US Department of Labor issues final rule adopting voluntary consensus standards for electric motor-driven mine equipment, accessories

News

The U.S. Department of Labor announced today that its Mine Safety and Health Administration has issued a final rule that updates testing, evaluation and approval requirements for electric motor-driven mine equipment and accessories used in gassy mines with high risks of fire and explosion. Read the full news release now: https://www.dol.gov/newsroom/releases/msha/msha20241209

Dump Point and Stockpile Safety – Safety Alert

News

Recent accidents highlight the risks associated with dump points and stockpiles, especially where stockpile stability and visibility are of concern. Fatalities and serious injuries have occurred when heavy equipment operators traveled or dumped material too close to a stockpile edge or worked too close to the toe of an over-steepened stockpile. Best Practices Examine stockpiles…

US Department of Labor conducted impact inspections at 15 mines with histories of repeated health, safety violations in October 2024

News

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor announced today that its Mine Safety and Health Administration completed impact inspections in October 2024 at 15 mines in Alabama, Arkansas, Colorado, Illinois, Kentucky, Louisiana, Michigan, Missouri, Nevada, New York, Pennsylvania, West Virginia, and Wyoming and issued 286 violations. The agency conducts impact inspections at mines that merit…

Resource Guide to Prevent Opioid Use Disorder

News

Opioid use disorder is a serious concern in the mining industry, and we’re committed to supporting safe, healthy workplaces. The new “Implementing Effective Workplace Solutions to Prevent Opioid Use Disorder: A Resource Guide for the Mining Industry” provides practical tools to help mine operators, safety managers, and others implement workplace strategies that prevent opioid use…

HEALTH ALERT: Mold During Disaster Cleanups

News

Water damage from natural disasters can result in mold growth. Following the devastating effects of Hurricanes Helene and Milton, workplaces with water damage (including flooding, excess rainwater, and/or damaged plumbing) should be monitored for mold growth. How does mold grow after a hurricane? Mold can form on materials that contain moisture. Mold often forms 24…

April 13, 2024 Fatality – Fatality Alert

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MINE FATALITY – On April 13, 2024, a front-end loader operator drowned, lying face down in a pool of water. The front-end loader operator was last seen using a water hose to wash material off a concrete pad next to a pool of water. Best Practices: Conduct adequate workplace examinations before work begins in an…

US Department of Labor awards more than $10.5M in grants to support mine safety, health training across the nation

News

The U.S. Department of Labor announced today that its Mine Safety and Health Administration has awarded more than $10.5 million in grants to organizations in 45 states, the Navajo Nation and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands to reduce mining accidents, injuries and illnesses by supporting programs such as safety and health courses. MSHA…

Department of Labor completed impact inspections at 8 mines in 7 states with histories of repeated health, safety violations in September 2024

News

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor announced today that its Mine Safety and Health Administration completed impact inspections in September 2024 at eight mines in Indiana, Kentucky, New Hampshire, Pennsylvania, Virginia, West Virginia and Wisconsin and issued 112 violations. The agency conducts impact inspections at mines that merit increased agency attention and enforcement due…

September 28, 2024 Fatality

Fatality Alert: September 28, 2024 Fatality

News

MINE FATALITY – On September 28, 2024, a 34 year-old miner with 14 years of mining experience was injured when the hook and strap assembly broke while attached to two longwall shields. The miner died from his injuries on October 5, 2024. Best Practices: Use blocking material under the shields or a properly sized mechanical…

Implementing Effective Workplace Solutions to Prevent Opioid Use Disorder: A Resource Guide for the Mining Industry

News

Opioid use disorder is a serious concern in the mining industry, and we’re committed to supporting safe, healthy workplaces. The new “Implementing Effective Workplace Solutions to Prevent Opioid Use Disorder: A Resource Guide for the Mining Industry” provides practical tools to help mine operators, safety managers, and others implement workplace strategies that prevent opioid use…