The agency also announced that previous POV notices issued to the following mines remain in effect:
- Issued July 6, 2023, to Atalco Gramercy LLC, operator of Gramercy Operation in Gramercy, Louisiana, after MSHA identified a pattern of S&S violations related to leaks at the mine that create accumulations of material containing hazardous chemicals in work areas and walkways.
- Issued Dec. 1, 2022, to Morton Salt Inc., operator of the Weeks Island Mine and Mill in New Iberia, Louisiana, after the agency MSHA identified a pattern of S&S violations related to conditions and/or practices that contributed to loose ground hazards on ceilings and ribs throughout the mine.
Following issuance of the POV notice, 106 Mine Act 104(e) withdrawal orders have been issued to Atalco Gramercy. This includes a recent impact inspection at Gramercy Operation that resulted in the issuance of 60 violations of mandatory safety and health standards, including 24 S&S violations, 23 104(e) orders, and four unwarrantable failure findings. To date, Morton Salt has been issued 96 104(e) withdrawal orders following receipt of its POV notice.
For mines that receive a POV notice, all significant and substantial violations issued after the date of the notice are issued as 104(e) orders as directed by the Mine Act. Only miners who are assisting with the abatement of the hazards cited may remain in the area of the violation. The POV notice is terminated if MSHA does not issue a withdrawal order within 90 days after the notice is issued or if an MSHA inspection of the entire mine finds no S&S violations.
MSHA offers two online calculators to help mine operators monitor compliance: the Pattern of Violations Calculator, which allows mine operators to monitor performance under the POV screening criteria and alerts mine operators that corrective actions are needed, and the Significant and Substantial Calculator, which enables mine operators to monitor their S&S violations. Mine operators are responsible for tracking their violation and injury histories to determine whether they need to take action to avoid meeting the POV screening criteria.
McCraren Compliance offers many opportunities in safety training to help circumvent accidents. Please take a moment to visit our calendar of classes to see what we can do to help your safety measures from training to consulting.
Original article published by U.S. Department of Labor