Mining/Oil/Gas

Arlington, VA — The Mine Safety and Health Administration has updated its guidance on preventing COVID-19 exposure among workers at coal, metal and nonmetal mines.

Washington — A pair of House Republicans are urging the Department of Labor to solicit feedback from business owners and workers before OSHA moves forward with a potential emergency temporary standard related to COVID-19.

Washington — President Joe Biden on Feb. 1 named Jeannette Galanis acting assistant labor secretary for the Mine Safety and Health Administration, which is awaiting the president’s nomination for a permanent leader.

Washington — Bipartisan legislation recently reintroduced in the House and Senate would require the Mine Safety and Health Administration to issue an emergency temporary standard aimed at protecting mine workers from exposure to COVID-19.

Arlington, VA — In an effort to dispel confusion between electronic and electric detonators, the Mine Safety and Health Administration has issued a safety alert.

Washington — President Joe Biden on Jan. 21 signed an Executive Order directing OSHA and the Mine Safety and Health Administration to consider emergency temporary standards related to COVID-19, among other steps.

Arlington, VA — Twenty-nine miners died on the job in 2020, marking the sixth straight year the annual total has remained below 30, the Mine Safety and Health Administration announced Jan. 13.

Washington — The Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement and the Department of Energy have established a five-year grant opportunity of up to $40 million for the operation and maintenance of a revamped independent research institute focused on fostering the safety of offshore energy operations, the agencies announced Nov. 23.

Washington — The two-year charter for NIOSH’s Mine Safety and Health Research Advisory Committee has been renewed through Nov. 30, 2022, according to a notice published in the Dec. 11 Federal Register.

Washington — A potential infectious diseases standard from OSHA remains on the list of long-term actions in the Department of Labor’s regulatory agenda for Fall 2020 – the last under the Trump administration.