Mining/Oil/Gas

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.

Washington — OSHA’s maximum penalty for willful or repeat violations will be increasing approximately 3.2%.

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.

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.

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.

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.”

Washington — Four organizations recently earned recognition from NIOSH for their use of technology and creativity to advance miner safety and health.

Washington — OSHA personnel will now wear safety helmets instead of traditional hard hats to “protect them better when they are on inspection sites.”

Arlington, VA — Keeping miners safe during cold weather is the focus of a new alert from the Mine Safety and Health Administration.

Washington — Democratic lawmakers have renewed their push to ease access to health care and other benefits for coal miners who have black lung disease.