Federal Safety

From: Courthouse News Service

By MATT REYNOLDS

(CN) – Six coal companies owned by Massey Energy can move forward with claims that safety regulators violated their constitutional rights in the way they implemented a mine-safety law, a Washington federal judge ruled.

     U.S. District Judge James Boasberg tossed the companies’ claims that that the Federal Mine Safety and Health Act of 1977 itself is unconstitutional, but allowed the companies to proceed on claims that the Mine Safety and Health Administration may be putting the act into practice in an unconstitutional way.

MSHA has published for public comment a list of petitions for modification.  The list proposed modifications, published in the Federal Register, may be found at http://www.msha.gov/REGS/FEDREG/PFM/2011PFM/2011-20978.asp.

Comments are due to MSHA no later then September 16, 2011.

From: MSHA

Recently a mill operator was fatally injured when he fell through a floor opening approximately 60 feet to the floor below. The cover for the opening was not in place. During the period of 2005 to June 2011, 32 miners were killed in falls from elevated locations.

At some point, almost all construction sites have edges, wall openings, or floor holes that pose a hazard to workers if proper precautions are not taken. Injuries from falls or falling objects may result, ranging from sprains and concussions to death. All persons must be trained to recognize and understand safe job procedures before beginning work. Mine operators should establish and discuss safe work procedures and identify and take steps to control all hazards.

From: MSHA

	Preventive Roof/Rib Outreach Program PROP 2011 CHECK THE RIBS!