Mining/Oil/Gas

Arlington, VA – The Mine Safety and Health Administration has announced two actions related to refuge alternatives in underground coal mines.

Arlington, VA – A total of 18 miners have died on the job this year as of June 30, according to new data from the Mine Safety and Health Administration.

Falls Church, VA – Oil and gas workers are exposed to respirable crystalline silica during directional drilling and hydraulic fracturing operations, a new NIOSH study concludes.

Washington – The owner of the Deepwater Horizon offshore oil rig that exploded in the Gulf of Mexico in 2010 has been ordered to turn over internal investigation documents to the Chemical Safety Board in a July 23 ruling from the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals.

Richmond, CA – Agencies tasked with overseeing refinery safety in California need better coordination and stronger regulation, concludes a new report from the state’s Interagency Working Group on Refinery Safety.

Arlington, VA – Mining fatality and injury rates hit a record low in 2012, according to final data released July 10 by the Mine Safety and Health Administration.

London – Workers in the lead industry are experiencing reductions in exposure, and a majority of them have blood-lead levels below regulatory limits, the International Lead Association announced July 9.

Washington – The Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement is establishing an independent research institute and looking for candidates to manage it.

Washington – The Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement expects offshore oil and gas companies to maintain a positive safety culture, according to a BSEE policy statement.

Washington – Failure to apply inherently safer design principles, conduct damage mechanism hazard reviews and implement safeguards led to the hydrocarbon release and fire at a Chevron refinery in August 2012, concludes a draft report from the Chemical Safety Board.