Not My Legal Opinion’s Post

TODAY - The Department of Labor holds the 2nd annual ‘Stand Down to Save Lives’ to promote miner safety and health at nation’s mines.  MSHA encourages the mining community — miners, operators, and unions — to set aside time during the week of May 20-24 to stress the importance of safety and health in and around U.S. mines. Agency leaders and staff will visit mines across the nation on May 22 in MSHA’s continued educational and outreach efforts to reduce fatalities, serious injuries, and illnesses in the industry.  Initiatives like Stand Down to Save Lives are designed to reduce injuries and fatalities suffered by miners each year. During the 2024 event, MSHA strongly encourages the entire mining community to do the following: ✅ Have open discussions about common hazards that exist in mining operations. ✅ Conduct thorough and detailed examinations of workplaces and equipment. ✅ Take part in safety training sessions designed to enhance awareness and preparedness. Learn more about Stand Down to Save Lives 2024 and how to participate:

In the mining industry, safety remains a top priority, yet tragedies still occur, reminding us of the inherent dangers faced by workers. This fatality serves as a sobering statistic and a call to action for improved safety measures and protocols. This incident underscores the challenges within the mining sector, where workers are often exposed to hazardous conditions, heavy machinery, and the risks of geological instability. Each fatality not only represents a loss of life but also impacts families, communities, and overall workforce morale. To prevent future incidents like mine fatality #28, it is crucial for mining companies to invest in comprehensive training programs, adopt advanced safety technologies, and foster a culture of safety where employees feel empowered to voice concerns. Regular safety drills, maintenance of equipment, and adherence to regulatory standards can significantly reduce the risk of accidents. Moreover, open communication between management and workers can lead to identifying potential hazards before they result in tragedy. By learning from past incidents, the industry can strive for a safer working environment, ensuring that every miner returns home safely at the end of their shift. In light of this tragic event, we will be providing prayer support for the family, friends, and colleagues of the individual lost. We understand that these moments are incredibly difficult, and extending our support during this time underscores our commitment to the well-being of all those affected. This is serves as a reminder of the ongoing need for vigilance, innovation, and commitment to safety in the mining sector. By prioritizing the well-being of workers and supporting one another, the industry can work towards a future where such tragedies become a thing of the past.

Celebrating National Miners Day Each December 6th, we celebrate National Miners Day to recognize and applaud the skill, dedication, and hard work miners put into providing many of the products essential to fulfilling America's most vital needs. Some might say the term “Made in America” stemmed from deep mining roots. America's miners have historically been an invaluable part of our nation's workforce, supplying the minerals and raw materials for many critical needs like communications, energy, manufacturing, and infrastructure. Today, thousands of miners supply the iron and coal necessary to produce steel, the sand and gravel needed to build our roads and bridges, and the copper and other important minerals essential to manufacturing electronics and batteries for electrical vehicles. Top Commodities Mined in the US, 2019 Rank Commodity Value, US$ billion   1 Coal 25.1 2 Crushed rock 18.7 3 Cement 12.5 4 Gold 9.0 5 Construction sand and gravel 9.0 6 Copper 7.9 7 Industrial sand and gravel 5.7 8 Iron ore 5.4 In 2019, the US was the 2nd largest world producer of limestone. In 2022, the United States had approximately 6,162 sand and gravel mines that were active. That was a decrease of 43 since the year before. Stone mines were the second most numerous among active mines in the U.S. that year, with 4,271 active mines. In total, the U.S. had 12,563 active mines across the country in 2022. As we honor their accomplishments and remember the tragedies that these hard-working individuals experience, the country must keep in mind that mining is one of America's most dangerous jobs. Miners put their lives at risk every day. They contend with health and safety issues as well as an uncertain future. The U.S. Department of Labor's Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) agency employs individuals who are out at mine sites each day actively protecting miners’ safety and health. Additionally, MSHA conducts monthly impact inspections to identify and eliminate hazards that can cost miners their lives. MSHA also launched the inaugural “Stand Down to Save Lives” event to educate miners and operators as part of a national campaign to encourage the nation’s mining community to take steps to prevent injuries and illnesses.  This National Miners Day, please join me in expressing appreciation for our nation’s miners and their families whose hard work and dedication supply all of us with some of our most critical needs. #NationalMinersDay

Curating knowledge on mine health and safety is essential for ensuring the well-being of all workers in the industry. Check out this insightful article from SME that explores critical aspects of mine safety and the importance of maintaining a secure working environment. Let’s prioritize safety to create a healthier future for our mining communities! https://lnkd.in/gQneC6Qm #apache #apacheironworks #minehealth #safetyfirst #miningindustry #workplacesafety #mininglife #safeworkplace #healthandsafety #miningnews #industryinsights #safetyculture

Elevating Safety in Mining: Navigating Heights Securely In the dynamic world of mining, where heights are an everyday challenge, ensuring safety becomes paramount. Let's delve into the crucial domain of height safety within both underground and surface mining operations. 🏭 Challenges Across Mining Environments: 🛠️ Safeguarding Elevated Platforms: Whether it's surface mine structures, equipment, or conveyors, workers in both underground and surface mining encounter elevated platforms. Implementing safety measures like sturdy guardrails and harness systems is crucial to prevent falls. ⚙️ Accessing High-Elevation Sites: Mining sites can span vast areas with diverse terrains. How do we ensure the safety of workers navigating heights to access ore deposits or maintain equipment on the surface? Discussing tailored safety protocols is key. 📈 Practical Height Safety Measures in Mining: 1️⃣ Customized Training Programs: Conducting specialized training sessions for mining personnel that focus on the unique challenges of working at heights in both underground and surface mining environments. This could include simulating realistic scenarios and emergency response drills. 2️⃣ Robust Equipment Inspection: Regularly inspecting and maintaining safety equipment like fall arrest systems, lifelines, and harnesses. In the mining industry, where equipment is subjected to rugged conditions, durability and reliability are non-negotiable. 3️⃣ Terrain-Specific Risk Assessments: Performing thorough risk assessments considering the specific geological and topographical features of mining sites. Identifying potential hazards like unstable ground or harsh weather conditions and devising strategies to address them. 🌟 Showcasing Mining Safety Success Stories: Let's spotlight success stories from both underground and surface mining! Share instances where innovative height safety measures made a significant impact on accident prevention. Your experiences could spark ideas for others in the industry. 🤝 Collaboration for Mining Safety: Tag mining professionals, safety experts, or organizations leading the way in height safety within the mining sector. Foster collaboration and knowledge sharing to strengthen safety standards across the mining community. 🔗 Together, let's build a culture of safety in mining. Share your insights, experiences, or any valuable resources related to height safety in both underground and surface mining. #MiningSafety #SafetyInMining #HeightSafety"

Your Safety is Our Priority! Mining isn’t just another job—it’s a way of life. But that life comes with risks, and we’re here to help make sure every miner stays safe underground. From helmets to high-visibility gear, respiratory protection, and more, the right gear can mean the difference between a close call and a serious accident. Our latest blog post dives into the essential safety gear every mining professional needs to get the job done and return home safely. Learn about the gear that saves lives and how Springdale Minpaco is leading the charge to keep miners protected. Click here to read more and keep your team safe: https://lnkd.in/d-DyJAkT Next week: We're exploring the latest technology in mining safety and the innovations that are transforming the industry! Don't miss it! #SpringdaleMinpaco #MiningSafety #PPE #MiningNewfoundland #SafetyGear #MiningSolutions #WorkSafe #ProtectYourTeam #ShopLocalNL

The American mining industry, had its deadliest year in a decade, according to the Mine Safety & Health Administration (MSHA). In 2023 there were 40 fatalities, the most in a single year since 2014 in the industry. Reasons? Powered Haulage accidents, electrocutions, loose rocks, machinery crashes and even drownings. That's why improving safety and taking proper care of the crew working underground is so important. Luckily, the introduction of safety training kits has changed the way miners are prepared for the risks faced daily in the deep undergrounds. It's not only about first-aid kits but for some years now, the usage of different technologies in elevating the level of safety to higher standards. As going further in this article, we will try to understand different solutions and aspects of the different safety training kits in mining. Who knows, maybe we will be able to change someone's mind to implement some of the solutions in their mining operations. Learn more: https://lnkd.in/eFBMvBag #undergroundmining #miningsafety #safety #BecauseItWorks

NEWSFLASH ⚠ Notice Title: Mine Health and Safety Act 29 of 1996 (“MHSA”): Guidance Note for the Management of GBVF, Safety and Security Challenges for Women in the South African Mining Industry Government Notice: GN 5098 in GG 51003 on 2 August 2024 Commencing date: 1 November 2024 The Chief Inspector of Mines, in terms of section 49(6) read together with sections 9(2) and 9(3) of the MHSA as amended, issued the Guidance Note for the Management of Gender-based Violence and Femicide (“GBVF”), Safety and Security Challenges for Women in the South African Mining Industry. The guidance note was compiled specifically with the view to provide guidance to all stakeholders regarding their roles and responsibilities with reference to the management of GBVF, safety and security of women in the mining industry. Mining companies have approximately three months to draft and implement the said guidance note prior to it taking effect on the 1st of November 2024. For a copy of the Government Gazette Notice click here: https://lnkd.in/dyj_y9cS For more information or assistance please contact Gert van der Waal at [email protected]. #HealthandSafety #MHSA #MineHealthandSafetyAct #SafetyandSecurity #Shangoni https://lnkd.in/dJNSUEYC

Did you know? Approximately 90% of accidents in the mining industry are attributed to “human factors,” which encompass unsafe actions or decisions made by miners 👷🏽👷🏽♀️These errors ❌often arise from issues such as inadequate training, fatigue, or insufficient situational awareness, highlighting human behavior as a primary concern in mine safety, rather than solely attributing incidents to mechanical failures or environmental conditions.⚒️ Today, I would like to invite to complete a short survey. The objective of this survey is to identify the personality factors that influence unsafe behaviors, which can lead to accidents in the mining sector. Your time is greatly helpful in contributing to a safety culture that minimizes accidents in the mining industry. ⚒️Survey Link in Spanish: https://lnkd.in/guWNaxi5 ⚒️Survey Link in English: https://lnkd.in/gXd6sX38

Queensland’s mine workers are encouraged to report their safety concerns and usually do so, but some barriers to reporting do exist according to the results of an industry-wide survey released today. The survey responses from more than 7500 mine workers were outlined in The state of safety reporting culture in Queensland’s mining industry report which was launched by the Minister for Resources and Critical Minerals Scott Stewart MP at Coronado Global Resources Inc. Curragh mine in the Bowen Basin. Interim Commissioner for Resources Safety and Health Andrew Clough said the survey aimed to identify strength and opportunity areas in Queensland’s mining industry to achieve a strong safety reporting culture. “The survey results showed that one of the industry’s top strength areas was team support for safety which says that Queensland’s mine workers look out for each other on the job, stop work if they believe it is unsafe, and perform work safely without taking shortcuts," Andrew said. “Mine workers also understand and follow safety standards and procedures, understand the controls put in place to prevent incidents, and understand their obligations to report near misses and high potential incidents.” The survey was conducted by the Commissioner for Resources Safety and Health in cooperation with the Coal Mining Safety and Health Advisory Committee and the Mining Safety and Health Advisory Committee. The report was co-authored by Sentis who also performed independent data analysis and validation. For more information and to download of copy of the report go to https://lnkd.in/gbw62BW9