FROM: U.S. DEPARTMENT OF LABOR
MSHA announces results of October and November impact inspections
ARLINGTON, Va. — The U.S. Department of Labor's Mine Safety and Health Administration today announced that federal inspectors issued 174 citations, 11 orders and two safeguards during special impact inspections conducted at 12 coal mines in November. In October, MSHA conducted impact inspections at six coal mines and three metal and nonmetal mines, where inspectors issued 120 citations and 10 orders. Impact inspections were curtailed during part of October due to the government shutdown.
The monthly inspections, which began in force in April 2010 following the explosion at the Upper Big Branch Mine, involve mines that merit increased agency attention and enforcement due to their poor compliance history or particular compliance concerns.
On Nov. 21, MSHA conducted an impact inspection at Maple Coal Co.'s Maple Eagle No. 1 Mine in Fayette County, W.Va. Inspectors traveled belt lines, inspected mobile and stationary equipment, and evaluated section ventilation and roof control. They issued 36 citations and six orders; it was the eighth impact inspection at this mine.
During the inspection, enforcement personnel observed a 20-foot crack in the mine roof at a belt feeder where miners regularly travel. Inspectors also found an area of loose roof strata 60 feet long and up to 8 feet wide where miners were at risk of being struck by falling rock. MSHA issued a 104(d)(1) withdrawal order for violating the approved roof control plan and failing to install needed roof supports. The operator was also cited for a loose coal rib approximately 24 feet long that was cracked and separating from the solid wall. These hazards had the potential to cause catastrophic injuries or fatalities to miners.
Maple Eagle No.1 Mine was issued three 104(d)(1) withdrawal orders for violating the approved ventilation plan. The operator did not properly construct or complete several overcasts (enclosed airways used to maintain ventilation) in several entries. The operator also failed to maintain intake airways clear of combustible materials, and had let water accumulate in one of the entries. The mine operator was cited for failing to identify and correct in its preshift inspection hazards that were obvious, extensive and had existed for several shifts.
While monitoring the mine's communication system, MSHA detected and cited the mine operator for providing advance notice.
Since April 2010, MSHA has conducted 687 impact inspections and issued 11,427 citations, 1,052 orders and 48 safeguards.
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Showing posts with label MSHA. Show all posts
Showing posts with label MSHA. Show all posts
Sunday, December 22, 2013
Sunday, August 18, 2013
OSHA STANDARD MEETS MSHA'S STANDARD
FROM: U.S. LABOR DEPARTMENT
MSHA clarifies that OSHA's hazard communication standard meets requirements of MSHA's HazCom standard
ARLINGTON, Va. — The U.S. Department of Labor's Mine Safety and Health Administration today issued guidance to the mining industry to clarify that mine operators who meet the Occupational Safety and Health Administration's hazard communication standard will be in compliance with MSHA's hazard communication standard. The guidance, in a program policy letter, reflects MSHA's understanding that many mine operators are meeting OSHA's HazCom standard.
OSHA recently published an update to its Hazard Communication Standard, incorporating the United Nations' Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labeling of Chemicals. Major changes to OSHA's HazCom standard include a new system of classifying types and degrees of hazards, changes to labeling requirements and changes to the Safety Data Sheet, formerly called the Material Safety Data Sheet.
"MSHA policy being issued today clarifies that compliance with OSHA's HazCom rule meets the requirements of MSHA's HazCom rule," said Joseph A. Main, assistant secretary of labor for mine safety and health. "We recognize that many mines already receive safety data sheets and labels for hazardous chemicals that are developed in accordance with OSHA's revised standard. We also recognize that mine operators may be required to develop safety data sheets and labels compliant with OSHA's standard in order to transport, import or export hazardous chemicals because of the transition to the global classification and labeling system.
"This compatibility is a win-win: it reduces the burden of maintaining two separate systems for identifying hazardous chemicals and communication of hazards while providing at least the same protections to miners as MSHA's existing HazCom standard. A single system will also promote consistency with other industries and federal agencies with respect to identification and communication of hazards," said Main.
Title 30, Part 47 of the Code of Federal Regulations requires mine operators to develop, implement, and maintain a written HazCom program. Operators must identify chemicals, make a hazard determination, ensure that containers of hazardous chemicals have labels, have and make available a data sheet for each hazardous chemical used or produced at the mine; and instruct miners on the physical and health hazards of the chemicals in the miners' work area, protective measures, and contents of the HazCom program.
While OSHA's HazCom standard is compatible with MSHA's, some aspects of OSHA's hazard classification may not be compatible with other existing MSHA standards, such as storage requirements for hazardous chemicals. Mine operators must comply with all existing MSHA standards concerning hazardous chemicals.
Under MSHA's HazCom standard, operators are required to train miners on the contents of the mine's HazCom program. Operators must describe in their written HazCom programs the HazCom practices in place at the mine, including practices for hazard determination, labels, and safety data sheets. For this reason, if operators choose to incorporate OSHA's updated HazCom rule, they also must update their written HazCom programs and conduct miner training on the new system.
MSHA clarifies that OSHA's hazard communication standard meets requirements of MSHA's HazCom standard
ARLINGTON, Va. — The U.S. Department of Labor's Mine Safety and Health Administration today issued guidance to the mining industry to clarify that mine operators who meet the Occupational Safety and Health Administration's hazard communication standard will be in compliance with MSHA's hazard communication standard. The guidance, in a program policy letter, reflects MSHA's understanding that many mine operators are meeting OSHA's HazCom standard.
OSHA recently published an update to its Hazard Communication Standard, incorporating the United Nations' Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labeling of Chemicals. Major changes to OSHA's HazCom standard include a new system of classifying types and degrees of hazards, changes to labeling requirements and changes to the Safety Data Sheet, formerly called the Material Safety Data Sheet.
"MSHA policy being issued today clarifies that compliance with OSHA's HazCom rule meets the requirements of MSHA's HazCom rule," said Joseph A. Main, assistant secretary of labor for mine safety and health. "We recognize that many mines already receive safety data sheets and labels for hazardous chemicals that are developed in accordance with OSHA's revised standard. We also recognize that mine operators may be required to develop safety data sheets and labels compliant with OSHA's standard in order to transport, import or export hazardous chemicals because of the transition to the global classification and labeling system.
"This compatibility is a win-win: it reduces the burden of maintaining two separate systems for identifying hazardous chemicals and communication of hazards while providing at least the same protections to miners as MSHA's existing HazCom standard. A single system will also promote consistency with other industries and federal agencies with respect to identification and communication of hazards," said Main.
Title 30, Part 47 of the Code of Federal Regulations requires mine operators to develop, implement, and maintain a written HazCom program. Operators must identify chemicals, make a hazard determination, ensure that containers of hazardous chemicals have labels, have and make available a data sheet for each hazardous chemical used or produced at the mine; and instruct miners on the physical and health hazards of the chemicals in the miners' work area, protective measures, and contents of the HazCom program.
While OSHA's HazCom standard is compatible with MSHA's, some aspects of OSHA's hazard classification may not be compatible with other existing MSHA standards, such as storage requirements for hazardous chemicals. Mine operators must comply with all existing MSHA standards concerning hazardous chemicals.
Under MSHA's HazCom standard, operators are required to train miners on the contents of the mine's HazCom program. Operators must describe in their written HazCom programs the HazCom practices in place at the mine, including practices for hazard determination, labels, and safety data sheets. For this reason, if operators choose to incorporate OSHA's updated HazCom rule, they also must update their written HazCom programs and conduct miner training on the new system.
Friday, June 21, 2013
MINE RESCUE PROGRAM EMBRACED
FROM: U.S. DEPARTMENT OF LABOR
Holmes Safety Association embraces mine rescue component
ARLINGTON, Va. —The recent decision by the Joseph A. Holmes Safety Association to create a separate mine rescue program represents a critical component in a three-year effort by the Mine Safety and Health Administration to address gaps in how the nation responds to mine emergencies.
"We now have a new partner—a national organization to support and provide the necessary guidance for mine rescue," said Joseph A. Main, assistant secretary of labor for mine safety and health.
The Joseph A. Holmes Safety Association overwhelmingly approved a constitutional amendment and change to its bylaws to create a mine rescue component during its annual meeting June 4-6 in Virginia Beach, Va. The association will provide a forum for the mine rescue community to collaborate on best practices, procedures and training to enhance mine rescue capabilities for coal and metal/nonmetal mines. It also will serve as a vehicle to disseminate guidelines, training and tools to the mining community.
"Mine rescue is among the most dangerous and challenging types of rescue work undertaken in this country, and we owe those who volunteer for these high-risk missions the best training and support we can give them," said Main. "This month’s vote returns mine rescue to its roots within the Joseph A. Holmes Safety Association."
Since May 2010, MSHA has hosted three summits and held a number of events with the mine rescue community to discuss the latest improvements in mine rescue, identify remaining gaps in mine emergency response and preparedness, and decide what further actions are needed to ensure a swift and comprehensive response from government, industry and others in the event of a mine emergency.
A meeting to establish the executive committee and officers of the new mine rescue organizational component of Holmes will take place on Oct. 29, 2013, at the National Mine Health and Safety Academy in Beaver, W.Va.
The Joseph A. Holmes Safety Association, founded in 1916 to promote health and safety in mining, was named for Dr. Joseph A. Holmes, a mine safety pioneer and the first director of the U.S. Bureau of Mines. Holmes was instrumental in establishing and organizing mine rescue teams and training during the early part of the 20th century. The nonprofit organization consists of representatives from federal and state governments, mining organizations and labor.
Holmes Safety Association embraces mine rescue component
ARLINGTON, Va. —The recent decision by the Joseph A. Holmes Safety Association to create a separate mine rescue program represents a critical component in a three-year effort by the Mine Safety and Health Administration to address gaps in how the nation responds to mine emergencies.
"We now have a new partner—a national organization to support and provide the necessary guidance for mine rescue," said Joseph A. Main, assistant secretary of labor for mine safety and health.
The Joseph A. Holmes Safety Association overwhelmingly approved a constitutional amendment and change to its bylaws to create a mine rescue component during its annual meeting June 4-6 in Virginia Beach, Va. The association will provide a forum for the mine rescue community to collaborate on best practices, procedures and training to enhance mine rescue capabilities for coal and metal/nonmetal mines. It also will serve as a vehicle to disseminate guidelines, training and tools to the mining community.
"Mine rescue is among the most dangerous and challenging types of rescue work undertaken in this country, and we owe those who volunteer for these high-risk missions the best training and support we can give them," said Main. "This month’s vote returns mine rescue to its roots within the Joseph A. Holmes Safety Association."
Since May 2010, MSHA has hosted three summits and held a number of events with the mine rescue community to discuss the latest improvements in mine rescue, identify remaining gaps in mine emergency response and preparedness, and decide what further actions are needed to ensure a swift and comprehensive response from government, industry and others in the event of a mine emergency.
A meeting to establish the executive committee and officers of the new mine rescue organizational component of Holmes will take place on Oct. 29, 2013, at the National Mine Health and Safety Academy in Beaver, W.Va.
The Joseph A. Holmes Safety Association, founded in 1916 to promote health and safety in mining, was named for Dr. Joseph A. Holmes, a mine safety pioneer and the first director of the U.S. Bureau of Mines. Holmes was instrumental in establishing and organizing mine rescue teams and training during the early part of the 20th century. The nonprofit organization consists of representatives from federal and state governments, mining organizations and labor.
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