Tag: Federal Mine Safety & Health Act of 1977

MSHA: No mines in U.S. have pattern of violations

October 1, 2021 By Jack Kopanski

The Mine Safety & Health Administration (MSHA) found that none of the 12,000 mine operations in the U.S. met the criteria for patterns of violations for the seventh consecutive year.

Aggregate producers may see rulemaking on powered haulage safety in 2020, perhaps incorporating requirements for deploying new tech into current safety standards. Photo by Kevin Yanik

How to recognize signs of ramped-up MSHA enforcement

August 2, 2021 By Bill Doran and Margo Lopez

Congress included in the Federal Mine Safety & Health Act what could be described as a “ramped up” enforcement scheme for the Mine Safety & Health Administration (MSHA).

MSHA is intensifying its approach to workplace health. Photo by Joe McCarthy.

Where the industry stands with MHSA – and what’s ahead

June 29, 2021 By Margo Lopez and Bill Doran

It has been more than five months since the Biden administration took office, and while there is still a lot to learn about the potential enforcement focus of the MHSA, much has become clearer.

With UAV mapping efficiently producing such precise maps, there's no reason to be putting human lives on the line for this task.

New look at the test for discrimination

June 8, 2021 By William Doran and Margo Lopez

The Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals issued a decision that could signal a major shift in the way Mine Safety & Health Administration discrimination cases are litigated.

To help reinforce the proper use of personal fall protection, NIOSH developed two infographics on fall protection (“As Simple as ABC” and “As Easy as 123”) that may be posted in useful areas. Photo: NIOSH

Understanding why workers fall

February 8, 2021 By Jonathan K. Hrica, Mahiyar F. Nasarwanji, Brianna M. Eiter, Jonisha P. Pollard and Lydia M. Kocher

Falls are an imminent danger in mining, but having protection equipment and the know-how to use it is the recipe to avoid accidents.

Photo: Gabe Beaird/iStock / Getty Images Plus/Getty Images

What to expect with MSHA’s informal conference process

January 20, 2021 By William Doran and Margo Lopez

With the new presidential administration beginning, there are many changes that can be anticipated at the Mine Safety & Health Administration (MSHA) – including the agency’s informal conference process.

MSHA: No POV notices issued in last 12-month stretch

March 20, 2020 By Kevin Yanik

The Mine Safety & Health Administration’s (MSHA) most recent Pattern of Violations (POV) screening period stretched from February 2019 to January 2020.

US mines do not meet POV criteria for fifth consecutive year

November 11, 2019 By Joe McCarthy

None of the nation’s 13,000-plus mining operations met the criteria for a Pattern of Violations (POV) for the fifth consecutive year.

MSHA program reclaims $5.2M in unpaid fines

October 25, 2018 By Kevin Yanik

According to the Mine Safety & Health Administration (MSHA), a strengthened enforcement initiative has produced outstanding fines this year from 49 mine operators.