Here’s A Story About An Operator Who Called Local Law Enforcement On A Field Office Supervisor Who Refused To Present His Credentials. By Brian Hendrix A reader in the industry recently asked me for my take on his practice of asking MSHA inspectors for their credentials. He explained that he asks for an inspector’s credentials, either an authorized representative (AR)…
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What Is A “Miners’ Representative”?
The Answer Isn’t Obvious And Would Likely Surprise Anyone Who’s Not Familiar With The Mining Industry. By Brian Hendrix What is a miners’ representative? Are they selected, elected, designated or authorized? How? By whom? Are they affiliated with a union or represent union members? A miners’ representatives must at least be an experienced miner, right? Currently employed as a miner…
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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 Posts Enhanced Enforcement Program for Truckers, Supervisors
MSHA’s analysis of recent data indicates that accidents involving customer and contract truck drivers, and managers and supervisors performing mining tasks represent a significant number of recent fatalities. MSHA has implemented an enhanced enforcement program to help improve safety and health in the mining industry. Any citations issued for violations discussed below may be considered for a special assessment. This…
Read MoreCourt Orders Missouri Mine Owner to Let Inspectors Onsite
A federal district court judge issued an injunction to prevent a Missouri mine operator and its owner from stopping federal inspectors from completing workplace safety inspections now and in the future at the Partridge Sand & Gravel mine in Stone, Mo. The court action follows an incident at the mine on Aug. 17, 2021, when inspectors with the U.S. Department…
Read MoreTask Training: How MSHA Cites Operators for Unsafe Acts
There Are Two Main Reasons MSHA Focuses On Unsafe Conditions, Not Unsafe Acts, And Those Reasons Are Related. By R. Brian Hendrix
Read MorePrinciple Number Three: Compliance = Safety
This is the third in a series of six columns exploring traditional principles of safety. Previous parts were entitled: “Safety First” and “Safety is Just Common Sense.” – Ed.
Read MoreMSHA Issues POV Notice Despite Ongoing Court Challenge
By Ross Watzman The Rule, Which Took Effect in March, Allows MSHA to Issue a Notice Without First Issuing a Potential POV Notice.
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