MSHA Press Release

Holiday Greetings

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Fun house

We’d like to be the first to wish you holiday greetings, but of course we’d have to have done that in August or something like that. 😉 Seriously, we know we’re not the first, but don’t want to be the last either, so be safe. No time is more precious than today whether it’s before a holiday or not. We want to remind you of that here at Complete Safety Solutions. Give the gift of yourself and be sure to do your work the way you know it’s supposed to be done, safely. In spite of a bad start, it looks like mining may end up with at least a better year than last year when it comes to fatalities. Still, too many homes are missing a loved-one this season that they shouldn’t have had to miss. It’s hard to say how we can prevent all mining related deaths, but it’s very simple to prevent the next one. Do your share and work safely.

We wish the best of everything. Enjoy the holidays.

Randy and Jolene

Download MSHA’s Holiday Alert here. (pdf)

December 6 is National Miners Day

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Miners-Day-Poster1web-493px-x-270px-

December 6th is #NationalMinersDay designated by Congress in 2009 as a day to recognize and honor the contributions and sacrifices of our nation’s miners – past, present and future.

Did you know that the U.S. has nearly 375,000 miners working in almost 14,000 mines? Our nation’s miners extract nearly 100 types of minerals from the ground, which are used to heat our homes, carry electricity, build bridges, keep highways clear in winter, and provide the raw materials for hundreds of products – from computers to cosmetics to cooking utensils.

Join us in thanking our nation’s miners for their extraordinary contributions and sacrifices.

➨ Learn more: www.msha.gov/minersday

July 2014 Impact Inspections

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MSHA-logoThe U.S. Department of Labor’s Mine Safety and Health Administration announced that federal inspectors issued 190 citations and eight orders during special impact inspections conducted at 15 coal mines and three metal and nonmetal mines in July.

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.

Click here for: MSHA report with link to spreadsheet (pdf).

MSHA Safety Alert Posted – Accidents Occur When You Least Expect IT

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mshafatalsThree fatal accidents have occurred within a week at metal and nonmetal mines. These accidents might have been avoided had there been proper berms, proper risk analysis, and careful planning before work began. MSHA has issued an alert. October is statistically one of the worst months for fatalities and unfortunately it looks like we got a head start. These three have not had fatalgrams posted yet. They will be posted here as soon as they are released by MSHA.

Meanwhile, the alert can be found here.

The Deadliest Month?

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MSHA has issued an alert for October based on numbers that show that for Metal/Nonmetal mines it is the deadliest month.

Of course it’s a good idea to pay extra attention to safety any month, any week, or any day, but this certainly indicates there are factors in the industry that could make October a special month to pay attention to safety. Download the printout below from MSHA to post or distribute to your miners.

Click here for: MSHA Alert (pdf).

MSHA Announces Tougher POV Provisions

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ARLINGTON, Va. – The U.S. Department of Labor’s Mine Safety and Health Administration today announced the second phase in major reforms to its pattern of violations process, which includes tougher provisions for mines with chronic and persistent violations of significant health and safety regulations. This announcement coincides with the release of an independent analysis prepared by the Labor Department’s Office of Inspector General: “In 32 years MSHA Has Never Successfully Exercised its Pattern of Violation Authority.” Earlier this week, MSHA publicized new screening criteria for the POV enforcement program.

Click here for: MSHA Press Release (pdf), POV Screening Criteria 2010 (pdf), POV Procedures Summary 2010 (pdf), POV Regulations (web)

MSHA Safety Alert

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MSHA has issued an alert to call attention to the fatalities that have occurred other than those at Upper Big Branch which of course has received much attention.  A variety of posters are available on the MSHA site.

“Eight miners are dead because they were struck-by moving or falling objects. Roof falls and rib rolls crushed 7 miners. Six miners were killed working in close proximity to mining or haulage equipment. Three more miners lost their lives in explosions and fires; another miner was killed when he was caught inside rotating machinery; a contract miner fell to his death, a contract truck driver was killed when his truck went through a berm and over a highwall, and a miner drowned. Eight of the dead miners were contractors. Each life lost is a tragedy for a family, a mining operation, and a community.” – from the statement by Joe Main.

Click here for: MSHA Page with Links to Posters

Most Roof Failures Occur During Warmer Weather

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ARLINGTON, Va. – The U.S. Department of Labor’s Mine Safety and Health Administration this week launched its annual roof fall prevention awareness program aimed at reducing the high number of roof falls that occur in the nation’s underground coal mines. Statistics show that more accidents and injuries from roof falls occur during the summer months than at any other time of year. As temperatures rise, humidity and moisture increase underground, making it easier for a mine roof or rib to fall.
“Underground roof falls continue to be a leading cause of coal mining fatalities,” said Joseph A. Main, assistant secretary of labor for mine safety and health. “Miners and mine operators are urged to pay attention to roof conditions – not just in summer, but throughout the year.”
Since 2000, there have been 69 coal mining fatalities attributed to “fall of roof or back and fall of face/rib/pillar/side/highwall.” During the agency’s Preventive Roof/Rib Outreach Program, also known as PROP, which runs through September, MSHA personnel will advise operators to examine roof that has weathered due to humid air; communicate immediately with miners when they observe adverse roof conditions; install supplemental support when conditions warrant; scale loose roof in the face area where miners work; and consistently follow the approved roof control plan for their mines.
Beginning this week, federal mine inspectors will distribute educational information including posters and hardhat stickers to remind the coal industry about potential hazards and suggested remedies. MSHA officials will speak directly to miners about the problems warmer weather causes for underground mines and present them with pertinent statistics about the increase in accidents during the warmer weather months.

Click here for: MSHA Press Release (pdf), PROP page