OSHA-MSHA Regulatory Agendas Released

For regulatory nerds, no days are more exciting than when the White House Office of Regulatory and Interagency Affairs (OIRA) releases its semi-…OSHA-MSHA Regulatory Agendas Released

This Day in History: Farmington Mine Explosion Kills 78 Miners

On November 20, 1968, 53 years ago today, 78 miners died in an explosion at the Consol No. 9 coal mine in Farmington, West Virginia. At 5:30 in the …This Day in History: Farmington Mine Explosion Kills 78 Miners

“Department of Labor Names Wayne Palmer Acting Head of Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA)”

Important Update from the Great Folks at “MSHA Law Updates from the MSHA Practice Group at Conn Maciel Carey”

The MSHA Defense Report

By: Nicholas W. Scala

While it remains to be seen whether a formal presidential appointee will be tapped to run the Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA), the Trump Administration finally made an influx of leadership decisions for the agency. Update

The Department of Labor announced that Wayne Palmer, former Chief of Staff to Labor Secretary Alex Acosta, is now the acting head of MSHA. Palmer’s replacement at the Department of Labor, Nicholas Geale (who is also the Department’s acting Solicitor), stated that Palmer is from Pennsylvania and has “mining in his family’s background.” However, it is not readily apparent if he has any professional experience working with the mining industry. Palmer’s political experience includes working for Senators Rick Santorum (R-PA) and George Voinovich (R-OH), as well as lobbyist for the pharmaceutical industry.

It is still believed the administration will nominate an appointee to serve as permanent Assistant Secretary for MSHA…

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“Coal Mine Fatality – Blue Sky Quarries, Inc. – Blue Sky Quarry #2 in Georgia” #MSHA

PDF Version METAL/NONMETAL MINE FATALITY – On July 20, 2017, a miner was driving wedges into a block of granite in an attempt to break it loose.  A piece of granite weighing 9 tons fell and crushed the victim against the quarry floor. Best Practices Always conduct examinations of the workplace to identify loose ground or … Continue reading “Coal Mine Fatality – Blue Sky Quarries, Inc. – Blue Sky Quarry #2 in Georgia” #MSHA

“Time To Act: Save 2018 FY Worker Training Grants, Health & Safety Research” #WorkplaceSafety

By Jordan Barab If you haven’t yet done so, it’s time to do so. And if you have done so, do it again: Contact your legislators about passing a budget that will protect workers.  The House Appropriations Sub-Committee that deals with OSHA, MSHA and NIOSH is scheduled to mark up the FY 2018 Appropriations Bill on Thursday, July … Continue reading “Time To Act: Save 2018 FY Worker Training Grants, Health & Safety Research” #WorkplaceSafety

“West Virginia Senate Bill Eliminates Mine Safety Enforcement”

By Ken Ward Jr. , Staff Writer, Charleston Gazette-Mail State safety inspectors wouldn’t inspect West Virginia’s coal mines anymore. They would conduct “compliance visits and education.” Violations of health and safety standards wouldn’t produce state citations and fines, either. Mine operators would receive “compliance assistance visit notices.” And West Virginia regulators wouldn’t have authority to write safety … Continue reading “West Virginia Senate Bill Eliminates Mine Safety Enforcement”

“MSHA Awards $1 Million Dollars In 2016 Brookwood-Sago Training Grants”

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VEOVVx3rDyI Funding will foster mine rescue training, mine emergency preparedness ARLINGTON, Va. – The U.S. Department of Labor’s Mine Safety and Health Administration announced today it has awarded $1 million to six organizations to develop training programs and materials that support mine rescue and mine emergency preparedness for underground mines. A provision in the Mine … Continue reading “MSHA Awards $1 Million Dollars In 2016 Brookwood-Sago Training Grants”

“MSHA Launches Enhanced Safety Standards Enforcement To Encourage Better Examinations By Industry’s Operators”

Heightened focus starts July 1 in effort to protect miners, prevent fatalities   ARLINGTON, Va. – On July 1, the U.S. Department of Labor’s Mine Safety and Health Administration will begin enhanced enforcement of “Rules to Live By,” its initiative of standards commonly cited following mine deaths, and nine underground coal mine exam rule standards … Continue reading “MSHA Launches Enhanced Safety Standards Enforcement To Encourage Better Examinations By Industry’s Operators”

90 Minutes About OSHA Most People Have Never Seen

We’ve always known OSHA as the official authority of safety and health in the U.S. But very few are aware of the fact that it produced and distributed three films in 1980. While these films are nothing like the Hollywood blockbusters you queue for in movie houses, they were real pro productions. In fact, two … Continue reading 90 Minutes About OSHA Most People Have Never Seen

MSHA Announces Results of July Impact Inspections

MSHA News Release: [08/29/2012] Contact Name: Amy Louviere Phone Number: (202) 693-9423 Release Number: 12-1757-NAT MSHA announces results of July impact inspections ARLINGTON, Va. — The U.S. Department of Labor's Mine Safety and Health Administration today announced that federal inspectors issued 262 citations, 19 orders and three safeguards during special impact inspections conducted at eight … Continue reading MSHA Announces Results of July Impact Inspections