MSHA Issues Mine Inspection Rule
The Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) published a final mine inspection rule in June 2018. Examinations of Working Places in Metal and Nonmetal Mines provides mine operators additional flexibility in managing their safety and health programs. The revised rule requires that:
The mine inspection rule requires that a competent person examine each working place for conditions that may adversely affect the safety or health of miners. The working place must be examined at least once each shift, before work begins or as miners begin work in that place.
In addition, mine operators must:
- Promptly initiate appropriate corrective action when adverse conditions are found.
- Promptly notify miners in affected areas if adverse conditions are found and not corrected before miners are potentially exposed.
- Withdraw all persons from affected areas when alerted to any conditions that may present an imminent danger, until the danger is abated.
- Create an examination record before the end of each shift that includes:
- The name of the person conducting the examination
- Date of the examination
- Location of all areas examined
- A description of each condition found that may adversely affect the safety or health of miners that is not promptly corrected
- The date when the described condition is corrected
- Make the examination record available to MSHA and miners’ representatives, with a copy provided upon request.
The U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit issued an order on June 11, 2019, and a mandate on August 23, 2019, requiring MSHA to reinstate the regulatory provisions published on January 23, 2017. The reinstated final rule took effect on September 30, 2019.
Stakeholder Meetings
MSHA held public meetings around the country to inform and educate the mining community on the requirements of the final mine inspection rule. Locations included: Bloomington, Ill., Seattle, Birmingham, Ala., Pittsburgh, Reno, Dallas and Denver.