Mining/Oil/Gas

Washington – NIOSH is asking oil and gas workers for information on occupational health hazards experienced during hydraulic fracturing operations, commonly known as fracking.

Washington – Federal oversight of the oil and gas extraction industry should be rethought and potentially changed to a model used in regulating the coal mining industry, one workplace safety advocate said following the release of the AFL-CIO’s annual “Death on the Job” report.

Anacortes, WA – The Chemical Safety Board on May 1 approved what board chair Rafael Moure-Eraso called a “landmark” report on an April 2010 explosion at the Tesoro refinery in Washington state.

Arlington, VA – As the Mine Safety and Health Administration announces its intent to work with the mining industry on implementing the agency’s recent final rule on coal dust, some mining companies and organizations are actively pushing back.

Washington – NIOSH’s Office of Mine Safety and Health Research is seeking proposals for robotic technologies or systems that can help improve self-escape and rescue efforts in the event of a mine disaster.

Arlington, VA – The Mine Safety and Health Administration on April 23 released a final rule intended to lower miners’ exposure to coal mine dust and help end the prevalence of deadly diseases collectively known as black lung.

Washington – The Chemical Safety Board is scheduled to release the first half of its investigation reports into the Deepwater Horizon explosion at a June 5 public meeting in Houston.

Arlington, VA – Deaths in the mining industry increased in 2013, but overall injuries declined, according to recently released preliminary data from the Mine Safety and Health Administration.

Washington – A corroded pipe that had not been inspected for years was the source of the hydrogen release and subsequent explosion at the Silver Eagle Refinery in 2009, according to a new analysis from the Chemical Safety Board.

Washington – The Mine Safety and Health Administration needs to take additional steps to deter the underreporting of workplace incidents, injuries and illnesses, according to a new audit report from the Department of Labor Office of Inspector General.