Technology and MSHA haven’t been exactly compatible until recently. Slow governmental bureaucracy at its best with its physical paper trails and rigidity to the status quo. For years, it was acceptable since most of the mining industry are not exactly bastions of change.
However, MSHA inspectors finally moved their inspections to field tablets to streamline their efforts and it’s made a huge difference. It’s like suddenly, inspectors could cover more ground since they aren’t bogged down in paperwork.
Times are beginning to change for the industry and we expect mine operators will want to keep up with inspectors to not only manage compliance, but also use the data to make better operational decisions.
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MSHA Fatalities
A miner lost their life on July 17th involving a rock crusher. Sadly this is the 25th fatality this year and the 11th involving machinery.
DOL's new proposed rule on PPE Fit
DOL just submitted a notice of a proposed rulemaking to clarify the PPE standard. Currently, the standard doesn’t clearly state that a persons PPE must fit properly. The industries expected to be affected by this change are construction, general industry, and maritime.
Crystalline Silica public hearings & comment period
MSHA has announced 3 public hearings on the proposed rulemaking for crystalline silica. Public comments can be entered at the federal rulemaking portal. The public hearings will be available in-person or online participation
Arlington, Virginia, on Aug. 3, 2023
Beckley, West Virginia, on Aug. 10, 2023
Denver, Colorado, on Aug. 21, 2023
Quarterly Stakeholder Call
MSHA’s Monthly Impact Inspections May 2023
MSHA performed 16 Monthly Impact Inspections in May. Nearly half (7) were Bituminous Coal Mines, as well as four Cement Plants. A total of 279 citations and orders were issued and 30% were S&S. Cement plants were hit the hardest as 50% of all citations from the May impact were attributed to Cement.
Enforcement history has the most frequent justification given followed by inadequate exams and accidents.
April 2023 saw 20 mines inspected with an S&S rate of 27%. Both April and May saw an average of 17 citations issued per facility.
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