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August 08, 2013

MSHA held an open industry briefing this week and revealed the following three initiatives of the agency:

Reference was made to MSHA pursuing a “global” HazCom standard, patterned after the one in use under OSHA law.  A program Policy Letter will be forthcoming on Monday, August 12 that will explain the differences between the two standards and how MSHA intends on reconciling the two programs along with the changes coal operators will have to undertake to meet compliance expectations going forward.

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August 08, 2013

The next regularly scheduled meeting of WVCA’s Mine Safety Committee is planned for Thursday, August 22^ND at the Charleston Civic Center.  The meeting will begin at 9 am in Room 206 and is intended to provide an up-to-date review and discussion of current mine safety issues pending on the state and federal level.

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August 08, 2013

A meeting of the Association’s  Communications Group will be held at 9 a.m. on Friday, August 23^rd in Room 206 of the Second Floor Conference Center at the Charleston Civic Center.  Please plan to attend.  All member companies are encouraged to become involved and have a presence with this new dynamic effort of the Association. Please let Sandi know if you or others from within your organization plan to attend the August 23rd meeting.

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August 08, 2013

Request for Information and Limited Reopening of the Record

On August 8, 2013, the Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) published two notices in the Federal Register on refuge alternatives in underground coal mines:

·       A Request for Information (RFI) to request data, comment, and information on issues and options relevant to miners’ escape and refuge; and

·       A Limited Reopening of the Record to request public comment on the appropriate frequency for motor task (hands-on), decision-making, and expectations training for miners on refuge alternatives.

Responses to these requests will help improve the overall strategy for miners’ survival in an underground coal mine emergency.

These notices are available for viewing at the Federal Register Public Inspection Desk: http://www.federalregister.gov/inspection.aspx.  Comments are due by October 7th, 2013.

 

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August 08, 2013

Three coal-related administrative rules were recently filed with the Legislature for consideration during the 2014 Regular Session.  WV DEP filed its final Water Quality Standards Rule that includes revisions to the standards for beryllium (from .0077 ug/l to 4 ug/l) and aluminum (conversion to a hardness based standard with no special restrictions for trout streams).  The changes to the water quality standards rule are currently operating as an emergency rule that was filed in March 2013.

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