MSHA

MSHA issued 294 citations in October and November as part of its impact inspection program, which focuses on mines with “poor compliance history or particular compliance concerns.” The agency launched the monthly inspections in April 2010, after an explosion at the Upper Big Branch-South Mine in West Virginia killed 29 miners. In November, MSHA issued 174 citations, 11 orders and two safeguards at 12 coalmines on the impact inspection list....More

David Hughart, a former Massey Energy official, was sentenced Sept. 10 to 42 months in jail after pleading guilty to two federal charges: Conspiracy to impede the Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) and conspiracy to violate mine health and safety laws....More

Whistleblower laws exist to protect workers who have been fired or otherwise punished by their employers for complaining about working conditions. Reuben Shemwell, a welder in Kentucky, says he was fired in September 2011 by a division of Armstrong Coal for complaining about workplace safety conditions related to confined space entry and refusing to work on machinery that had not been de-energized. His former employer countered, claiming Shemwell was warned three times for excessive cell phone use and his employment subsequently was terminated....More

MSHA’s monthly special impact inspections, which began in force in April 2010 following the explosion at the Upper Big Branch Mine, involve mines that merit increased agency attention and enforcement due to their poor compliance history or particular compliance concerns....More

MSHA’s annual Winter Alert campaign features the theme “Prevention is the Key to a Safe Workplace” to help raise awareness of the coal mining safety risks that are unique to the colder months....More