“Rules to Live By” is an initiative to
improve the prevention of fatalities in mining. Through a first
phase of industry outreach and education followed by enhanced
enforcement, the focus will be on 24 frequently cited standards (11
in coal mining and 13 in metal/nonmetal mining) that cause or
contribute to fatal accidents in the mining industry in 9 accident
categories.
In 2009, mining fatalities fell to an all-time
low for the second straight year. While the mining community
achieved a record-setting low of 34 mining deaths in the United
States and has seen a significant decline in fatal mining accidents
during the past 10 years, too many miners still lose their lives in
preventable accidents. The loss of even one miner causes devastation
and pain to the victim's family and friends. From CY 2000 - 2008,
589 miners lost their lives, mostly in single and double fatality
accidents. MSHA analyzed these fatal accidents to identify
conditions and practices that contributed to the 589 deaths, safety
standards violated, root causes, and abatement practices. MSHA's
analysis identified 24 standards - 13 in metal and nonmetal mining
and 11 in coal mining - frequently cited in fatal accident
investigations. These violations fell into 9 different categories:
PRIORITY STANDARDS: METAL/NONMETAL
PRIORITY STANDARDS:
COAL
- §75.202*
Roof, face, and ribs shall be supported and no person shall work
or travel under unsupported roof
- §75.220(a)(1)
Develop and follow approved roof control plan
- §75.511 No
electrical work shall be performed on energized low, medium, or
high-voltage distribution circuits or equipment …
- §75.1403-10(i)
Off-track haulage roadways shall be maintained…
- §75.1725(a)
Equipment shall be maintained in safe operating condition or,
removed from service
- §75.1725(c) No
repairs until power off and blocked
- §77.404(c)
No repairs or maintenance shall be performed until the power is
off and machinery is blocked
- §77.1607(g) All
persons shall be clear before starting or moving equipment
- §77.1607(n)
Mobile equipment shall not be left unattended unless brakes are
set, chocked…
- §77.1710(g)
Safety belts and lines shall be used where there is a danger of
falling
- §77.1710(i)
Seatbelts shall be worn in a vehicle where there is a danger of
overturning and where roll protection is provided
*includes all
subparts The nine accident categories are:
- Falls from Elevation
- Falls of Roof and Rib
- Operating Mobile Equipment (Surface)
- Operating Mobile Equipment (Underground)
- Maintenance
- Lock and Tag Out
- Struck by Mobile Equipment (Surface)
- Struck by Mobile Equipment (Underground)
- Blocking Against Motion
Many miners over the years
have lost their lives in these types of accidents. All of us - MSHA,
mine operators, contractors, miners' representatives and miners -
must focus on why these accidents happen and how to stop them. MSHA
will provide operators program and resource information, such as
engineering suggestions, and reach out to miners and miners'
representatives during inspections to ensure that mine operators and
miners have information to address and eliminate workplace hazards.
Compliance with safety and health standards is the
responsibility of mine operators. While MSHA supports education and
outreach efforts to assist the mining industry in improving mine
safety and health, MSHA is charged with ensuring consistent and
strict compliance with safety and health standards, and expects
operators to foster a culture of zero tolerance for violations in
their operations, including violations by contractors. Please share
this information with all of your members and constituents.
MSHA has compiled reference material on this page to help
operators, contractors, supervisors, miners' representatives,
miners, and other members of the mining community to focus on these
24 standards and 9 categories and improve safety and health in
America's mines.
I believe it is possible to eliminate
fatalities in our nation’s mining industry, and working together we
can accomplish that. I look forward to working with you to make that
happen.
Important Information from the Assistant
Secretary
Charts and
Analysis
Accident Investigation
Reports
Enforcement Summaries
Resources
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