BECKLEY, W.Va — The U.S Department of Labor’s Mine Safety and Health Administration is holding a series of public stakeholder meetings on the Agency’s Request for Information regarding Safety Improvement Technologies for Mobile Equipment at Surface Mines, and for Belt Conveyors at Surface and Underground Mines.
Tuesday’s meeting at the Mine Health and Safety Acadamy in Beckley included a presentation of a device that will prevent mobile equipment from operating if the seat belt system is not engaged. Senior Administrator of Metal/Non-Metal Safety and Health Kevin Stricklin cited the number of accidents occuring over the past decade as a main reason for the public hearings.
“There’s been 37 fatalities, and 35 of those 37 fatalities since 2007 could have been (prevented) if the miner was wearing a seat belt,” said Stricklin.
A device to improve belt conveyer safety was also discussed. Stricklin said the Request for Information (RFI) may lead to additional regulation, though he emphasized that his agency is only in the information gathering stage, at this time. The RFI is part of a larger initiative MSHA is undertaking to reduce accidents involving powered haulage, including haul trucks, front-end loaders and other large vehicles, as well as belt conveyors.
The deadline for public comment is December 24th.
Story by Pete Davis