MSHA Unveils Surface Mine Safety Initiative

{Washington, D.C.}...The Mine Safety and Health Administration unveiled its latest "Rules to Live By" initiative Tuesday. MSHA chief Joe Main says 11 of the 14 regulations relate to surface mining. The need to refocus enforcement efforts became clear late last year, when surface mine accidents caused five deaths in 41 days. Though 2011 was the second-lowest year on record for fatalities, Main says surface mines accounted for two-thirds of the total. He says operators need training to identify and correct hazards, and miners need training to recognize them. Starting April 1st, MSHA will retrain inspectors to more carefully and consistently evaluate violations that caused or contributed to a fatality.