MSHA Offers A Range Of Compliance Assistance Materials For Mine Operators, Informational Materials For Miners and Other Resources. Respirable crystalline silica, or silica dust, is a common occupational hazard for coal and metal/nonmetal (MNM) miners. Silica dust is released through many mining and milling operations. To avoid any legal issues, producers should stay current on compliance. Silica dust can be…
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Xylem Launches Flygt Pareo to North America Market at MINExpo
Mining and construction operators in North America can now reduce pump wear by up to 70% and halve maintenance costs with an intelligent monitoring and control solution, according to Xylem. Designed for dewatering in harsh environments, Xylem’s Flygt Pareo solution reduces equipment life cycle costs and improves the reliability and safety of pumping operations by making any traditional dewatering pump into…
Read MoreMSHA Completes 12-Month POV Screening
The Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) released results of a Pattern of Violations (POV) screening that identifies chronic violators and mine operators that show a disregard for miners’ health and safety. The results follow the agency’s reviews which, for the first time, included more than one POV screening by MSHA in a calendar year. MSHA conducted a POV screening…
Read MoreMSHA Issues Another Safety Alert for Mobile Equipment
May 28, 2024 – The Mine Safety and Health Administration is once again targeting mobile equipment. MSHA reported that since 2020, six miners have died and 61 have suffered lost-time injuries from being struck by mobile equipment in underground production areas. MSHA recommends the following best practices to avoid this type of accident:
Read MoreInconsistency and Confusion ‘Rules’ the Day
MSHA’s “Safety Program for Surface Mobile Equipment” Rule Should Be Viewed As A Tool To Help Mining Companies Protect Their Workers And Manage Accidents. By Joseph P. McGuire Labeled a “Christmas Surprise,” the MSHA “Safety Program for Surface Mobile Equipment” rule was signed into law on Dec. 20, 2023. It became effective on Jan. 19, 2024, and requires mine operators…
Read MoreMSHA’s Silica Rule
Exploring The Depths Of Bad Rulemaking. By Brian Hendrix On April 18, MSHA published its final rule on respirable crystalline silica (Lowering Miners’ Exposure to Respirable Crystalline Silica and Improving Respiratory Protection). Two days before the publication, the Acting Secretary of Labor appeared with the Assistant Secretary for Mine Safety and Health and union leaders to announce the release of…
Read MoreMSHA’S New Safety Program For Mobile Equipment Rule
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…
Read MoreIME 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.…
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