In a ceremony in Washington, D.C., the National Mining Association (NMA), the U.S. National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health and the U.S. Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement honored outstanding achievements in mine safety and technology. NMA’s Sentinels of Safety Award recognizes mining operations in 10 categories for recording the most hours in a calendar year without a…
Read MoreTag: OSHA
MSHA’s Response to President Biden’s Vaccine ‘Mandate’
MSHA Deputy Assistant Secretary Jeannette Galanis, Informed Stakeholders That MSHA Would Not Issue An ETS. By Brian Hendrix Writing yet another column about the COVID-19 pandemic was high on my “To Don’t” list. You may feel the same way about reading another column about the pandemic. Yet, here we are, and we have President Biden to thank or to blame…
Read MoreCOVID-19: Injury and Illness Reporting Requirements and Other Impacts
The Pandemic Has Changed All Workplaces Around the United States. By Donna Pryor
Read MoreFIRST LOOK – JUNE 2020
TOP NEWS Summit Materials’ Aggregates Volumes Increase Summit Materials Inc. reported that net revenue increased by 11.9% to $342.4 million in the first quarter 2020, versus $306.0 million in the prior-year period. The improvement in net revenue was primarily attributable to organic volume and price growth in ready-mix concrete and aggregates. Martin Marietta Reports Strong First Quarter Martin Marietta Materials…
Read MoreFIRST LOOK – OCTOBER 2018
TOP NEWS Cemex Makes Acquisition Cemex USA acquired a Blue Star Materials II aggregates operation in Chico, Texas, positioning the company for expansion in the Dallas-Fort Worth area. The 122-acre site and quarry plant is about 45 miles northwest of Fort Worth in Wise County and has more than 25 years of limestone reserves. U.S. Concrete Expands in Texas U.S.…
Read MoreFIRST LOOK – JUNE 2018
TOP NEWS Vulcan Achieves First-Quarter Success Vulcan Materials Co. announced that first-quarter earnings from continuing operations increased 23 percent year-over-year to $53 million on a 9 percent increase in total revenues. Summit Materials Reports Revenue Increase Summit Materials Inc. announced that net revenue increased by 11.9 percent to $289.9 million in the first quarter 2018, versus $259.0 million in the…
Read MorePresident-Elect Trump’s Potential MSHA and OSHA Initiatives
An early look at the president-elect’s potential workplace safety agencies (e.g. MSHA, OSHA and NIOSH) initial actions can provide the transition team, the new cabinet and sub-cabinet, the Congress and the regulated industry insights on warranted corrections. The foggy crystal ball reports that:
Read MoreFIRST LOOK – NOVEMBER 2016
TOP NEWS Eagle Flies High Eagle Materials Inc. reported Concrete and Aggregates division revenues for the second quarter of $38.8 million, an increase of 7 percent. Second quarter operating earnings were $4.8 million, a 25 percent improvement from the same quarter a year ago, reflecting improved aggregates sales volumes and improved concrete and aggregates sales prices. Polaris Turns Up the…
Read MoreDust in the Wind
Crystalline silica exposure has been a workplace health concern in some industries for a long time. No one is debating the seriousness of the health hazards associated with over-exposure to crystalline silica.
Read MoreSilica Rule Is Regulatory Overkill
The U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) will soon publish a final workplace exposure standard for crystalline silica that will cut the permissible exposure limit in half. The final rule was recently issued by U.S. Secretary of Labor Thomas Perez.
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