The federal Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) enforces federal safety and health regulations applicable to the mining industry. For the years 2004 and 2005, there were 50 fatalities in US coal mines and 62 fatalities in metal/nonmetal mines. Employers, employees and the general public can log onto the MSHA website (). The agency's regulations, compliance assistance, contact information, and statistics are posted on the website.
Mining companies, labor representatives, independent contractors, and MSHA approved instructors are able to file most of the agency's commonly used forms electronically. A complete listing of the forms can be found on the MSHA web site. A few of the forms include: Mine Accident Injury and Illness Report (7000-1), Quarterly Mine Employment and Coal Production Report (7000-2), Mine ID's, Contractor ID's, Training Plans, Qualifications, Certifications, and Equipment Approvals.
OSM:
The Office of Surface Mining (OSM) is a bureau of the U.S. Department of Interior with responsibility, in cooperation with the states and Indian Tribes, to protect the citizens and the environment during mining and reclamation, and to reclaim mines abandoned before 1977. America's Surface Mining Law was signed into law by President Carter. Employers, employees, and the general public can log onto the OSM website (). The website provides an index including the regulations for active mines. Since passage of the Surface Mining Act, coal operators are required to restore land to beneficial use after mining.
The hot agency issues are acid mine drainage and mountaintop mining.
NIOSH:
The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) conducts research on safety and health issues in the mining industry. The NIOSH website is: .
NIOSH has issued several Safety Alerts relating to respirators. The following Mining-Related Respirator User Notices can be found on the NIOSH web site:
MSA Life-Saver 60, 11/14/2002
"Potential for the Quick Start Candle on MSA Life-Saver 60 Self-Rescuer (SCSR) to Overheat or Catch Fire on Units Manufactured from October, 2000 to July 2002"
Ocenco EBA 6.5, 11/20/2002
"Potential Deterioration of Exhalation Breathing Hose on Ocenco, Incorporated EBA 6.5 Self-Contained, Self Rescuer (SCSR) Manufactured or Refurbished in the Calendar Year 1992 (original Notice was November 5, 2002)"
MSA Life-Saver 60, 3/4/2002
"Potential Reduction to Service Life for MSA Life-Saver 60 SCSR's"
Drager OXY K Plus, 10/4/2001
"Improperly Assembled Relief Valves on Certain Drager OXY K Plus SCSR's"
Our Associates
One of our associates previously worked for MSHA, mining companies, and a company that designed mineral processing facilities. He investigated incidents that included multiple fatalities and acted as a mining consultant on projects that included a mine fire.
He has investigated mining accidents as a mining expert and served as expert witness.
We assist the insurance and legal professions in the analysis of mining accidents resulting in property damage, bodily injury, litigation, and subrogation claims. We provide expert technical forensic services to both plaintiffs and defendants, and insurance professionals.
