Improvements in Mine Rescue Readiness

Since 2010, MSHA has been upgrading and modernizing it’s mine emergency equipment. With new groundbreaking developments, mine safety is becoming more and more efficient. MSHA held a demonstration of the new tools at the Pittsburgh Safety and Health Technology Center. Learn More

Safety Law Newsletter – December

OSHA/MSHA Forecast 2017: What Now!?! By: Adele L. Abrams, Esq., CMSP – The dust has barely settled from the most contentious presidential election in history, and it is clear that big changes are in store for regulation and enforcement by the Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA) in the next four years. Under President Obama,…

National Miner’s Day

On Dec. 6 we recognize National Miner’s Day. This day marks the anniversary of the worst mining accident in history on Dec. 6, 1907, in Monogah, West Virginia. The disaster resulted in the deaths of 362 miners. In 2009, Congress proclaimed that each Dec. 6 would be recognized as National Miner’s Day. This is a reminder of…

November Contact Safety

Preventing Slips, Trips and Falls Slips, trips and falls are the number one cause of injuries in the workplace. According to 2010 data from the Bureau of Labor and Statistics (BLS), slips, trips and falls accounted for approximately 25% of lost time injuries. (Cani, 2012) Since 2012, Metal/Non-metal mines in the U.S. have experienced 12…

October Contact Safety

Hand/Power Tool Safety Hand tools and power tools have played an important role throughout human history.  They have become commonplace in our daily lives and are present in just about every occupational setting to include mining.  In addition, many of these same tools can be found in most of our homes.  While these tools serve…

SME December Meeting: Manager’s Night

The SME December Meeting: Manager’s Night will take place on Tuesday, Dec. 6 from 6-8 p.m. at The Club at Eaglebrooke! There will be a buffet style dinner of prime rib & shrimp, beer, wine and soft drinks. It’s manager’s night, so be sure to invite your boss to be recognized and dine while we get a…

Safety Law Newsletter – November

Feds Eye Effectiveness of State Workers’ Compensation Systems By: Adele L. Abrams, Esq., CMSP. A new report by the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) highlights the ways that monetary compensation and medical care for workers harmed in workplace accidents has been undermined in recent decades, and could signal a willingness to change its traditional “hands…

MSHA announces results of September 2016 impact inspections

ARLINGTON, Va. – The U.S. Department of Labor’s Mine Safety and Health Administration announced today that federal inspectors issued 146 citations, six orders and one safeguard during special impact inspections at 11 coal mines and five metal and nonmetal mines in September 2016.   Begun in force in April 2010, the monthly inspections involve mines that…

MSHA Holds Third Quarterly Conference Call

Sam Pierce, SE District Stakeholder, holds quarterly conference calls. In his latest call he discussed walk and talks that are currently in place, and he emphasized the use of seat belts; “proven by history that there is a better chance of survival when seat belts are worn.” He discussed supervisory oversight for safety – the importance…