MSHA offers online program to report injuries, accidents

The Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) created an interactive, online training tool to help mine operators and contractors comply with federal regulations to report accidents, illnesses and injuries.

Part 50 of the Code of Federal Regulations requires mine operators to notify MSHA of accidents, illnesses or injuries, as well as report quarterly employment and production data. Joe Main, assistant secretary of labor for mine safety and health with MSHA, says the online tool can serve as a map for mine operators and contractors to pinpoint where they are having problems and where they need to concentrate their efforts.

“For miners, it will help them better understand Part 50 requirements on reporting work-related injuries and illnesses,” Main says. “Finally, it will enhance MSHA’s ability to evaluate and develop mine safety and health initiatives, which benefit the entire mining industry.”

The Department of Labor’s Office of Inspector General raised concerns in a March 2014 report about the accurate reporting of mine injuries and illnesses by mine operators. In 2014, mine operators reported 8,176 injuries and illnesses to MSHA.

Main says injuries and illnesses also indicate the effectiveness of a mine’s health and safety program. The new online training program incorporates information on Part 50 of the Code of Regulations, including a Part 50 program policy manual; reporting deaths on mine property; reporting roof falls; filling out forms on accidents, injuries and illnesses; access to the Mine Data Retrieval System; pattern of violations criteria; and training modules for miners and mine operators.