An SCSR is a lifesaving device that miners depend upon in times of emergency to escape from a hazardous environment within the mine. To keep this important device functioning reliably, daily inspections and upkeep become a ‘life or death’ matter. Though you may consider this to be a high-maintenance relationship, it is worth the necessary attention.
Agency chief outlines improvements in recent speech
February 10, 2014
I appreciate the opportunity to be here today to update you on the actions taken by MSHA and the mining community to improve mine safety and health, and on the results. Over the past year, MSHA has implemented several changes, continuing the transformation we have made to our agency, and to mine safety. I will share some of those with you today.
Fatal falls, a mine safety rule moves forward, a Safety 2014 preview
January 25, 2014
Workers killed in separate facility incidents hours apart in Neb. and Oklahoma, Qs and As about OSHA’s proposed silica rule and and an airline flight mistake that could have been much worse were among this week’s top EHS-related stories as featured on ISHN.com.
The United Mine Workers of America (UMWA) is cheering a proposed rule by the West Virginia Board of Coal Mine Health and Safety that would mandate the installation of proximity devices on mining equipment throughout the state.
Company waited 1 1/2 hours to contact mine rescue team leader
January 21, 2014
The Federal Mine Safety and Health Review Commission has overturned a decision by an administrative law judge involving Wolf Run Mining Co.'s Sago Mine in Upshur County, W.Va., where 12 miners died in a massive explosion on Jan. 2, 2006.
The Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) announced that it met the deadline for making changes recommended after the deadly April 2010 Upper Big Branch (UBB) mine tragedy.
In 2013, 42 miners died in work-related accidents at the nation's mines, an increase of six over last year. Of those fatalities, 20 were in coal mining and 22 were in metal/nonmetal mining, compared with 20 and 16, respectively, in 2012.
According to preliminary data released by the U.S. Department of Labor's Mine Safety and Health Administration, 42 miners died in work-related accidents at the nation's mines in 2013, an increase from the 36 miners who died in 2012.
Despite the government shutdown the Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) did manage to conduct special impact inspections at nine mines during October that resulted in 120 citations and ten orders being issued.
Citizens demand right to go along on state inspections
December 19, 2013
The West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) has been ordered by the state’s Surface Mine Board to allow citizens to take part in an inspection of strip mining near an historic site.