MSHA Reports Second, Third Fatalities of 2022

The Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) reported that on Jan. 7, a 35-year-old continuous mining machine (CMM) operator was fatally injured when he was pinned between the remote controlled CMM and the coal rib; and on Jan. 11, a 32-year-old miner died while driving on a mine road when a tree fell from a highwall onto the cab of…

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Vaccination pilot program targets miners in Kentucky, Arizona

The U.S. Department of Labor announced a new program designed to encourage COVID-19 vaccination among miners in Kentucky and Arizona. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention report that vaccination rates are below 60% in the two states where a substantial number of mining operations exist. Read full story from North American Mining.

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Increase in MSHA Penalties

On Jan. 14, the U.S. Department of Labor published a final rule in the Federal Register that will increase Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) civil monetary penalties by 1.06222%. The Federal Civil Penalties Inflation Adjustment Act Improvements Act of 2015 requires the department to adjust its civil monetary penalty levels for inflation annually no later than Jan. 15 of…

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MSHA Reports 32nd Fatality of the Year

The Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) reported that on Nov. 17, a customer truck driver at East Coast Mines Ltd., Suffolk, N.Y., was electrocuted after the tarping mechanism on the trailer contacted a high-voltage overhead power line. While exiting the cab of the truck, the victim contacted the energized truck and received a nonfatal electrical shock.  When he tried…

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Williamson tapped to lead MSHA

The Biden administration has nominated West Virginia native Christopher Williamson for assistant secretary for mine safety and health at the U.S. Department of Labor. Williamson, who will replace David Zatezalo if his nomination is confirmed by the Senate, currently serves as the senior counsel to Chairman Lauren McFerran at the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB). Prior to his current seat,…

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MSHA announces proposed rule for safety program

The U.S. Department of Labor’s Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) announced a proposed rule requiring mine operators that employ six or more miners to develop a written safety program for mobile equipment and powered haulage equipment (except belt conveyors) used at surface mines and surface areas of underground mines. Read full article from North American Mining.

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