Workplace exam education opportunities available

MSHA plans to host several stakeholder meetings in November to answer questions bout the workplace exams rule. Photo by Kevin Yanik

The Mine Safety & Health Administration (MSHA) plans to hold a series of stakeholder meetings to educate aggregate producers and others about the reinstated 2017 workplace examinations rule.

According to the National Stone, Sand & Gravel Association (NSSGA), MSHA is hosting five meetings as part of a 90-day implementation period that the agency promised operations before beginning enforcement this December.

The first of five meetings took place in Dallas, and the next four will take place in Birmingham, Alabama (Nov. 7), Bloomington, Illinois (Nov. 12), Denver (Nov. 14) and Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania (Nov. 21).

According to NSSGA, at least one of its staff members will attend a meeting, and the association will share any training materials distributed with its remembers. NSSGA also plans to report on key topics MSHA staff and meeting attendees raise.

In tandem with the meeting announcements, MSHA released an updated fact sheet and frequently asked questions document about the workplace exams rule. The fact sheet includes an overview of the rule’s history and major requirements operators must meet. The frequently asked questions doc also includes a summary of the rule’s requirements and defines key terms listed in the rule.