October 30th was set aside as Mine Rescue Day (MRD) in 2013 as a time to recognize the dedication and sacrifice of volunteers who risk their own lives to save other miners. – MSHA
Click here for more information (msha web site) and here for a poster (pdf).
DOL – MSHA announced a proposed rule to require mine operators employing six or more miners to develop a written safety program for mobile and powered haulage equipment (excluding belt conveyors) at surface mines and surface areas of underground mines. This proposed rule is one of several actions MSHA has taken to reduce fatal and nonfatal injuries involving surface mobile equipment used at mines and to improve safety and health.
Under the proposed rule, mine operators would implement a written safety program including actions to identify hazards and risks to reduce accidents, injuries and fatalities related to surface mobile equipment. Mine operators would have the flexibility to devise a safety program for their specific mining conditions and operations. In addition, MSHA would encourage its state grantees to provide training to address hazards and risks involving surface mobile equipment in small mining operations.
Comments must be submitted by Nov. 8, 2021.
Read or Download the Proposed Rule in the Federal Register (pdf).
Penn State Miner Training Program – On September 29, 2021 from 8:30 am – 3:30 pm the Miner Training Program of the Penn State College of Earth and Mineral Sciences will hold a Professional Development Online Webinar for Mine Supervisors, Competent Persons, and Safety Professionals. The program is free and presented as part of the State Grant outreach service to the state of Delaware, but you can be from anywhere to attend and it’s free. There is no registration needed, just get details on the flier here (pdf) and join us on the 29th.
Presentations will include a full online tour of the safeminers.com site and many more resources online including some hidden gems that I created for my own clients’ use.
(MSHA) Water-filled quarries and pits hide rock ledges, old machinery and other hazards. The water can be deceptively deep and dangerously cold. Steep, slippery walls make exiting the water difficult. Hills of loose material can easily collapse on an unsuspecting biker or climber. Vertical shafts can be hundreds of feet deep and may be completely unprotected, or hidden by vegetation.
Even so dozens of people are injured or killed while exploring or playing on mine property every year. The men and women employed in our nation’s mines are trained to work in a safe manner. For trespassers, hazards are not always apparent.
Visit https://www.abandonedmines.gov/staying-safe to learn more about abandoned mine and quarry accidents. Please help us raise awareness about this summertime danger. Most importantly, remind people to Stay Out, Stay Alive!
So far this year, nine miners have been killed and 185 have been injured in accidents involving powered haulage equipment such as shuttle cars, scoops, locomotives, front end loaders and more. Year to date, this is the highest number of powered haulage fatalities since 2006. The safety of mining’s most precious resource – the miner – is a critical mission at the Mine Safety and Health Administration. That’s why we are hosting a national Stand Down for Safety Day on July 20 focused on powered haulage and vehicle rollovers to help educate miners, save lives and prevent injuries. on July 20, all levels of MSHA enforcement staff will visit mines to meet with miners and operators to emphasize the need for adhering to best safety practices for powered haulage, vehicle rollovers, and miner training to reduce fatalities and injuries.