MSHA today released both a Program information Bulletin (PIB), regarding the advance notice of inspection prohibition and a Program Policy Letter (PPL), clarifying the agency’s stance on truck scales at Metal/Nonmetal mine sites.  While the advance notice PIB is a reiteration of existing policy, the truck scale PPL outlines specific criteria operators can use to determine their compliance with  30 C.F.R. § 56.9300  as well as offering guidance on design parameters.The advance inspection prohibition PIB can  found here, and the truck scale PPL here.

MSHA announced on August 20th a 90 day pilot program to address the backlog of contested citations. This announcement came via a press release accompanied by a  memo outlining the particulars of the program.

The above mentioned letter from MSHA Assistant Secretary Joe Main underscores MSHA’s increased inspection focus for the upcoming season. Starting March 15 MSHA will begin enhanced inspections in nine different categories encompassing 24 standards. Thirteen of these standards are specific to metal/nonmetal with the remaining 11 coming from coal. The complete text of the letter as well as the enhanced enforcement regulations and categories can be viewed here.

With both an increase in focus and the advancement of technology Automated External Defibrillators, commonly referred to as AED’s, have proliferated the places we work and play. While in almost all cases this is a good thing, some information has come to light that could open our stakeholders to unintentional dangers. Last Friday the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) alerted users of certain Powerheart and CardioVive automated external defibrillators that these devices may malfunction unexpectedly. This can cause a failure to deliver the electric shocks that are needed to treat sudden cardiac arrest or arrhythmias. Read the Advisory »

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