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According to Bloomberg Law, Assistant Secretary of Labor for MSHA, Chris Williamson, has stated that beginning this month the agency will resume a practice that ended in 2020 – publicizing the names of mines targeted for impact inspections. Every month, MSHA conducts targeted inspections at mines that according to the agency merit increased attention due to their compliance history or “certain compliance concerns.” Past monthly targeted inspection results are published on the MSHA website.…

Continue Reading MSHA to Renew Practice of Publicizing Mines Targeted for Impact Inspections

The average mine operator now spends over $20,000 per year on citations and penalties. In this must-attend conference, learn how to reduce or eliminate fines with the added benefit of improved safety conditions. Within the context of increasing citations, this workshop will prepare you to handle Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) inspectors and their findings.…

Continue Reading Understanding MSHA Litigation

The average mine operator now spends over $20,000 per year on citations and penalties. In this must-attend conference – Alternative Case Resolution Initiative (ACRI) – learn how to reduce or eliminate fines with the added benefit of improved safety conditions. Within the context of increasing citations, this workshop will prepare you to handle Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) inspectors and their findings.

This two-and-a-half-day workshop includes breakfast and lunch and will cover:

  • Legal and procedural processes of field inspections
  • The anatomy of a citation and how and why to challenge it
  • Necessary skills for mine operators and representatives to challenge an MSHA citation

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Continue Reading Understanding MSHA Litigation and Saving Costs

MSHA has announced a new enforcement initiative regarding overexposure to respirable crystalline silica.

The silica enforcement initiative is intended “to take immediate action to reduce the risks the silica exposure.” The initiative will include:

  • Spot inspections at coal and metal nonmetal mines with a history of repeated silica overexposures to closely monitor and evaluate health

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MSHA finally has a new leader.  On March 29, 2022, the U.S. Senate confirmed by voice vote Christopher Williamson (Williamson) as Assistant Secretary for the Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) at the Department of Labor. Williamson most recently has held the position of Senior Counsel to Chairman Lauren McFerran of the National Labor Relations…

MSHA has announced a new campaign focusing on mine operators’ obligations to ensure that miners are fully trained and able to take time to follow best safety practices. To that end, MSHA is providing resources on powered haulage, rib and roof falls, fire suppression, and lockout/tagout.  Mines should expect increased enforcement around training about these…

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President Biden has nominated Christopher Williamson for the position of Assistant Secretary for Mine Safety and Health.  The White House statement on the nominee states Mr. Williamson is a “native of the coalfields of southern West Virginia,” though he has no known mining experience.

Mr. Williamson graduated from law school approximately 11 years ago and…

On September 9, 2021, MSHA expects to publish a Proposed Rule requiring mine operators to develop and implement written safety programs for their powered haulage equipment used at surface mines and surface areas of underground mines (“surface mobile equipment”).

What mines and equipment does the Proposed Rule cover?  …
Continue Reading MSHA Proposes a Requirement for Written Safety Programs for Surface Mobile Equipment