Mining/Oil/Gas

Sacramento – California’s Department of Industrial Relations, together with the Governor’s Office of Emergency Services and the California Environmental Protection Agency, on July 14 published regulatory amendments intended to bolster safety for the state’s refinery workers and communities.

Arlington, VA – Virtually all respirable coal dust samples collected earlier this year complied with Mine Safety and Health Administration coal mine dust standards, the agency announced July 18.

Washington – A wide-ranging spending bill that proposes to cut funding for Department of Labor agencies – including OSHA – is difficult but necessary, House Appropriations Committee Chairman Hal Rogers (R-KY) said July 13 during a full committee markup of the Fiscal Year 2017 Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education funding bill.

Arlington, VA – The Mine Safety and Health Administration has found no Pattern of Violations offenders among the nation’s more than 13,000 mines for the first time since POV reforms took effect in 2010, the agency announced June 29.

Is job stress an occupational safety and health issue? Some experts say “yes,” and that safety pros can play an important role in helping workers cope.

Washington – NIOSH has developed a mobile app to help miners assess the ergonomics of three mining tasks: bagging, maintenance and repair, and haul truck operations.

Arlington, VA – The Mine Safety and Health Administration is seeking information on ways to monitor and regulate miner exposure to diesel exhaust in underground mines.

Arlington, VA – The Mine Safety and Health Administration has issued a proposed rule intended to improve the quality of workplace examinations in metal and non-metal mines.

Washington – Thomas M. Galassi, director of OSHA’s Directorate of Enforcement Programs, on May 11 sent a memorandum to regional administrators regarding the Process Safety Management Standard’s recognized and generally accepted good engineering practices requirements, also known as RAGAGEP.

Arlington, VA – In the wake of two deaths at an abandoned mine in Texas, the Mine Safety and Health Administration has issued a safety alert asking mine operators to evaluate hazards at active mines, make efforts to prevent trespassing and help educate the public on the dangers of exploring mines.