Nothing Says ‘Happy New Year!’ Quite Like A Brand New Regulation From Your Friendly, Neighborhood Enforcement Agency. By Brian Hendrix To close out 2023, MSHA published a new rule, Safety Program for Surface Mobile Equipment. This latest contribution to the Code of Federal Regulations requires all mine operators to develop, implement and update a written safety program for surface mobile…
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IME Renews Safety Alliance with MSHA to Promote Safe, Healthy Mining Operations
At the 2023 annual meeting of the Institute of Makers of Explosives (IME), IME President Clark Mica and the Mine Safety and Health Administration’s (MSHA) Administrator for Mine Safety and Health Enforcement Brian Goepfert announced the renewal of a collaborative relationship to continue fostering safe and healthy working conditions at the nation’s mining operations. The announcement, under the authority of…
Read MoreAggregate Mine Water Management
A Holistic And Smart Approach Works. Delta Sand & Gravel Co. Can Attest To That. By Ken Albaugh As part of Xylem’s turnkey solution, a slurry pump was installed to pump 3,000 gpm of water and fine material through 1,600 ft. of 12-in. SDR11 HDPE. This pump is robust and reliable, capable of pumping this harsh material with minimum maintenance…
Read MoreMSHA’s Silica Proposal Released
The U.S. Department of Labor announced a proposal by its Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) to amend current federal standards to “better protect the nation’s miners from health hazards related to exposure to respirable crystalline silica, or silica dust.” The proposed rule change will ensure miners have at least the same level of protections as workers in other industries.…
Read MoreMSHA Issues Heat Alert
The Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) reminds producers that mining in hot work areas during the summer can cause serious health issues for miners. Everyone needs to recognize the hazards of heat stress and mine operators should provide heat-stress recognition training, monitoring and personal protective equipment. Symptoms of Heat Stress Skin is hot, usually dry, red or spotted. Body…
Read MoreFree Opioid Guide Provides Practical Tips, Sample Policies
By Mark S. Kuhar Miners in the aggregates industry are at an increased risk to opioid harms such as addiction and overdose. Research shows that they are more likely than other workers to be prescribed opioids for work-related pain, with prescriptions often being of a longer and higher dose than other workers. To help industry employers create a positive difference…
Read MoreMSHA’s New Enhanced Enforcement Program is ‘Something’
By Brian Hendrix Earlier this year, the Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) rolled out its “Enhanced Enforcement Program.” If this is news to you, you’re in good company. MSHA didn’t and still hasn’t done much to publicize it. Word of the program has been circulating informally since early April, along with a written description dated Feb. 28, 2022. Then,…
Read MoreMSHA is Hiring! No Experience Necessary
MSHA May Be Hiring, But It Should Only Be Interested In Experienced Miners. By Brian Hendrix Across the board, the labor market is tight, and that’s particularly true in the mining industry. Miners are in short supply. Mine operators are hiring. MSHA is also hiring, but MSHA should only be interested in experienced miners. The Federal Mine Safety and Health…
Read MoreTelling MSHA To Get Lost
What Not To Do; And What Happens If You Do Just That. By Brian Hendrix Denial of entry. You don’t need an attorney to tell you that you never want to see those words in an MSHA citation or order that MSHA has issued to you. You definitely do not want to see those words in a complaint against you…
Read MorePreparing for MSHA’s “Take Time Save Lives” Campaign
MSHA Is Focusing On Task Training, So Let’s Look Quickly At What’s Required And What You Can Do To Comply. By Brian Hendrix MSHA recently announced its “Take Time Save Lives” campaign to “reach miners, promote best practice resources, and ensure mine operators have the tools they need to fully train miners to use equipment.” This new campaign is MSHA’s…
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