Coal | ISHN

MSHA inspectors failed to follow policy prior to UBB tragedy, internal review finds

March 6, 2012

An investigation by the Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) found that enforcement efforts at the Upper Big Branch Mine (UBB) were "compromised" prior to the deadly 2010 explosion there, due to a failure to follow established policy on the part of agency personnel.

MSHA chief gets preview of new coal mining safety technology

February 28, 2012

Assistant Secretary of Labor for Mine Safety and Health Joseph Main recently visited three coal mines to catch up on the latest mining technology put in place by Consol Energy and Alpha Natural Resources.

MSHA surprise inspection finds coal burning near explosives

December impact inspections yield hundreds of citations

January 30, 2012

Mine Safety and Health Administration personnel conducting a special impact inspection at a Kentucky coal mine found more than they expected.

Public Citizen calls on OSHA to enforce beryllium law

January 20, 2012

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) should enforce a law requiring manufacturers of coal slag abrasive to disclose that their product contains dangerous levels of beryllium, Public Citizen said in a letter sent yesterday to OSHA enforcement director Thomas Galassi.

GOP tries to block coal dust rule

December 16, 2011

The appropriations bill package under consideration by the House contains a provision that prevent the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) from implementing a key provision in its campaign to End Black Lung, a disease which claimed the lives of 10,000 coal miners in the last decade.

Critics say justice not served by Upper Big Branch Mine settlement

December 7, 2011

An advocacy group is charging that the $209 million settlement in the Upper Big Branch Mine disaster announced yesterday does not serve justice, and that the mine operator should instead face criminal prosecution for the deaths of 29 workers in an explosion on April 5, 2010.

MSHA announces results of October impact inspections

One of targeted mines was placed on pattern of violations last April

November 23, 2011

The U.S. Department of Labor's Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) today announced that federal inspectors issued 226 citations and orders during special impact inspections conducted at eight coal mines and three metal/nonmetal mines last month.

Recent accidents raise death toll in China’s mines

November 1, 2011

Seventeen Chinese miners died last month at the Anping coal mine in southwest Guizhou province, as a new wave of coal mine explosions, cave-ins, and floods hit the country’s mining industry.

MSHA issues hundreds of citations during September impact inspections

October 31, 2011

The U.S. Department of Labor's Mine Safety and Health Administration announced last week that federal inspectors issued 374 citations, orders and safeguards during special impact inspections conducted at 18 coal mines and two metal/nonmetal mines last month.

MSHA says mechanic's death at mine could have been avoided

Worker crushed by 11,000-lb. equipment

October 24, 2011

A coal mine employee killed while removing a fuel tank/counter weight from a Caterpillar end loader died because proper work procedures were not followed, according to an investigation just concluded by the Mine Safety and Health Admininstration (MSHA).