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

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MSHA
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_at_dol.gov
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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

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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.
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MINER Act some key provisions
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
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Disseminating Information
www.msha.gov
Reaching out to our customers

• 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!!
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MSHAs online training catalog and information is
available in Spanish
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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 1970s.
Along with these new hires came increasing
accidents to the new workforce. 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 1970s. MSHA assisted in halting
this deadly trend by developing a new
miner training 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 have been
positive.
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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 where entrapped miners may
be so rescue operations can be expedited.
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The Chain of Safety is only as strong as its
weakest link.
Technical Support
All play a vital role in accident
prevention. We encourage you to take this
information and use it as a tool to improve the
health and safety at your operations.
Enforcement
Thank you!!
Education and Training