MSHA reported that on May 22, a miner died at RiverStone Group’s Ralls County, Mo., operation when the haul truck he was operating overturned, when the edge of the bank at a dump point gave way. The haul truck landed on the roof of the cab.
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MSHA’S Jurisdiction Over Borrow Pits
Does MSHA Really Have Jurisdiction Here? It Depends. By Brian Hendrix Once or twice a year, I receive a call from a company asking me some variation of this question: Does MSHA really have jurisdiction here? The “here” part of the question differs from call-to-call. It may be a maintenance shop located miles away from any mine, a facility that…
Read MoreMSHA Reports Drowning Fatality
MSHA reported that on Feb. 25, a miner at La Havana Pit, Hidalgo, Texas, drowned when his excavator traveled over a berm into a sediment pond.
Read MoreMSHA Impact Inspections Target 20 Mines in 15 States
The U.S. Department of Labor announced that its Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) completed impact inspections at 20 mines in 15 states in April 2023 and found 335 violations. Since Jan. 1, 2023, MSHA’s inspections identified 914 violations, including 257 significant and substantial and 18 unwarrantable failure findings. An S&S violation is one reasonably likely to cause a reasonably…
Read MoreMSHA Reports 18th Fatality of 2023
MSHA reported that on May 2, a miner at Plant 280, Brookings, S.D., died when he was struck by a mobile radial stacker conveyor. This is the 18th fatality reported in 2023, and the fourth classified as “Powered Haulage.” MSHA recommends the following best practices to avoid this type of accident: Provide safe access to all working places by identifying…
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 MoreMSHA Reports 15th Fatality of 2023
MSHA reported that on April 9, a miner died at South Pittsburg Stone #2, Marion Tenn., while mounting off-road truck tires on rims. The miner was in the process of mounting a tire on its rim when another tire’s outer lock ring dislodged, became airborne and struck the victim in the head. This is the 15th fatality reported in 2023,…
Read MoreIs MSHA Prepared to Enforce a New Silica Rule?
For A Host Of Different Reasons, It’s Not, But That Doesn’t Mean They Won’t Put It Out. By Brian Hendrix Any day now, MSHA will release its new proposed respirable silica rule. If the proposed rule makes it through the rulemaking gauntlet, is finalized and survives a legal challenge(s), MSHA’s approach to silica enforcement will change. It will almost certainly…
Read MorePaying for the Sins of the Past
Let’s be real clear on something: 29 fatalities last year in the mining industry is 29 too many. Even one occupational injury is one too many. Christopher J. Williamson, Assistant Secretary of Labor for Mine Safety and Health (MSHA), recently penned a letter to the mining community pointing out those 29 fatalities; remarking on an unusually deadly start to 2023;…
Read MoreMSHA Impact Inspections Include Aggregates, Cement Plants
The U.S. Department of Labor announced that monthly impact inspections by its Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) at 16 mines in 12 states in March 2023 have identified 205 violations, including 52 significant and substantial findings. Impact inspections are done at mines that merit increased agency attention and enforcement related to poor compliance history; previous accidents, injuries, and illnesses;…
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