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Tag archives for MSHA
Waiting for Obama Administration to deliver on new worker safety regulations, probably shouldn’t hold my breath
Posted by Celeste Monforton, DrPH, MPH of George Washington University School of Public Health & Health Services on May 15, 2013 Spring 2013 looked like it would be a banner season for progress by the Obama Administration on new worker safety regulations; not so much anymore.
$70 million owed by mine operators for unpaid safety penalties, time for “boot” device equivalent
Posted by Celeste Monforton, DrPH, MPH of George Washington University School of Public Health & Health Services on April 16, 2013 In many cities, traffic control officers will “boot” are vehicle if it’s racked up too many unpaid parking tickets. It’s time for an equivalent sanction for employers who violate labor laws and refuse to pay the penalties.
It’s not rocket science to prevent coal miner’s deaths
Posted by Celeste Monforton, DrPH, MPH of George Washington University School of Public Health & Health Services on February 6, 2013 Greg Byers, 43, worked underground at Arch Coal/ICG’s Pocahontas Coal Mine in Beckley, WV. He suffered a serious injury in July 2012 that led to his death. An investigation report explains how common sense–not rocket science–could have prevented his work-related death.
This takes the cake: Kentucky company sues coal miner who complained about safety problems
Posted by Celeste Monforton, DrPH, MPH of George Washington University School of Public Health & Health Services on January 29, 2013 HuffPo’s Dave Jamieson writes this week about a Kentucky worker who raised concerns about safety problems at Armstrong Coal, was fired for doing so and complained about it to the Labor Department, and is now being sued by his former employer for making his claim.
Repeat violators of mine safety rules targeted in new Labor Dept regulation
Posted by Celeste Monforton, DrPH, MPH of George Washington University School of Public Health & Health Services on January 23, 2013 The Labor Department’s MSHA issued a new regulation this week targeting employers that have an egregious pattern of violating mine safety and health standards.
Delays continue in Obama Administration on new worker safety protections
Posted by Celeste Monforton, DrPH, MPH of George Washington University School of Public Health & Health Services on January 8, 2013 With five days left in calendar year 2012, the Obama Administration released its current regulatory plan and agenda, including new rules addressing health and safety hazards in workplaces. Neither OSHA nor MSHA have a good track record predicting when such rules will actually be completed.
Seven worker safety rules remain stuck, stalled, “under review” in Obama White House
Posted by Celeste Monforton, DrPH, MPH of George Washington University School of Public Health & Health Services on November 20, 2012 Seven new worker safety regulations–both proposed and final rules—are stuck in the Obama White House. One proposed rule has been “under review” for 645 days.
Worker safety wishlist for Obama’s second term
Posted by Celeste Monforton, DrPH, MPH of George Washington University School of Public Health & Health Services on November 7, 2012 Now that the Presidential election is over, it’s time for the Labor Department to kick into high gear expand workers’ rights and ensuring workers’ lives and health are protected. Here’s my wish list of tasks for the Labor Department to accomplish in the next 6 months:
The year in worker health & safety: action (and not) on the federal scene
Posted by Celeste Monforton, DrPH, MPH of George Washington University School of Public Health & Health Services on September 6, 2012 In our new report “The Year in U.S. Occupational Health & Safety,” we devote one section to key activities by the Obama Administration and the U.S. Congress.
On memorializing miners
Posted by The Pump Handle on August 21, 2012 The newly unveiled granite memorial in Whitesville, WV is a visible reminder of the 29 miners who were killed in the Upper Big Branch mine, but the truest measure of our recognition of their sacrifice is what we do in their memory to protect the living.