Mine Safety Administration Wants Changes in Exam Requirements

The Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) is proposing to revise its requirements for pre-shift, supplemental, on-shift, and weekly examinations.

The proposed rule on Examinations of Work Areas in Underground Coal Mines for Violations of Mandatory Health or Safety Standards would require mine operators to take responsibility for conducting complete workplace examinations. They would also have oversight for correcting violations and quarterly reviews with mine examiners of all citations and orders issued in areas where these four categories of examinations are required. (WCxKit)

“Examinations are the first line of defense for miners working in underground coal mines,” said MSHA Administrator Joseph Main. “Mine operators must take ownership for their workers’ health and safety by conducting basic workplace examinations to assure they are in compliance with health and safety standards.”

He stated that at the beginning of a shift, miners are particularly vulnerable to hazards and conditions that may have developed during the prior shift. “The examinations are intended to protect them,” Main adds.

After reviewing accident investigation reports and enforcement data, MSHA concluded that the agency needed to propose changes to existing examination rules. MSHA determined that the same types of violations of mandatory health or safety standards are found by its inspectors in underground coal mines every year. (WCxKit)

“Last year, MSHA inspectors issued 82,126 citations and orders at underground coal mines,” added Main. “These violations should be found and fixed by mine operators, not left for MSHA to find.”