Mine Safety Institute

09/03/2020

https://www.fisherphillips.com/resources-alerts-mining-msha-what-is-negligence Controlling the negligence on any citation or order can be very important. Negligence determinations directly affect penalty amount; the higher the negligence, the higher the corresponding penalty.

So far in this series, we have discussed conferencing and contesting citations and orders and what is “Significant and Substantial.” Here, we turn our attention to another important designation on a citation or order: operator negligence.

08/25/2020

https://www.pitandquarry.com/the-coronavirus-msha-compliance-and-things-you-may-have-overlooked/
Many producers adapted quickly, and regular procedures that were once foreign to the industry’s work are now commonplace. But questions continue to swirl around compliance as it relates to the Mine Safety & Health Administration (MSHA).

Producers have a number of new considerations to make when it comes to Mine Safety & Health Administration (MSHA) compliance, including potentially citable areas.

07/16/2020

https://www.msha.gov/msha-response-covid-19 Are you informed about MSHA's response to COVID-19?

The Mine Safety and Health Administration’s (MSHA) mission is to protect the safety and health of the nation’s miners. As long as miners continue to work at a mine, MSHA will continue to perform its statutorily-required essential functions within the parameters of the President’s and Departmen...

04/16/2020

MSHA has released official training guidance during the COVID-19 pandemic.

"The Mine Safety and Health Administration will work with mine operators when it comes to the following recertifications:
- Annual refresher training certification (30 CFR Part 46)
- Surface and underground annual refresher training certification (30 CFR Part 48)
- Certified person; sampling (30 CFR §§ 70/71/90.202)
- Certified person; maintenance and calibration (30 CFR §§ 70/71/90.203)

Exemptions to recertifications will not be granted; however, their due dates will be extended by at least the time the government is operating under the President’s emergency declaration.

Please note: This exception does not apply to new miner training. New miners must be trained before beginning work. Once the Emergency Declaration is lifted, mine operators should work with their respective district offices to ensure that all certifications are conducted in a timely manner."

Check out the Mine Safety Institute's Training products to see if they are a good fit for your operation at this time: https://minesafetyinstitute.org/purchase/

04/03/2020

It’s Dark at Night. That may seem obvious, but it’s an important point to remember. Mining at night means you are mining in the dark with artificial lights that create the need for your eyes to constantly adjust to changing light conditions. This will create regular delays in your reaction time to hazards. Learn how to avoid hazards when mining at night.

That may seem obvious, but it’s an important point to remember. Mining at night means you are mining in the dark with artificial lights that create the need for your eyes to constantly adjust to changing light conditions. This will create regular delays in your reaction time to hazards.

03/20/2020

While MSHA has not issued a written policy publicly, it is reported that they will rely on internal guidance regarding enforcement of annual training and other requirements in light of the Coronavirus. MSHA will assess Annual Refresher Training on a case-by-case basis and grant a 30-day grace period where miners may be over the 12-month training requirement. This will be reevaluated as the situation continues to develop and may be extended, particularly if the nation remains in a state of emergency. Similar guidance will be implemented regarding audiometric testing and other training requirements. Operators are urged to utilize virtual training options, have a plan to make up training sessions, and keep in touch with their the appropriate MSHA office with any questions and concerns.

With respect to inspections, MSHA plans to continue their regular inspections: 2 per year for surface mines and 4 per year for underground. Inspections, and inspector travel, are deemed essential, which is why inspections will continue.

The Mine Safety Institute urges you to reach out to your regional MSHA office for clarification and to receive guidance directly from them. You can find your office here: https://www.msha.gov/about/program-areas/metal-and-nonmetal-mine-safety-and-health

03/13/2020

https://lnkd.in/eQFkfJ4 There has been an uptick in enforcement efforts related to structural integrity over the past six to seven years, due in large part to some high-profile structural failures at mines around the country.

02/20/2020

The crushing arena is undoubtedly a hazardous environment. Large material and debris can jam inside the crusher, damaging components and causing costly downtime. Over the years, the Mine Safety & Health Administration has reported a number of injuries and fatalities occurred when workers climbed in or under the jaw to manually clear, repair or adjust typical older-style crushers.

A closer look at modern crusher hydraulic systems illustrates how operation and productivity are affected.

02/07/2020

There were 24 mining fatalities in the U.S. in 2019, the U.S. Department of Labor’s Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) reports.
This is the fewest annual fatalities ever recorded, and only the fifth year in MSHA’s 43-year history that mining fatalities were below 30.

https://www.msha.gov/news-media/press-releases/2020/01/30/corrected-fatal-us-mining-accidents-dropped-2019

01/31/2020

Here's the latest complementary training resource from The Toolbox by Mine Safety Institute.
There is no end to the large and heavy things that need to be lifted and carried around the mine site. Asking for help when needed, using proper techniques and making sure that the walkway is clear are essential to preventing injury.

There is no end to the large and heavy things that need to be lifted and carried around the mine site. Asking for help when needed, using proper techniques and making sure that the walkway is clear are essential to preventing injury.

01/30/2020

Have you considered becoming a Certified Mine Safety Professional? ⚒🚜
http://www.smecmsp.org/

01/16/2020

MSHA is hosting a tuition-free seminar for mining company managers, blasting engineers, blasters, and others involved with the planning, design, and use of explosives in the mining industry on February 19 in Beaver, WV

This tuition-free seminar is for mining company managers, blasting engineers, blasters, and others involved with the planning, design, and use of explosives in the mining industry. The seminar will be held at the National Mine Health and Safety Academy in Beaver, West Virginia, starting at 7:30 a.m....