 2014, 22 miners were killed in accidents in the mining industry. The toll represents an increase in the mid-year fatality count and reverses a decline in fatal accidents seen in recent years.
By Ellen Smith
A company was found to have used unsafe mining methods where miners worked around a 230-to-300-ft. highwall, despite the use of spotters and frequent inspections to look for potentially dangerous conditions, according to a recent Commission decision.
Read more: 300-Ft. Highwall Not Controlled; Miners Risked Injury From Rock Falls
By Ellen Smith
A limestone operator’s guarding violations did not constitute a “reckless disregard” or flagrant violations of mine safety standards, and MSHA’s total proposed fines of $547,100 for six violations of §56.14107(a), and one violation of §56.14112(b), were reduced to a total of $44,000 by Review Commission Judge David Simonton.
Read more: Guarding Violations Not ‘Flagrant’ Violations Under Mine Act
By Randy K. Logsdon
This is the fifth in a series of six columns exploring traditional principles of safety. Previous parts were entitled: “Safety First,” “Safety is Just Common Sense,” “Compliance = Safety” and “Accidents are a Matter of (Bad) Luck.” – Ed.
This is the fourth in a series of six columns exploring traditional principles of safety. Previous parts were entitled: “Safety First,” “Safety is Just Common Sense, ” and “Compliance = Safety.” – Ed.
Read more: Principle Number Four: Accidents Are A Matter Of (Bad) Luck
