88 • ROCK products • August 2018 www.rockproducts.com
Aggregates Industry Almanac
MSHA Report
MSHA Report
Agency Contacts, Fatality Reports and the Latest MSHA News.
T
he Metal and Nonmetal Mine Safety and Health division
of the federal Mine Safety and Health Administration
(MSHA) enforces the Mine Act at all metal and nonmetal
mining operations in the United States. This includes con-
ducting inspections and investigations at mine sites to ensure
compliance with health and safety standards required by the
Mine Act. When inspectors and investigators observe viola-
tions of health or safety standards, they issue citations and
orders to mine operators that require the operators to cor-
rect the problems.
Other important activities carried out as required by the Mine
Act include:
• Investigating mine accidents.
• Examining complaints of discrimination reported by miners.
• Investigating complaints of hazardous conditions reported
by miners and criminal violations.
• Developing improved safety and health standards.
• Reviewing mine operators' mining plans and education
and training programs for miners.
Metal and Nonmetal Mine Safety and Health consists of a
small headquarters office in Arlington, Va., as well as six dis-
trict offices and 52 field offices and field duty stations located
throughout the United States and Puerto Rico.
Metal and nonmetal mines in the United States produce about
80 different minerals and commodities, and are separated
into four broad categories: metal, nonmetal, stone, and sand
and gravel.
MSHA Fatalities
Fatality #1 –On Jan. 25, an articulated haul truck travelled
through a berm and into an ice-covered pond, submerging the
truck's cab, at a CRH plc sand and gravel operation in Iowa.
Rescuers utilized divers and tow trucks to pull the submerged
truck from the pond and recover the victim.
This is the first fatality reported in calendar year 2018 in
metal and nonmetal mining. As of this date in 2017, there
was one fatal reported in metal and nonmetal mining. This
is the first Powered Haulage fatality in 2018. There were no
Powered Haulage fatalities during the same period in 2017.
MSHA recommends the following Best Practices:
• Do not operate heavy equipment when fatigued. The effects
of fatigue include tiredness, reduced energy, and physical
or mental exhaustion. These conditions become progres-
sively worse as fatigue increases.
• Maintain control and stay alert when operating mobile
equipment. Monitor persons routinely to determine safe
work procedures are followed.
• Conduct adequate pre-operational checks and correct any
defects affecting safety in a timely manner prior to oper-
ating mobile equipment. Maintain equipment braking and
steering systems in good repair and adjustment.
• Operate mobile equipment at speeds consistent with the
conditions of roadways, tracks, grades, clearance, visibility,
curves, and traffic.
• Ensure that berms are adequate for the vehicles present
on site, including but not limited to height, material, and
built on firm ground.
• Ensure that all exits from cabs on mobile equipment,
including alternate and emergency exits, are maintained
and operable.
• Use seat belts when operating mobile equipment.
Contact Email Phone
Kevin Stricklin
Acting-Administrator
Stricklin.Kevin@dol.gov (202) 693-9602
Emily Hargrove
Acting Deputy Administrator
Hargrove.Emily.K@dol.gov (202) 693-9435
Lawrence Trainor
Accident Investigations Manager
Trainor.Lawrence@dol.gov (202) 693-9644
Brian Goepfert
Chief, Safety Division
Goepfert.Brian@dol.gov (202) 693-9640
Monique Spruill
Chief, Health Division
Spruill.Monique@dol.gov (202) 693-9464
Nancy Wilson
Management Officer
Wilson.Nancy@dol.gov (202) 693-9607
