t Proposed fund would help oil and gas workers pay out-of-pocket health care costs By www.safetyandhealthmagazine.com Published On :: Wed, 20 Sep 2023 00:00:00 -0400 Hobbs, NM — Recently introduced legislation would establish a trust fund to reimburse energy sector workers for health care costs associated with poor air quality and intense heat. Full Article
t MSHA’s proposed rule on silica has ‘shortcomings,’ lawmakers say By www.safetyandhealthmagazine.com Published On :: Thu, 21 Sep 2023 00:00:00 -0400 Washington — A Mine Safety and Health Administration proposed rule intended to reduce worker exposure to respirable crystalline silica “does not demand enough from operators,” Reps. Bobby Scott (D-VA) and Alma Adams (D-NC) claim. Full Article
t MSHA awards $1M in mine safety training grants By www.safetyandhealthmagazine.com Published On :: Fri, 29 Sep 2023 00:00:00 -0400 Arlington, VA — The Mine Safety and Health Administration has awarded nine organizations a total of $1 million through the agency’s Brookwood-Sago Mine Safety Grants Program. Full Article
t MSHA issues alert on silica dust and mobile mine equipment By www.safetyandhealthmagazine.com Published On :: Wed, 04 Oct 2023 00:00:00 -0400 Arlington, VA — The Mine Safety and Health Administration is reminding mine operators to safeguard against worker exposure to hazardous silica dust where mobile equipment is used. Full Article
t Chronic health conditions more frequent among miners: study By www.safetyandhealthmagazine.com Published On :: Mon, 16 Oct 2023 00:00:00 -0400 Washington — Miners are at elevated risk for chronic pain, hearing loss and high blood pressure compared with workers in nonmanual occupations, NIOSH researchers say. Full Article
t MSHA issues alert on dipper bucket maintenance By www.safetyandhealthmagazine.com Published On :: Wed, 01 Nov 2023 00:00:00 -0400 Arlington, VA — Spurred by a miner’s death, the Mine Safety and Health Administration is warning of the dangers of performing maintenance on dipper buckets. Full Article
t Mine safety agency issues alert on working near water By www.safetyandhealthmagazine.com Published On :: Fri, 03 Nov 2023 00:00:00 -0400 Arlington, VA — Five miners in the past two years have died in incidents involving water, the Mine Safety and Health Administration says. Full Article
t Journal spotlights NIOSH’s work on occupational hearing loss prevention By www.safetyandhealthmagazine.com Published On :: Mon, 13 Nov 2023 00:00:00 -0500 Washington — A special issue of the journal Seminars in Hearing “shines a light” on NIOSH’s efforts to prevent on-the-job hearing loss. Full Article
t MSHA issues alert for bulldozer operators By www.safetyandhealthmagazine.com Published On :: Mon, 13 Nov 2023 00:00:00 -0500 Arlington, VA — A recent string of fatalities involving miners operating bulldozers has prompted the Mine Safety and Health Administration to issue a safety alert. Full Article
t MSHA shares best practices for miners working alone By www.safetyandhealthmagazine.com Published On :: Tue, 21 Nov 2023 00:00:00 -0500 Arlington, VA — Miners working alone should always tell a responsible person their location and travel path through a mine, the Mine Safety and Health Administration says. Full Article
t Inspector General to MSHA: Publish silica rule By www.safetyandhealthmagazine.com Published On :: Tue, 21 Nov 2023 00:00:00 -0500 Washington — The Department of Labor Office of Inspector General is calling on the Mine Safety and Health Administration to publish a final rule – currently in the works – that lowers the silica exposure limit for miners. Full Article
t MSHA issues alert on machinery incidents By www.safetyandhealthmagazine.com Published On :: Wed, 29 Nov 2023 00:00:00 -0500 Arlington, VA — Alarmed by a series of 10 fatal incidents related to miners operating machinery, the Mine Safety and Health Administration has issued a safety alert. Full Article
t Lawmakers reintroduce legislation on black lung benefits for miners By www.safetyandhealthmagazine.com Published On :: Fri, 01 Dec 2023 00:00:00 -0500 Washington — Democratic lawmakers have renewed their push to ease access to health care and other benefits for coal miners who have black lung disease. Full Article
t MSHA urges caution during cold weather By www.safetyandhealthmagazine.com Published On :: Wed, 06 Dec 2023 00:00:00 -0500 Arlington, VA — Keeping miners safe during cold weather is the focus of a new alert from the Mine Safety and Health Administration. Full Article
t NIOSH announces winners of mine technology awards By www.safetyandhealthmagazine.com Published On :: Wed, 13 Dec 2023 00:00:00 -0500 Washington — Four organizations recently earned recognition from NIOSH for their use of technology and creativity to advance miner safety and health. Full Article
t MSHA issues final rule on written programs for mobile, powered haulage equipment By www.safetyandhealthmagazine.com Published On :: Wed, 20 Dec 2023 00:00:00 -0500 Arlington, VA — Mine operators will soon be required to have a written safety program for mobile and powered haulage equipment “developed and updated with input from miners and their representatives.” Full Article
t Offshore alert: Use safety devices with temporary test equipment By www.safetyandhealthmagazine.com Published On :: Fri, 22 Dec 2023 00:00:00 -0500 Washington — The death of an offshore worker conducting a pressure test on a well surface casing has prompted the Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement to issue a safety alert. Full Article
t MSHA to miners: Stay safe on underground mobile equipment By www.safetyandhealthmagazine.com Published On :: Tue, 26 Dec 2023 00:00:00 -0500 Arlington, VA — MSHA describes four separate incidents that occurred between Sept. 26 and Oct. 16 in which workers were pinned between mobile equipment and a coal rib. Full Article
t Look at your training, MSHA tells mine operators at close of 2023 By www.safetyandhealthmagazine.com Published On :: Fri, 05 Jan 2024 00:00:00 -0500 Arlington, VA — Miner inexperience contributed significantly to what Mine Safety and Health Administration head Chris Williamson called an “unacceptable trend” of industry deaths in 2023. Full Article
t OSHA and MSHA civil penalty amounts get annual bump By www.safetyandhealthmagazine.com Published On :: Fri, 12 Jan 2024 00:00:00 -0500 Washington — OSHA’s maximum penalty for willful or repeat violations will be increasing approximately 3.2%. Full Article
t MSHA final rule on respirable crystalline silica under White House review By www.safetyandhealthmagazine.com Published On :: Wed, 17 Jan 2024 00:00:00 -0500 Washington — A long-anticipated Mine Safety and Health Administration final rule intended to reduce miners’ exposure to silica has been sent to the White House Office of Management and Budget for review. Full Article
t MSHA shares tips on safely operating haulage vehicles By www.safetyandhealthmagazine.com Published On :: Wed, 07 Feb 2024 11:27:55 -0500 Arlington, VA — Miners dumping cargo from haulage vehicles should always load trucks or trailers properly and dump only on level surfaces, free of spillage, the Mine Safety and Health Administration says. Full Article
t MSHA issues alert on rotating conveyor rollers By www.safetyandhealthmagazine.com Published On :: Thu, 15 Feb 2024 00:00:00 -0500 Arlington, VA — Spurred by recent incidents involving rotating conveyor rollers that resulted in permanent disabilities for three miners, the Mine Safety and Health Administration has issued a safety alert. Full Article
t CDC study explores severe injury trends in oil and gas extraction industry By www.safetyandhealthmagazine.com Published On :: Fri, 16 Feb 2024 00:00:00 -0500 Washington — Oil and gas extraction operators should include contract workers in site safety management plans, improve job and equipment hazard training, and reinforce safety practices, a recent study concludes. Full Article
t MSHA repeating its warning about operating mobile equipment near water By www.safetyandhealthmagazine.com Published On :: Mon, 26 Feb 2024 00:00:00 -0500 Arlington, VA — Miners operating mobile equipment near water should always examine the worksite, remain a safe distance from the water’s edge and wear a seat belt. Full Article
t MSHA releases tool to help miners with health care searches By www.safetyandhealthmagazine.com Published On :: Wed, 13 Mar 2024 00:00:00 -0400 Unveiled March 6, the tool allows users to locate multiple types of health care facilities and specialists. Full Article
t Two emergency medical techs is too many for small coal mines, Kentucky lawmaker says By www.safetyandhealthmagazine.com Published On :: Mon, 18 Mar 2024 00:00:00 -0400 Frankfort, KY — A bill that would reduce – to one from two – the number of mine emergency technicians required during each shift at small underground coal mines is advancing in the Kentucky Legislature. Full Article
t MSHA optimistic about ‘downward trend’ of fatalities, silica rule development By www.safetyandhealthmagazine.com Published On :: Wed, 20 Mar 2024 00:00:00 -0400 Arlington, VA — The Mine Safety and Health Administration has recorded 70% fewer miner deaths through the first 10 weeks of 2024 than during the same period in 2022 and 2023. Full Article
t New law keeps safety agencies’ FY 2024 budgets steady By www.safetyandhealthmagazine.com Published On :: Thu, 28 Mar 2024 00:00:00 -0400 Washington — OSHA’s budget will remain unchanged in fiscal year 2024, under new legislation signed into law March 23. Full Article
t Senate confirms mine review commission nominee By www.safetyandhealthmagazine.com Published On :: Mon, 08 Apr 2024 00:00:00 -0400 Washington — The Senate has confirmed the nomination of Moshe Marvit to serve on the Federal Mine Safety and Health Review Commission. Full Article
t NIOSH black lung screening program to visit 4 states By www.safetyandhealthmagazine.com Published On :: Tue, 09 Apr 2024 00:00:00 -0400 Washington — Aiming to identify cases of black lung disease in current and former miners, NIOSH will provide free, confidential health screenings in Ohio, Pennsylvania, Virginia and West Virginia. Full Article
t Can safe driving policies reduce deaths in the oil and gas industry? By www.safetyandhealthmagazine.com Published On :: Mon, 15 Apr 2024 00:00:00 -0400 Washington — Risky driving behaviors are more common among oil and gas extraction workers whose employers don’t have a motor vehicle safety policy, NIOSH researchers say. Full Article
t MSHA final rule lowers limit for miner exposure to silica By www.safetyandhealthmagazine.com Published On :: Tue, 16 Apr 2024 00:00:00 -0400 Arlington, VA — The Mine Safety and Health Administration has issued a long-anticipated final rule that lowers miners’ permissible exposure limit to respirable crystalline silica. Full Article
t New alert warns miners of arc flashes By www.safetyandhealthmagazine.com Published On :: Wed, 24 Apr 2024 00:00:00 -0400 Arlington, VA — Eleven miners in the past six months have been injured as a result of an arc flash, according to a new safety alert from the Mine Safety and Health Administration. Full Article
t MSHA issues alert for customer truck drivers By www.safetyandhealthmagazine.com Published On :: Wed, 08 May 2024 00:00:00 -0400 Arlington, VA — Six fatal incidents involving customer truck drivers in the past three years have prompted the Mine Safety and Health Administration to issue a safety alert. Full Article
t Offshore safety agency issues alert on hand tool use By www.safetyandhealthmagazine.com Published On :: Tue, 14 May 2024 00:00:00 -0400 Washington — Alarmed by a rising trend of hand and finger injuries caused by improper use of hand tools, the Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement has issued a safety alert. Full Article
t MSHA to mining community: Let’s all stand down for safety By www.safetyandhealthmagazine.com Published On :: Fri, 17 May 2024 00:00:00 -0400 Arlington, VA — The Mine Safety and Health Administration’s second annual Stand Down to Save Lives is set for May 22. Full Article
t Offshore safety inspections lead to alert on welding and burning By www.safetyandhealthmagazine.com Published On :: Fri, 31 May 2024 00:00:00 -0400 Washington — Recent Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement performance-based risk inspections have uncovered “several critical issues” related to welding and burning operations, according to an agency safety alert. Full Article
t MSHA issues alert on mobile equipment By www.safetyandhealthmagazine.com Published On :: Mon, 10 Jun 2024 00:00:00 -0400 Arlington, VA — Spurred by the deaths of six miners who were struck by mobile equipment in underground production areas, the Mine Safety and Health Administration has issued a safety alert. Full Article
t Sen. Bob Casey urges fellow lawmakers to strengthen miners’ black lung benefits By www.safetyandhealthmagazine.com Published On :: Fri, 14 Jun 2024 00:00:00 -0400 Washington — Easing access to health care and other benefits for coal miners who have black lung disease can help remedy a “devastating” development in the mining community, Sen. Bob Casey (D-PA) says. Full Article
t MSHA issues alert on battery-powered devices By www.safetyandhealthmagazine.com Published On :: Mon, 17 Jun 2024 00:00:00 -0400 Arlington, VA — A recent explosion and fire resulting from an object striking a lithium battery-powered device has prompted the Mine Safety and Health Administration to issue a safety alert. Full Article
t MSHA issues alert for stored energy in belt conveyors By www.safetyandhealthmagazine.com Published On :: Thu, 20 Jun 2024 00:00:00 -0400 Arlington, VA — Spurred by recent deaths and injuries caused by the sudden release of energy from belt conveyor systems, the Mine Safety and Health Administration has issued a safety alert. Full Article
t Fire spurs MSHA safety alert on polyurethane foam By www.safetyandhealthmagazine.com Published On :: Tue, 09 Jul 2024 00:00:00 -0400 Arlington, VA — An underground coal mine fire stemming from the injection of polyurethane foam into a roof cavity has prompted the Mine Safety and Health Administration to issue a safety alert. Full Article
t Miners’ union calls provision in House bill ‘a direct attack’ on coal miners By www.safetyandhealthmagazine.com Published On :: Mon, 15 Jul 2024 00:00:00 -0400 Triangle, VA — A legislative attempt to block federal enforcement of a rule intended to protect miners from exposure to silica is “morally reprehensible,” United Mine Workers of America President Cecil Roberts says. Full Article
t MSHA head: Mining industry ‘in much better shape’ as worker fatalities decline By www.safetyandhealthmagazine.com Published On :: Fri, 19 Jul 2024 00:00:00 -0400 Arlington, VA — Collaboration within the mining industry has spurred “significant improvement” in reducing fatalities, Mine Safety and Health Administration head Chris Williamson said during a July 10 stakeholder meeting. Full Article
t MSHA offering more than $10.5 million in state grants By www.safetyandhealthmagazine.com Published On :: Mon, 22 Jul 2024 00:00:00 -0400 Arlington, VA — The Mine Safety and Health Administration is accepting applications for more than $10.5 million in state grants for safety and health training and retraining of miners. Full Article
t MSHA warns of tire explosions related to equipment fires By www.safetyandhealthmagazine.com Published On :: Tue, 30 Jul 2024 00:00:00 -0400 Arlington, VA — Tires on mobile equipment may explode during equipment fires and after flames are extinguished, the Mine Safety and Health Administration is warning miners. Full Article
t MSHA providing $1M in safety grants By www.safetyandhealthmagazine.com Published On :: Thu, 01 Aug 2024 00:00:00 -0400 Arlington, VA — The Mine Safety and Health Administration is accepting until Sept. 9 applications for its Brookwood-Sago Mine Safety Grants. Full Article
t MSHA warns miners about dangers of unsupported roofs By www.safetyandhealthmagazine.com Published On :: Tue, 06 Aug 2024 00:00:00 -0400 Arlington, VA — Miners should never travel or work under an unsupported roof, the Mine Safety and Health Administration says in a recent safety alert. Full Article
t MSHA sees spike in Pattern of Violations offenders By www.safetyandhealthmagazine.com Published On :: Fri, 23 Aug 2024 00:00:00 -0400 Arlington, VA — Mine Safety and Health Administration officials recently identified multiple Pattern of Violations offenders during a single screening period – an action the agency says is unprecedented in its history. Full Article