MSHA launches outreach, enforcement program

A new outreach and enforcement program from the Mine Safety and Health Administration seeks to prevent mining deaths by spotlighting violations frequently cited in the aftermath of fatal incidents.

The program will officially launch Feb. 11 in Austin, TX (.pdf file), and Feb. 12 in Charleston, WV (.pdf file).

It will feature two phases:

  • Industry outreach in which MSHA distributes information detailing the causes of fatal accidents and provides compliance assistance
  • Focused inspections that pay close attention to the 24 standards most frequently violated in fatal accident investigations.
In other mining news, MSHA is accepting comment until April 2 on whether or not proximity detection systems would reduce the risks of accidents in which mobile equipment strikes, crushes or pins a miner underground.



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