What’s next for MSHA’s mobile equipment safety rule?

The U.S. Department of Labor is reopening the rulemaking record and hosting a virtual public hearing Jan. 11 on the Mine Safety & Health Administration’s (MSHA) proposed rule on surface mobile equipment safety programs.

According to MSHA, the proposed rule is one of several actions it has taken to reduce fatal and nonfatal injuries involving surface mobile equipment used at mines, as well as to improve safety and health.

MSHA published the proposed rule in September that would require mine operators employing six or more miners to develop a written safety program for mobile and powered haulage equipment –excluding belt conveyors – at surface mines and surface areas of underground mines.

In response to a public request, MSHA will hold the Jan. 11 hearing and reopen the comment period until Feb. 11 to receive additional comments and data from industry stakeholders on the proposed rule.