IME, MSHA solidify alliance in name of safety, health

By Kevin Yanik| October 17, 2023

The Institute of Makers of Explosives (IME) renewed an alliance with the Mine Safety & Health Administration (MSHA) to foster safe and healthy working conditions at the nation’s mining operations.

Specifically, IME and MSHA aim to meet several objectives, including the promotion of explosives safety for the mining community. The organizations also want to aid in identifying the scope of mine safety and health concerns and provide ways to communicate those concerns to the manufacturers of explosives and blasting materials that provide services at mine sites.

Other objectives of the IME-MSHA alliance are to:

• Leverage IME’s explosives expertise to develop, distribute and promote educational and safety training resources related to explosive and blasting materials

• Develop and disseminate best practices to stakeholders who use explosives and contract blasting services

• Promote the distribution of MSHA safety alerts and other safety resources

• Promote IME participation in the development of appropriate safety resources

• Speak, exhibit or appear at IME and MSHA conferences, as well as other industry conferences or meetings attended by mine operators and explosives users and contractors to promote safe use of explosives and blasting materials

• Ensure that health and safety programs are fair and inclusive, and reach everyone in the explosives industry workforce – including those who do not speak English as their primary language

• Review final MSHA-provided accident reports and accident data that involve materials and work practices within IME’s scope

“Safety is part of our core mission at IME,” says Clark Mica, president of IME. “We’re pleased to continue working with MSHA to protect the health and safety of our workforce and the communities in which we operate. This partnership is also a value-add for the commercial explosives industry, serving as a benefit in recruiting and retaining a healthy workforce for years to come.”

Adds Brian Goepfert, administrator for mine safety and health enforcement at MSHA: “This alliance is a great collaborative effort that has and will continue to improve the health and safety of miners across the country.”