Roll-Out Meetings Announced for New MSHA Regs

"Compliance assistance is an integral part of our plan to get to the next level of safety and health performance in the mining industry," said Dave D. Lauriski, assistant secretary of labor for mine safety and health. "With the introduction of this new regulation to the industry, MSHA is committed to providing compliance assistance to every mine operator who requests it."

MSHA's HazCom standard requires mine operators to assess the hazards of chemicals on mine property and provide miners with information and training on these hazards.

In addition to the meetings, MSHA is offering a detailed, readable guide to understanding HazCom; PowerPoint presentations; and compliance assistance training during every mine's first inspection following publication of the final rule. A self-paced, interactive guide that will explain all sections of the regulation will be available soon on MSHA's Web site at www.msha.gov.

Each informational meeting will cover the content of the HazCom regulation and its enforcement policies. In addition, compliance and training specialists will assist mine operators in designing and tailoring a HazCom program that is specifically geared to their operation. For the meeting schedule, go to www.msha.gov/Events/Hazcomrollout.pdf