When a mine operator takes an unauthorized deep cut, it puts miners at risk of potential roof and rib fall hazards. Conducting adequate workplace examinations is necessary to identify and eliminate hazards that can jeopardize miners’ safety and health.
During the inspection, inspectors found that the operator did not install a ventilation curtain in the entry as required by the MSHA-approved ventilation plan. Ensuring proper ventilation in accordance with the plan, functioning water sprays, and cleaning up loose coal and coal dust significantly reduce potential explosion and respirable dust hazards. Specifically, ventilation curtains and water sprays are important tools to protect miners from overexposures to respirable coal dust and silica—the principal causes of life-threatening lung diseases plaguing far too many miners.
On Jan. 31, an impact inspection was conducted at the Atalco Gramercy LLC, Gramercy Operation—a large alumina mine employing approximately 508 miners—located in St. James, Louisiana. MSHA inspectors issued 36 citations for violations of various mandatory health and safety standards and two orders removing miners who lacked adequate training. Specifically, the operator was cited for the following:
- Improper maintenance of electrical equipment, including unsafe electrical cables, missing or damaged inspection and cover plates, and potentially dangerous conditions not corrected before energizing equipment.
- Mobile equipment improperly parked on an incline without the brake engaged and the wheels chocked.
- Failing to take prompt appropriate action to correct caustic material spills that exposed miners to possible slips, trips, and falls after the hazards had been identified on workplace examinations.
Mine operators must ensure that miners receive required training, and if miners do not receive that training, they must be immediately withdrawn from the mine because they are a hazard to themselves and others.
It is important that operators properly maintain electrical equipment, correct potential electrical hazards, and encourage miners to focus on safety when doing work on potentially energized equipment or near electrical lines or wires. To date this year, three miners have died in accidents related to electrical hazards, and MSHA recently issued a safety alert to share important information and best practices.
MSHA initiated impact inspections in April 2010 after an explosion at the Upper Big Branch Mine in West Virginia claimed the lives of 29 miners. From March 2020 through December 2022, MSHA conducted targeted inspections at mines that warranted additional enforcement activity. MSHA resumed conducting regular monthly impact inspections in January 2023 and is publishing the results on its website.
MSHA’s Monthly Impact Inspection List for January and February.
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.