MSHA

Our libraries MSHA content offers compliance under Title 30 CFR Chapter 1 of the federally regulated Mining industry. 

Our focus area:

  • Subpart H (education & training)
  • Part 50
  • Subpart k (metal & nonmetal mine safety & health – emphasis on part 56)

The library offers access to a wide variety of material that will assist in development of a healthy safety program or can be just an addition to a program already in place. The library has the following content available but not limited to: 

  • Policies and Procedures
  • Checklist
  • Forms
  • PowerPoints
  • Puzzles and games
  • Safety Briefs/Toolbox Talks
  • Inspection & Audit sheets
  • and much more

 

Do not put your company at financial risk by receiving citation’s or by paying incredibly high penalty costs due to lack of proper training, paperwork or policies.

Create and maintain a “healthy” safety program with confidence so when OSHA or MSHA pulls up to your job site for inspections, everyone is prepared and at ease, then inspections are no longer dreaded. Prepare and train your workforce with confidence!! 

Be PROACTIVE and not reactive 
Industry Leading Violations

Top 5 MSHA Most Frequently Cited Standards

 

Coal / Underground
  1. Accumulation of combustible materials ~ 30 CFR 75.400
  2. Mine ventilation plan; submission and approval ~ 30 CFR 75.370(a)(1)
  3. Permissible electric face equipment; maintenance ~ 30 CFR 75.503
  4. Protection from falls of roof, face and ribs ~ 30 CFR 75.202(a)
  5. Electric equipment; examination, testing and maintenance ~ 30 CFR 75.512
Non-Metal / Sand and Gravel (surface)
  1. Moving machine parts – 30 CFR 56.14107(a)
  2. Preparation and submission of MSHA form 7000-2 – Quarterly Employment and Coal Production Report ~ 30 CFR 50.30(a)
  3. Electrical conductors ~ 30 CFR 5612004
  4. Safety defects; examination, correction and records ~ 30 CFR 56.14100(b)
  5. Horns and backup alarms ~ 30 CFR 56.14132(a)
Metal (surface)
  1. Electrical conductors ~ 30 CFR 56.12004
  2. Housekeeping ~ 30 CFR 56.20003(a)
  3. Safety defects; examination, correction and records ~ 30 CFR 56.14100(b)
  4. Moving machine parts ~ 30 CFR 56.14107(a)
  5. Safe access ~ 30 CFR 56.11001

Regulations

Important Up-coming changes to keep your eye ON!!

 

On July 13, 2023 Proposed Rule to Reduce Miners’ Exposure to Respirable Crystalline Silica was published in the Federal Register

The U.S. Department of Labor published today a notice of proposed rulemaking by its Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) to amend existing Federal standards to better protect the nation’s miners from health hazards related to occupational exposure of respirable crystalline silica, or silica dust.

The proposed rule change will ensure miners have at least the same level of protections as workers in other industries. MSHA previously announced and posted the text of the proposal on June 30, 2023.

The proposed rule would require mine operators to maintain miners’ permissible exposure limit to respirable crystalline silica at or below 50 micrograms per cubic meter of air for a full shift exposure, calculated as an 8-hour time weighted average. If a miner’s exposure exceeds the limit, the proposed rule would require operators to take immediate corrective actions to come into compliance.

In addition to reducing the existing exposure limit, the proposal also includes other requirements to protect miners’ health — such as exposure sampling — and medical surveillance at no cost for metal and nonmetal miners. It would also replace existing outdated requirements for respiratory protection with a standard that reflects the latest advances in respiratory protection technologies and practices. 

MSHA welcomes public comments submitted online at the Federal rulemaking portal. Written comments and any information or materials must be received or postmarked by 12 a.m. EDT on Aug. 28, 2023.

The agency will hold three public hearings in Arlington, Virginia, on Aug. 3, 2023, in Beckley, West Virginia, on Aug. 10, 2023, and in Denver, Colorado, on Aug. 21, 2023. The hearings will be open for in-person or online participation.   

More information can be found at https://www.msha.gov/regulations/rulemaking/silica.

 

Offline Safety professional NOTE:
This regulation has been under review for modification for the last few years. This time all signs indicate it will be changed to the same as the Federal OSHA standard very soon.

First Steps: You will need to review your sites past silica exposure sampling reports and begin developing processes on:

  1. How are going to reduce exposure to meet new regulation limits?
  2. Create new policies & procedures  
  3. Exposure sampling timeline
  4. Training miners on NEW policies and procedures with sign off and signature of acknowledgement 
  5. Development and enforcement processes which holds miners accountable for non-compliance of policies 
 

Understanding Enforceable Standards and Regulations

The Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) is published and updated annually by the Office of the Federal Register. MSHA rules are in Title 30 of the CFR, Mineral Resources, Chapter I.

REMINDER:  Under 30 CFR §56.1000 – Notification of commencement of operations and closing of mines – before starting operations, the owner, operator, or person in charge of any metal and nonmetal mine shall notify the nearest MSHA district or field office of the approximate or actual date the mine operation will commence. Operator is defined in 30 CFR 41.1(a) as any owner, lessee, or other person who operates, controls, or supervises a coal or other mine or any designated independent contractor performing services or construction at such mine. For independent contractors, under 45.2(d), “production operator” means any owner, lessee, or other person who operates, controls or supervises a coal or other mine.”

During the last several years, MSHA has experienced increased issues with both dredge operators and portable crushers complying with this requirement.

§ 50.30 Preparation and submission of MSHA Form 7000–2—Quarterly Employment and Coal Production Report.

(a) Each operator of a mine in which an individual worked during any day of a calendar quarter shall complete a MSHA Form 7000–2 in accordance with the instructions and criteria in § 50.30–1 and submit the original to the MSHA Office of Injury and Employment Information, P.O. Box 25367, Denver Federal Center, Denver, Colo. 80225, within 15 days after the end of each calendar quarter. These forms may be obtained from the MSHA District Office. Each operator shall retain an operator’s copy at the mine office nearest the mine for 5 years after the submission date. You may also submit reports by facsimile, 888–231–5515. To file electronically, follow the instructions on MSHA Internet site, http://www.msha.gov. 

(b) Each operator of a coal mine in which an individual worked during any day of a calendar quarter shall report coal production on Form 7000–2.

[42 FR 65535, Dec. 30, 1977, as amended at 60 FR 35695, July 11, 1995; 69 FR 26499, May 13, 2004]

** Note: The 7000-2 form includes all mine sites and contractors working on mine sites