Successful Propositions Regarding Policies and Programs to Improve Mine Safety and Health Conditions

John P. Faini

MSHA – Technical Support

Chief, Approval and Certification Center

304-547-2029

Faini.John@dol.gov

The Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) wants each and every miner to go home each day safe and sound.

Examples of how MSHA accomplishes this are:

• Enforcing federal law (Part 30 Code of Federal Regulations) *MINER Act

• Developing and disseminating training information

• Promoting good safety habits through behavior based safety programs

• Continually monitoring accident data and adopting preventative solutions

• Promoting new technologies for improving mine safety

MINER Act

The MINER Act was signed by President George W. Bush on June 15, 2006. This legislation, the most significant mine safety legislation in 30 years, amends the Mine Safety and Health Act of 1977 and contains a number of provisions to improve safety and health in America's mines.

* Requires each covered mine to develop and continuously update a written emergency response plan;

* Requires mine operators to make notification of all incidents/accidents which pose a reasonable risk of death within 15 minutes, and sets a civil penalty of $5,000 to $60,000 for mine operators who fail to do so;

* Directs the Secretary of Labor to require wireless two-way communications and an electronic tracking system within 3 years, allowing those on the surface to locate persons trapped underground;

* Requires each mine to make available two experienced rescue teams capable of a one hour response time;

MINER Act ; some key provisions……

Reaching out to our customers

www.msha.gov

Our website contains compliance info training materials hazard alerts MSHA contact info job task analysis rules and regulations accident reports

The internet is a great tool to disseminate information!!

Disseminating Information

MSHA’s online training catalog and information is available in Spanish

Accident Monitoring and Preventative Solutions

In 2004, MSHA observed new miners getting hired into the mining industry.

The industry had not seen such a large hiring since the early 1970’s. Along with these new hires came increasing accidents to the newworkforce.

Wanting to keep history from repeating itself, MSHA took the proactive approach to prevent new miner injuries from occurring at a at a rate in which they occurred in the 1970’s.

MSHA assisted in halting this deadly trend by developing a new minertraining CD to educate new miners on their high risk tasks. The CD was made available to every mine in the U.S. and the results havebeen positive.

Promoting New Technologies

MSHA is promoting the usage of equipment and technology that is currently commercially available.

Refuge Chambers – providing breathable air to entrapped miners

Communication Technology – evaluating technology to talk from underground to the surface through wireless technology.

Tracking Technology – evaluating technology to monitor whereentrapped miners may be so rescue operations can be expedited.

The Chain of Safety is only as strong as it’s weakest link.

Enforcement

Education and Training

Technical SupportAll play a vital role in accident prevention.

We encourage you to take this informationand use it as a tool to improve the healthand safety at your operations.