White House reviewing MSHA rule on surface mobile equipment safety

Washington — A Mine Safety and Health Administration final rule that would require mine operators to have a written safety program for mobile and powered haulage equipment is a step closer to publication.

Received by the White House Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs for review on Sept. 8, the potential regulation would apply to operators with six or more miners and would cover equipment – except belt conveyors – at surface mines and surface areas of underground mines. The review is one of the final steps in the regulatory process. When the review is completed, MSHA will publish the final rule in the Federal Register.

“Mine operators would be required to assess hazards and risks and identify actions to reduce accidents related to surface mobile equipment,” MSHA says in the Spring 2023 regulatory agenda. “The operators would have flexibility to develop and implement a safety program that would work best for their mining conditions and operations.” 

MSHA published a notice of proposed rulemaking in September 2021 and conducted a public hearing on the regulation in January 2022.