Mine Safety Inspection Regulations
The Federal Mine Safety and Health Act is a U.S. law that provides requirements for mine safety inspection. The Mine Safety Administration implements regulations concerning mine safety inspection and is charged with protecting the safety of mine workers. In addition to the enforcement of mine safety laws, the Mine Safety Administration promotes mine worker safety and accident prevention through educational and technical assistance programs.
Inspections
The Mine Safety Act authorizes representatives from the Department of Health, Education and Welfare to conduct safety inspections and investigations of mines to obtain information about accidents as well as compliance with health and safety standards. Following an inspection and investigation of an accident, the agency may hold public hearings as well as subpoena witnesses and relevant documents.
Imminent Danger
Federal law authorizes miners, or their representatives, to request an immediate inspection of a suspected violation of the Federal Mine Safety and Health Act or in the event of an imminent danger to the health and safety of mine workers. The Federal Mine Safety and Health Act requires miners, or their representatives, to submit the immediate, or special, inspection request in writing and include the signature of the miner(s). Following the inspection, the agency will notify the miner(s) in writing of the inspection results and whether it issued a citation. In the event a citation was not issued, miners may request an informal review of the agency's decision.
Records
Federal law requires mine operators to maintain records of employee exposure to toxic chemicals or other harmful agents. Mine operators must make these records available to employees or their agents to obtain information concerning the level of toxic chemical or harmful agent exposure. In the event of dangerous exposure to chemicals or agents, federal law requires mine operators to notify employees of the exposure. Mine operators must also investigate accidents to determine the cause and maintain records for inspection.
Inspections
The Mine Safety Act authorizes representatives from the Department of Health, Education and Welfare to conduct safety inspections and investigations of mines to obtain information about accidents as well as compliance with health and safety standards. Following an inspection and investigation of an accident, the agency may hold public hearings as well as subpoena witnesses and relevant documents.
Imminent Danger
Federal law authorizes miners, or their representatives, to request an immediate inspection of a suspected violation of the Federal Mine Safety and Health Act or in the event of an imminent danger to the health and safety of mine workers. The Federal Mine Safety and Health Act requires miners, or their representatives, to submit the immediate, or special, inspection request in writing and include the signature of the miner(s). Following the inspection, the agency will notify the miner(s) in writing of the inspection results and whether it issued a citation. In the event a citation was not issued, miners may request an informal review of the agency's decision.
Records
Federal law requires mine operators to maintain records of employee exposure to toxic chemicals or other harmful agents. Mine operators must make these records available to employees or their agents to obtain information concerning the level of toxic chemical or harmful agent exposure. In the event of dangerous exposure to chemicals or agents, federal law requires mine operators to notify employees of the exposure. Mine operators must also investigate accidents to determine the cause and maintain records for inspection.
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