Mining/Oil/Gas

Charleston, WV – Former Massey Energy Co. CEO Donald Blankenship conspired against and lied to federal officials about safety at the Upper Big Branch mine – site of an April 2010 methane explosion that killed 29 workers – to make more money, according to a federal indictment announced Nov. 15.

Washington – California should strengthen its process safety management regulations for refineries, the Chemical Safety Board stated in a final report on a fire at a Chevron refinery in 2012.

Arlington, VA – The Mine Safety and Health Administration has scheduled informal public hearings on its proposal to revise procedures for assessing civil penalties.

Arlington, VA – Eight miners were killed on the job from July 1 to Sept. 30, bringing the total number of fatalities in 2014 to 30, the Mine Safety and Health Administration announced Oct. 28.

Arlington, VA – Recent results of coal dust samples indicate that mines are complying with a final rule intended to decrease miner exposure to harmful coal dust, according to the Mine Safety and Health Administration.

Arlington, VA – The number of “chronic” violators among mine operators has decreased by 76 percent since 2010, the Mine Safety and Health Administration announced recently.

Arlington, VA – The Mine Safety and Health Administration has extended, for the fourth time, the comment period for its Request for Information regarding refuge alternatives in underground coal mines.

Arlington, VA – The Mine Safety and Health Administration has extended to Dec. 3 the comment period for a proposed rule that would revise procedures for assessing civil penalties.

Sacramento, CA – A new California law intended to improve the state’s access to petroleum companies’ safety records has drawn the ire of some free-speech activists, who claim employers can use the law to limit public access to certain documents.