In a significant turn of events for the coal mining sector, the Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) has announced a temporary enforcement pause on its stringent respirable crystalline silica regulation. This...more
With 2017 behind us, it’s time to look forward to what MSHA has in store for the next year. To close the year, the agency rounded out its leadership with the confirmation of Assistant Secretary Zatezalo and began review of...more
MSHA publishes and distributes information each year on miners’ rights in the workplace. The rights widely broadcast by the agency include the right to report hazards in the workplace to MSHA, to not be discriminated against...more
There are numerous benefits to internal or third-party safety audits. These audits offer operators terrific insight for proactive safety and compliance improvements. But, can these audits be used against an operator…The short...more
Most, if not all, operators have at one time or another received a 104(A) citation from MSHA. While operators may be aware the basic orders MSHA can issue, such as unwarrantable failures, there are numerous, lesser known...more
MSHA’s published enforcement initiatives and Fatalgrams are an easy place to start when improving mine safety and proactively preparing sites for inspection, especially if you do your research. Reviewing MSHA’s most-cited...more
While operators have the right and opportunity to contest any citation or order issued by MSHA, there ways to address concerns with MSHA prior to contest....more