Mining/Oil/Gas

Washington — The Department of Health and Human Services has reinstated 328 NIOSH employees, HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. testified May 14 during a House Appropriations Committee hearing.

Washington — Rep. Bobby Scott (D-VA) and Sen. Tim Kaine (D-VA) plan to reintroduce legislation intended to “empower miners to raise safety concerns” and “prevent future mine tragedies.”

St. Louis — A federal appellate court’s denial of a United Steelworkers and United Mine Workers of America petition to defend rulemaking on miner exposure to respirable crystalline silica is “profoundly disheartening,” union officials say.

Washington — A number of NIOSH programs are no longer accepting applications “due to a reduction in force” at the agency.

Washington — The federal government has temporarily reinstated up to 40 NIOSH employees, mainly in coal mining and firefighting health and safety, according to Sen. Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV) and the Washington Post.

Washington — Operators of offshore oil and gas rigs and their contractors should establish and clearly communicate enhanced safety measures in anticipation of adverse weather conditions, a recently released safety alert states.

Washington — James McHugh is the new deputy assistant secretary for policy at the Mine Safety and Health Administration.

Washington — Sen. Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV) is pressing Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to restore NIOSH’s offices and programs that focus on coal miner safety and health.

Arlington, VA — Miners should avoid entering trenches with unsupported walls, the Mine Safety and Health Administration advises in a recent fatality alert.

Frankfort, KY — A new Kentucky law reduces – to one from two – the number of certified emergency medical and mine emergency technicians required during each shift at small underground coal mines.