NMA: Time to Re-evaluate Mine Safety, Health Programs

Sept. 19, 2000
The National Mining Association told a Congressional committee that current regulatory and enforcement programs need to be re-evaluated in order to continue to improve mine safety and health.

The combined efforts of miners, mine operators and regulators have all contributed to decreased injuries and fatalities, the National Mining Association (NMA) told a House Oversight Hearing on the Federal Mine Safety and Health Act of 1977 last week.

But continued improvement in mine safety and health "will largely depend on maintaining vigilance against the causes of major accidents, while focusing more intently on the causes of individual fatalities and injuries and the potential health consequences of workplace exposures," said Bruce Watzman, NMA vice president, safety and health.

To bring about this balance, he said, "it is time to re-evaluate the current regulatory and enforcement programs. The resources of both government and industry must be redirected toward the prevention of accidents, injuries and illnesses and away from those policies that inevitably lead to confrontation. Decisions must be based upon sound science and recognition of the industry''s commitment to further improving miner safety and health."

Among the "fundamental reforms" that should be implemented, Watzman said, are:

  • The Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) must base resource allocation decisions on documented need, rather than mere strict conformity with the directives contained in the Mine Act.
  • Inspections "must be more focused and the quality of inspections must be enhanced through better inspector training and education.
  • Rulemaking and policy decisions must be achievable, authorized by and in compliance with the law and "developed on the basis of sound science and furthering miner safety and health, rather than ease of enforcement.
  • Violations and their attendant sanctions "must be distinguished according to degree of seriousness and culpability involved."

"A more cooperative and constructive climate" must be fostered between MSHA and its various constituencies.

"Continuing to mandate a minimum number of rigid inspections, with no consideration of performance, will not help bring the incidence rate below the current static plateau," Watzman said in his testimony.

"Either MSHA''s inspection policy, or the Mine Act itself, must be revised to recognize that operations with established rigorous and effective safety and health programs need not be subjected to the same degree of inspection oversight as those with inadequate programs."

Watzman concluded by stating that while the industry has made dramatic improvements, MSHA''s procedures and inspection practices have not maintained pace.

"Outdated practices that hinder safety and health, inappropriate resource allocation and the continued reliance on outdated procedures threaten the safety and health achievements that have been attained," said Watzman.

by Virginia Sutcliffe

About the Author

EHS Today Staff

EHS Today's editorial staff includes:

Dave Blanchard, Editor-in-Chief: During his career Dave has led the editorial management of many of Endeavor Business Media's best-known brands, including IndustryWeekEHS Today, Material Handling & LogisticsLogistics Today, Supply Chain Technology News, and Business Finance. In addition, he serves as senior content director of the annual Safety Leadership Conference. With over 30 years of B2B media experience, Dave literally wrote the book on supply chain management, Supply Chain Management Best Practices (John Wiley & Sons, 2021), which has been translated into several languages and is currently in its third edition. He is a frequent speaker and moderator at major trade shows and conferences, and has won numerous awards for writing and editing. He is a voting member of the jury of the Logistics Hall of Fame, and is a graduate of Northern Illinois University.

Adrienne Selko, Senior Editor: In addition to her roles with EHS Today and the Safety Leadership Conference, Adrienne is also a senior editor at IndustryWeek and has written about many topics, with her current focus on workforce development strategies. She is also a senior editor at Material Handling & Logistics. Previously she was in corporate communications at a medical manufacturing company as well as a large regional bank. She is the author of Do I Have to Wear Garlic Around My Neck?, which made the Cleveland Plain Dealer's best sellers list.

Nicole Stempak, Managing Editor:  Nicole Stempak is managing editor of EHS Today and conference content manager of the Safety Leadership Conference.

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