Mar
10
Foreman Pleads Guilty to Falsifying Mine Safety Record
Wed, 03/10/2010 - 21:23
A former foreman at a West Virginia coal mine has pleaded guilty to falsifying a MSHA-mandated inspection record indicating he had conducted a safety check for explosive gases behind an underground seal when he had not.
Mar
8
Coal Firm Amends Claim in MSHA Abuse Case
Mon, 03/08/2010 - 20:10
An Illinois coal company is trying again to launch a lawsuit against MSHA for allegedly engaging in abusive mine inspection practices.
Mar
8
2 Promoted at MSHA
Mon, 03/08/2010 - 13:58
Don Foster and Mark Wesolowski have received promotions at MSHA.
Mar
2
Hug, ‘Old Boys’ Club’ Remark and Lecture Mark Congressional Hearing
Tue, 03/02/2010 - 13:20
Last week’s hearing in the U.S. House of Representatives on MSHA’s civil litigation backlog problem included a bear hug between two witnesses, an allegation that informal safety and health conferences were an example of “an old boys’ club” at work, and a pointed lecture to the head of the mine safety agency.
Mar
2
Foreman Details History of Methane Testing at Federal No. 2 Mine
Tue, 03/02/2010 - 10:52
A foreman charged with falsifying a mine safety inspection record claims he was ordered more than a year ago not to keep records of explosive methane levels inside sealed areas of the Federal No. 2 underground coal mine in West Virginia.
Feb
28
MSHA Predicts Lower Fines in 2011
Sun, 02/28/2010 - 20:50
Agency Lays Out Its Plans to Congress
There is something to cheer about in MSHA's fiscal year (FY) 2011 budget statement to Congress: the Agency predicts lower fines in the coming year than in FY 2009 or 2010.
Feb
26
Iddings’ Fines Head into Stratosphere
Fri, 02/26/2010 - 11:35
In the December issue of Sharpe's Point, we told the story of a small Central Pennsylvania quarry operator with a 25-year unblemished safety record who received fines from MSHA totaling $254,842.
Feb
26
MSHA Staff Positions Unsettled at the Top
Fri, 02/26/2010 - 11:31
Staffers in key positions at MSHA remain in limbo months after Assistant Secretary Joe Main assumed command last October.
Feb
26
Judge Rejects Lawsuit Against MSHA, Gives Operator 2nd Chance
Fri, 02/26/2010 - 10:09
A federal judge has thrown out a lawsuit alleging MSHA had engaged in abusive oversight and quota-driven citations against a Southern Illinois coal complex.
In taking the action Feb. 19, a district judge said American Coal Co. had not made its case. However, he offered the company another bite at the apple, giving it until March 4 to advance new arguments seeking relief from MSHA enforcement actions.
Feb
26
Charges Filed Against West Virginia Coal Supervisor
Fri, 02/26/2010 - 09:33
Federal prosecutors have filed an information against a West Virginia mine foreman, alleging he made a false statement on a required safety report concerning methane levels in a sealed area of an underground coal mine.