MSHA Issues Final Mine Inspection Rule Effective June 2

The Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) has published a final rule effective June 2, Examinations of Working Places in Metal and Nonmetal Mines, that provides mine operators additional flexibility in managing their safety and health programs. The revised 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; and
- The date when the described condition is corrected.

• Make the examination record available to MSHA and miners’ representatives, with a copy provided upon request.

 

Stakeholder Meetings Scheduled in May

Starting in May, MSHA will hold public meetings around the country to inform and educate the mining community on the requirements of the final rule. Scheduled locations include: Bloomington, Ill., Seattle, Birmingham, Ala., Pittsburgh, Reno, Dallas and Denver.

Resources:

• See the full meeting schedule.
• Review the new rule.
• Read an evaluation of the new rule from EHS Today.
• Browse mine safety signs and labels at ComplianceSigns.com.