Arlington, VA — Prompted by an “alarming trend” of latest miner deaths, Mine Safety and Health Administration head Chris Williamson is looking on the business to strengthen security efforts.
In an April 14 letter to mining stakeholders, Williamson writes that MSHA has recorded 16 miner deaths thus far this 12 months – greater than half of the 29 noticed by the company all of final 12 months.
In an effort to elevate consciousness and forestall extra deaths within the business, MSHA will observe an inaugural “Stand Down to Save Lives” day on May 17. The company will present an internet toolkit and assets, the letter states.
“We encourage everyone in the mining community to join us in setting aside a time during this week to give additional focus to the safety and health of our nation’s miners,” Williamson writes.
The deadly mining incidents this 12 months have concerned automobile collisions, electrocutions, falls from elevated surfaces, tools rollovers and drowning. Williamson provides that MSHA should work along with miners, operators and labor unions to “reverse” the trend.
Implementing efficient security and well being packages with common office examinations and coaching might help miners “internalize the importance of safety and health practices,” the letter states.
“I know that the entire community finds the troubling number of fatalities so far this year unacceptable. Reversing it will require the efforts of everyone in the mining community. MSHA knows that we cannot do this alone, and I am confident that we can count on you to continue to work with us to achieve significant improvement in miners’ safety and health. The nation’s miners, their families and mining communities deserve no less.”
