Mining Probably Isn’t One Of The First Things That Comes To Mind When People Think About Renewable Energy Sources, But It Should Be. By Brian Hendrix By 2035, the Biden administration expects the United States to generate “100% carbon pollution free electricity.” Longer term, the administration’s ultimate goal is “net-zero emissions no later than 2050.” I doubt that “carbon free”…
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Tell Me How You Really Feel
Reddit Users Offer Advice To A New MSHA Inspector With Absolutely No Mining Experience. By Brian Hendrix In August, I covered MSHA’s program to recruit new inspectors who don’t have any mining experience (MSHA is hiring! No Experience Necessary). About a month later, I noticed this post by user “rcsrobb657” on Reddit (specifically, the r/mining subreddit): Incoming new MSHA inspector.…
Read MoreTechnology Policy
Does MSHA Enforcement Curb The Adoption Of Developments In Mobile Equipment Safety? By Brian Hendrix Last September, MSHA proposed a new rule on powered haulage safety, the “Safety Program for Surface Mobile Equipment” rule. MSHA has since held a (virtual) public hearing on the proposed rule, received several dozen comments from a range of industry stakeholders and is working on…
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 MoreMSHA Targets Silica
MSHA’s New Silica Enforcement Initiative: Not Really New, Just More of the Same. By Brian Hendrix Once again, silica is at the top of MSHA’s current enforcement and rulemaking agendas. MSHA has long been working on a new silica rule to reduce the current PEL for respirable silica by 50% (or more), but that’s not expected until late summer or…
Read MoreHaul Trucks and Hammers Aren’t Mines
Does MSHA Have Jurisdiction Over Them Forever, Wherever They Go And However They Are Used? By Brian Hendrix If a haul truck or a hammer is used for mining or used at a mine, does MSHA have jurisdiction over them forever, wherever they go and however they are used? Put differently, does “jurisdiction follow equipment if it travels away from…
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…
Read MoreEmbarrassing MSHA Enforcement Actions
MSHA Has Issued A Number Of Citations Or Orders That Do Little To Advance Miner Safety And Health. You Won’t Believe Some Of Them. By Brian Hendrix No one is perfect, and humans make all sorts of mistakes for all sorts of reasons. Mine operators and miners make mistakes, and so do MSHA inspectors. Human nature, the complexity and dynamic…
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