tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-63913231051316503352024-03-05T03:30:46.400-08:00MSHA Inspections: Preparing Your Small Sand and Gravel Operations (Part 46 Mines) for a VisitCourtesy of La Pine Redi Mix, Inc. and T.M. Sand & Gravel, LLC .......... All rights reserved ~ April 2009La Pine Redi Mix, Inc.http://www.blogger.com/profile/11461731568253083399noreply@blogger.comBlogger78125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6391323105131650335.post-44970967410670659592010-07-24T08:36:00.000-07:002010-07-24T08:39:36.377-07:00"A Big Win for Aggregate Producers" Article by Katie E. Jeremiah<div class="hd2" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>A Big Win for Aggregate Producers</b></span></div><div></div><div class="byline" style="text-align: center;">By <a href="http://www.jordanschrader.com/professionals/attorneys/jeremiahk.html">Katie E. Jeremiah</a></div><div class="byline"><br />
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</div>Local aggregate producers had a big win on July 21, 2010, when the House Education and Labor Committee, considering laws designed to overhaul the Mine Safety Health Administration ("MSHA"), voted H.R. 5663 out of committee with a provision that specifically excludes most surface mines from the new Robert C. Byrd Miner Safety and Health Act.<br />
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Regulators have been under intense pressure to tighten workplace safety regulations and impose tougher penalties on violators, following several recent and fatal coal mine disasters. Tension has been high between industry and lawmakers, as they seek to strike a balance between addressing workplace safety concerns and imposing costly requirements on contractors in order to encourage workplace safety.<br />
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MSHA has broad jurisdiction, ranging from expansive coal mining operations on the East Coast to small, family-owned gravel quarries in Oregon. Although coal mining in West Virginia is dramatically different from surface mine aggregate production in Oregon, local aggregate producers have been subject to the same stringent MSHA regulations.<br />
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Local operators and industry associations have been working diligently to educate lawmakers on the dramatic differences between surface and underground coal mining operations. The amendments that were voted out of committee proved that lobbying efforts were successful in demonstrating that regulating these two types of mining operations under the same law would not be practical.<br />
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If surface mining had not been excluded from this legislation, operators could have faced stiff civil and criminal penalties of up to $2 million and imprisonment for up to 10 years for violations. This is not to say that legislators will not draft subsequent laws with similar penalties specifically targeting surface mine operations. Local aggregate producers can find some comfort in knowing that for the time being they are excluded from the current draft of the MSHA reform legislation.<br />
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<div class="bodyright"><i>Published Summer 2010</i></div><div class="body2">This article is intended to inform the reader of general legal principles applicable to the subject area. It is not intended to provide legal advice regarding specific problems or circumstances. Readers should consult with competent counsel with regard to specific situations.</div><br />
<div class="bodyend">This page printed from: <a href="http://www.jordanschrader.com/articles/article0383.html">http://www.jordanschrader.com/articles/article0383.html</a></div><div class="bodyend"><a href="javascript:close()"><br />
</a> </div>La Pine Redi Mix, Inc.http://www.blogger.com/profile/11461731568253083399noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6391323105131650335.post-11888785349624052962010-07-24T08:32:00.000-07:002010-07-29T06:39:20.291-07:00Explanation by NSSGA's President Jennifer Joy Wilson: Underground and Above Ground Mines Separated in New Leglislation:<div class="ecxMsoNormal"><span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt;">In what I would call at the least, an unexpected turnaround in approach, Chairman George Miller, following an NSSGA delegation meeting early yesterday evening, decided by 11:25pm last night to include a carve-out for all mining sectors including aggregates, from his bill. His bill being marked up in the full House Education and Labor Committee today <b>ONLY applies to underground coal and other underground mining with flammable gases. </b>The Committee just adjourned until 2pm when the roll call votes will occur (a presidential signing ceremony drew some of the committee Members away).</span></div><div class="ecxMsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="ecxMsoNormal"><span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt;">Rep. Tom Price (R-GA) opposed the carve-out, asking if it wouldn’t be more fair for any changes to MSHA law to apply to all mining sectors. He was answered by Rep. David Wu (D-OR) who responded that he’d work with Price if Price wanted to include sand and gravel. No other comments supporting Price’s point were made. </span></div><div class="ecxMsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="ecxMsoNormal"><span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt;">This therefore is a significant victory for NSSGA leadership (especially the GA division-S&H Committee Task Force, the S&H Committee and ESH division leadership, some great input by Council of Counsel members and state association partners; the NSSGA staff who brought together the ad-hoc national coalition and have worked tirelessly with NSSGA member “weekend warriors” to exchange inputs back and forth with the also tireless committee staff). Most important, we are grateful for all the critical grassroots and ‘grasstops’ calls from member after member, including non-members’ calls rallied at our request by the state aggregate associations. We’ll you’re your help for similar if not more constituent support in the Senate.</span></div><div class="ecxMsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="ecxMsoNormal"><span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt;">NSSGA has removed from our legislative action center, our Action Alert to oppose the bill as amended by the Chairman’s mark (his amendment in the nature of a substitute). We have not suggested support for the remnant bill (we would defer to the coal industry and NMA on how the amended provisions, which NSSGA has been reacting to and addressing throughout these past weeks/weekends and late evenings/early mornings, impact the underground coal sector).</span></div><div class="ecxMsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="ecxMsoNormal"><span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt;">Commendations and gratitude to the down to earth eloquence and impactful reality check provided in person by our NSSGA member leaders, who also up-ended their schedules yesterday to participate in the last-minute meeting with Chairman Miller: Dave Thomey, Jim Venesky, and Mike Heenan. I am so proud also of Joe Casper and Pam Whitted, of their teammates here in HQ and many many others that deserve our thanks.</span></div><div class="ecxMsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="ecxMsoNormal"><span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt;">I want to assure you, NSSGA never justified our position by defaming or scapegoating coal or any other industry sector. </span></div><div class="ecxMsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="ecxMsoNormal"><span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt;">We based our position that none of this should apply to us, which we reiterated to the Chairman last evening in person and then by letter still later in the evening, to him and to all members on the committee as well as their appropriate staff . To the letter we attached legal analysis of recent changes as well as our hearing statement, our hearing Statement, and language for a legislative approach (special thanks to Mark Savit) to carve us out by targeting the bill’s application to highest risk sector/operations, because:</span></div><div class="ecxMsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="ecxMsoNormal"><span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt;"> </span></div><div class="ecxMsoNormal"><span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt;"> a) aggregates achieved record safety and health levels in 09: our sector doesn’t deserve to be punished for those remarkable achievements and strong commitment to S&H improvements in future,</span></div><div class="ecxMsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="ecxMsoNormal"><span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt;"> </span></div><div class="ecxMsoNormal"><span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt;"> b) aggregates operations were not and are not the provocation for the legislation; our risk profile is inherently different from other industries due to the nature of materials sought: our underground stone mines don’t have flammable gases, or combustible dust; our underground stone mines are cavernous and stable vs. tunnels, etc.</span></div><div class="ecxMsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="ecxMsoNormal"><span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt;"> c) aggregates businesses coast to coast have been hit hard by the recession; our construction materials relate to the construction industries’ markets, and those industries continue to experience depression-level unemployment; </span></div><div class="ecxMsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="ecxMsoNormal"><span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt;"> d) companies whose production is already cut way back, are already experiencing dramatically increased penalties despite record safety and health achievements, and are further deeply concerned by current inconsistent MSHA enforcement. (Among many comments by the NSSGA delegation to the Chairman last evening, I explained that even Joe Main declared a top priority of his is to resolve inconsistent enforcement…that NSSGA was working with MSHA to help identify and clarify ambiguities.) Therefore imposition of such new and far-reaching requirements on already heavily regulated companies so hard hit by recession and regulation, but also who are achieving great progress in S&H, could force some companies to reach a tipping point…risking more job losses etc.</span></div><div class="ecxMsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="ecxMsoNormal"><span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt;">Despite Ranking GOP member Kline (R-MN) remarks in his opening statement that the Republicans want the bill focused on worst offenders, there is no specific roll call vote to show bipartisan support for the carve-out in the Chairman’s mark. Democrats on the Committee have thus far have opposed GOP attempts to remove OSHA from the bill. </span></div><div class="ecxMsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="ecxMsoNormal"><span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt;">We will issue a press release after the Committee completes its voting.</span></div><div class="ecxMsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="ecxMsoNormal"><span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt;">Best regards and congratulations on your leadership, Joy</span></div><div class="ecxMsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="ecxMsoNormal"><span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 7.5pt;">Jennifer Joy Wilson, President and CEO</span></div><div class="ecxMsoNormal"><span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 7.5pt;">National Stone, Sand and Gravel Association</span></div><div class="ecxMsoNormal"><span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 7.5pt;">1605 King Street, Alexandria, Virginia 22314</span></div><div class="ecxMsoNormal"><span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 7.5pt;">(703) 525-8788 - ph; (703) 525-7782 - fx</span></div><div class="ecxMsoNormal"><a href="http://www.nssga.org/" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 7.5pt;">www.nssga.org</span></a><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 7.5pt;"><span style="font-size: large;">For actual voting HR 5663 voting records: </span></span><br />
<a href="http://edlabor.house.gov/markups/2010/07/miner-safety-and-health-act-of.shtml">HR 5663 Voting Records</a><span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 7.5pt;"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 7.5pt;"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></span></div>La Pine Redi Mix, Inc.http://www.blogger.com/profile/11461731568253083399noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6391323105131650335.post-90794953429631298532010-07-22T05:53:00.000-07:002010-07-29T06:37:33.028-07:00Links to Recent Articles on MSHA and Dept. of Labor:<a href="http://edlabor.house.gov/markups/2010/07/miner-safety-and-health-act-of.shtml">HR 5663 Voting Details </a> <br />
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<a href="http://blogs.wvgazette.com/coaltattoo/2010/07/22/under-joe-main-msha-halts-pattern-of-violations-reviews-to-find-renegade-coal-mine-operators/">West Virginia Gazette Blog: Pattern of Violations</a><br />
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<a href="http://ohsonline.com/articles/2010/07/19/mine-safety-training-grants-offered.aspx?admgarea=news">MSHA Grant Money Available </a><br />
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<a href="http://www.whitehouse.gov/blog/2010/07/16/focus-workplace-safety">Joe Biden/Joe Main: Focus on Workplace Safety</a>La Pine Redi Mix, Inc.http://www.blogger.com/profile/11461731568253083399noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6391323105131650335.post-37722235638148221232010-07-13T09:11:00.001-07:002010-07-22T06:39:32.564-07:00HR 5663 Hearing Info:<i><span style="font-size: large;">On July 13, 2010, the Dept. of Labor began holding hearings on HR 5663. On July 21, 2010, the bill was voted on. One important thing decided was that the new changes apply <b>only</b> to underground coal mines. Metal/Non-Metal and surface mines were excluded.</span></i><br />
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<b><i><span style="font-size: large;">Here is the link to the results:</span></i></b><br />
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<i><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://edlabor.house.gov/markups/2010/07/miner-safety-and-health-act-of.shtml">HR 5663 Votes and Results</a></span></i><br />
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<ul id="amendmentlist"><span class="webcast">
<li class="amendment" id="amendment_01"> <a href="http://edlabor.house.gov/documents/111/pdf/markup/FC/HR5663-MinerSafetyandHealthActof2010/MillerSubstitute.pdf">Amendment #1 to H.R. 5663 by Mr. Miller (CA)</a><br />
Passed by voice vote </li>
<li class="amendment" id="amendment_02"> <a href="http://edlabor.house.gov/documents/111/pdf/markup/FC/HR5663-MinerSafetyandHealthActof2010/KlineAmendment.pdf">Amendment # 2 to H.R. 5663 by Mr. Kline (MN)</a><br />
Defeated 17 to 30 <a href="http://edlabor.house.gov/documents/111/pdf/markup/FC/HR5663-MinerSafetyandHealthActof2010/RollCall1.pdf">Roll Call #1</a> </li>
<li class="amendment" id="amendment_03"> <a href="http://edlabor.house.gov/documents/111/pdf/markup/FC/HR5663-MinerSafetyandHealthActof2010/Shea-PorterAmendment.pdf">Amendment # 3 to H.R. 5663 by Ms. Shea-Porter (NH)</a><br />
Passed by voice vote </li>
<li class="amendment" id="amendment_04"> <a href="http://edlabor.house.gov/documents/111/pdf/markup/FC/HR5663-MinerSafetyandHealthActof2010/McMorrisRodgersAmendment.pdf">Amendment # 4 to H.R. 5663 by Mrs. McMorris Rodgers (WA)</a><br />
Defeated 17 to 30 <a href="http://edlabor.house.gov/documents/111/pdf/markup/FC/HR5663-MinerSafetyandHealthActof2010/RollCall2.pdf">Roll Call #2</a> </li>
<li class="amendment" id="amendment_05"> <a href="http://edlabor.house.gov/documents/111/pdf/markup/FC/HR5663-MinerSafetyandHealthActof2010/WoolseyAmendment.pdf">Amendment # 5 to H.R. 5663 by Ms. Woolsey (CA)</a><br />
Passed by voice vote </li>
<li class="amendment" id="amendment_06"> <a href="http://edlabor.house.gov/documents/111/pdf/markup/FC/HR5663-MinerSafetyandHealthActof2010/PriceAmendment.pdf">Amendment # 6 to H.R. 5663 by Mr. Price (GA)</a><br />
Defeated 17 to 30 <a href="http://edlabor.house.gov/documents/111/pdf/markup/FC/HR5663-MinerSafetyandHealthActof2010/RollCall3.pdf">Roll Call #3</a> </li>
<li class="amendment" id="amendment_07"> <a href="http://edlabor.house.gov/documents/111/pdf/markup/FC/HR5663-MinerSafetyandHealthActof2010/HareAmendment.pdf">Amendment # 7 to H.R. 5663 by Mr. Hare (IL)</a><br />
Passed by voice vote </li>
<li class="amendment" id="amendment_08"> <a href="http://edlabor.house.gov/documents/111/pdf/markup/FC/HR5663-MinerSafetyandHealthActof2010/TitusAmendment.pdf">Amendment # 8 to H.R. 5663 by Ms. Titus (NV)</a><br />
Passed by voice vote </li>
</span></ul><span class="webcast"></span><i><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></i><br />
<i><b><span style="font-size: large;">Before and during the hearing links:</span></b></i><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/bdquery/z?d111:h.r.05663:">HR 5663 Bill and Summary (proposed)</a></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://edlabor.house.gov/hearings/2010/07/hr-5663-miner-safety-and-healt.shtml">HR 5663 Hearings</a></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://workingforsafety.com/2010/07/20/coalition-sends-letter-on-hr-5663-markup/">Letter from CWS Against HR5663</a></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://workingforsafety.com/2010/07/13/cws-testifies-before-house-on-hr-5663-miner-safety-and-health-act-of-2010/">CWS Testifys</a></span>La Pine Redi Mix, Inc.http://www.blogger.com/profile/11461731568253083399noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6391323105131650335.post-39268851483285406992010-07-13T09:10:00.001-07:002010-07-13T09:13:45.088-07:00Thank you to Jim Sharpe from Sharpes Point for the following article:<meta content="text/html; charset=utf-8" http-equiv="Content-Type"></meta><meta content="Word.Document" name="ProgId"></meta><meta content="Microsoft Word 14" name="Generator"></meta><meta content="Microsoft Word 14" name="Originator"></meta><link href="file:///C:%5CUsers%5CKathy%5CAppData%5CLocal%5CTemp%5COICE_AAE8D974-FB44-4933-B5B2-54F14FB57939.0%5Cmsohtmlclip1%5C01%5Cclip_filelist.xml" rel="File-List"></link><link href="file:///C:%5CUsers%5CKathy%5CAppData%5CLocal%5CTemp%5COICE_AAE8D974-FB44-4933-B5B2-54F14FB57939.0%5Cmsohtmlclip1%5C01%5Cclip_themedata.thmx" rel="themeData"></link><link href="file:///C:%5CUsers%5CKathy%5CAppData%5CLocal%5CTemp%5COICE_AAE8D974-FB44-4933-B5B2-54F14FB57939.0%5Cmsohtmlclip1%5C01%5Cclip_colorschememapping.xml" rel="colorSchemeMapping"></link><style>
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><b>Refocus MSHA Priorities, Enzi Tells Solis<o:p></o:p></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">The ranking minority member of MSHA’s oversight committee in the Senate has linked staffing issues at the Agency with recently uncovered training and enforcement program problems and suggested “deficiencies” in staff, training or enforcement may have played a role in the Upper Big Branch-South (UBB) mine disaster.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">Commenting that he was “very concerned about management issues” at MSHA, Sen. Mike Enzi (R-WY) said he believed some of the problems may be associated with a “significant number of senior management positions in the career ranks” being either vacant or staffed by acting personnel. <o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">Enzi, who sits on the Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee, expressed his views in a two-page letter to Labor Secretary Hilda Solis Wednesday.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">Enzi noted that, at the time of the UBB disaster April 5, at least six senior positions were vacant or filled by acting staff, including the Deputy Administrator for Coal and the Coal Division’s Accident Investigation unit supervisor. “With accident investigations involving multiple fatalities ongoing, including that for Upper Big Branch, it is certainly not helpful that there is no permanent supervisor,” Enzi said.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">Enzi also noted that it appeared as though “the entire leadership of the Metal/Non-Metal Division is transitory,” while persons in acting status fill jobs as head of Technical Support and the Solicitor’s Office. Referring to all the staffing positions, Enzi said, “These positions exist so that the Department is able to provide critically important leadership, support and oversight of its field inspection personnel.”<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">Enzi’s letter included an attachment that consisted of MSHA responses to staffing questions senators raised after a hearing in April. MSHA said the Deputy Coal Administrator position has been vacant since November 2008, but is currently held on an acting basis by Charles J. Thomas. A vacancy announcement for the Senior Executive Service (SES) position ended June 1. Coal’s Accident Investigation supervisory post has been vacant since August 2008, and is currently filled by Terry Bentley. No vacancy announcement has been posted. <o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">As Enzi noted, the situation is even worse in M/NM. Besides the Administrator’s job, an SES position being held now in an acting capacity by Neal Merrifield, four other top jobs in the Division are filled by acting personnel: Deputy Administrator, Mike Hancher; Accident Investigation unit supervisor, Michael Franklin; Chief of Health, Chris Findlay; and Management Office director, Christine Mayhugh. <o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">Merrifield’s position has been vacant since January 2010, the opening has been posted, and MSHA is currently reviewed qualified applicants, MSHA said. <o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">The Acting Director of Tech Support is Linda Zeiler. The SES position has been vacant for a year, and no vacancy announcement has been posted. Heidi Strassler fills the top position in an acting capacity in mine safety and health in the Office of the Solicitor. <o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">In addition, although unmentioned in Enzi’s letter, Michael Schimmenti has stepped in as acting Director of Administration and Management, a position lacking a permanent director since February 2009. A panel is currently reviewing applicants for the SES position, MSHA said in its response to lawmakers. Other top-level acting positions include Pete Montali in the Office of Accountability and Tom Kessler in Educational Policy and Development.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">In addition, the crucial No. 3 job at the Agency, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Operations, also remains unfilled since the position was vacated by Mike Davis April 30. Jeff Duncan fills in as acting Chief of Staff. “[T]he agency’s short staffing is an issue the Committee has to review,” Enzi said.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><b>Linkage to Critical Reviews<o:p></o:p></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">Enzi suggested the staffing issues may be linked to two recent reports by the Labor Department’s Inspector General (IG) critical of inspector training and the management of the Agency’s pattern of violation (POV) enforcement weapon. He also suggested a possible linkage with UBB. He asked Solis to direct the internal review team investigating MSHA’s role in the tragedy “to consider whether any of these deficiencies may have played a role in MSHA”s inability to detect or prevent the problems that led to the tragedy at Upper Big Branch.”<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">The training audit, released in March, revealed that 56% of 102 inspectors the audit team interviewed had not completed MSHA’s required training during the fiscal year 2006-07 training cycle, and that the Agency lacked controls to track and assure completion of such training. <o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">Preliminary findings from an audit of the POV program, released last week, found that the Agency had dropped nine West Virginia coal mines from its potential POV list in March 2009 due to “resource constraints.” The audit was requested by several lawmakers after <i>Sharpe’s Point</i> pointed out that UBB had met MSHA’s criteria for inclusion on the potential POV list during the fall 2009 cycle. MSHA agreed, but attributed the mine’s exclusion to a “computer glitch,” a determination that aroused lawmakers’ concern.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">The senator called on Solis to commit to remedying the training issues and to fill the empty staff positions with qualified career personnel. He asked for an update on the current staffing situation and monthly status reports.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">Enzi also raised concern about “MSHA’s overall priorities” in light of the staffing, training and enforcement matters. He noted that MSHA, in hearings and Capitol Hill staff briefings, had suggested it was developing a list of recommended legislative changes. “While I appreciate the input,” Enzi told Solis, “I believe MSHA should currently be focusing on fulfilling its existing obligations using its existing authority . . .”<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">On Tuesday, the House Committee on Education and Labor released a 70-page mine reform bill that appeared to include many of the legislative priorities the Agency is seeking.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Copyright 2010, Sharpe Media, LLC. All Rights Reserved.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://www.sharpespoint.com/portal/">Sharpe's Point.com</a></div>La Pine Redi Mix, Inc.http://www.blogger.com/profile/11461731568253083399noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6391323105131650335.post-65478693854431481552010-07-08T18:56:00.000-07:002010-07-08T18:56:05.712-07:00MSHA SMO Workshop:<div class="ecxMsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">Mine Operators,</span></span></div><div class="ecxMsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="ecxMsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">The Small Mine Office of MSHA will be providing a workshop geared toward improving contractor safety and compliance at mine sites. Please pass the attached information on to your contractors and encourage them to enroll in the workshop on August 31<sup>st</sup> in Wilsonville, Oregon at the Associated General Contractors building. If your mine would like a compliance visit from the Small Mine Office, respond to this email and I will give you a call to schedule an appointment. </span></span></div><div class="ecxMsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="ecxMsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">Thank you,</span></span></div><div class="ecxMsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="ecxMsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">Evan Church</span></span></div><div class="ecxMsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">MSHA-SMO</span></span></div><div class="ecxMsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">1815 14th Street, S.E.</span></span><span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">Albany</span></span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">, OR 97321</span></span><span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">Telephone: (541) 270-4878</span></span></div><div class="ecxMsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">Fax: (541) 924-8499</span></span></div>La Pine Redi Mix, Inc.http://www.blogger.com/profile/11461731568253083399noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6391323105131650335.post-32803369522936865322010-07-04T12:52:00.000-07:002010-07-24T09:43:00.276-07:00Thank you to Genoa Ingram and NSSGA for this important info:<div class="ecxMsoNormal"><img alt="TAKE ACTION!" height="66" id="ecx_x0000_i1025" src="http://ffs.capwiz.com/img/sc/061masthead.jpg" width="400" /></div><br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="ecxMsoNormal"><b>CongressionalDemocrats Introduce Partisan Mine Safety Legislation; </b><br />
<b>Bill Would Lump Aggregates Operations In With Coal Mine </b></div><div align="right" class="ecxactionlink" style="text-align: right;"><u><span style="color: blue;"><a href="http://capwiz.com/nssga/utr/1/GREYMVQJLI/DGSAMVQJRP/5465052921" target="_blank"><br />
</a></span></u></div><br />
<div class="ecxMsoNormal">- Plan To Rush The Bill Through The House Before End Of July -</div><br />
<div class="ecxMsoNormal"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><br />
<div><div class="ecxMsoNormal"><span style="font-size: small;">Partisan mine safety legislation entitled the "Miner Safety and </span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">Health Act of 2010," H.R. 5663, was introduced on July 1 by </span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">House Education and Labor Committee Chairman <b>George Miller</b> </span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">(D-CA) and 17 Democratic co-sponsors (see below for complete list.) </span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">This bill makes no distinction between aggregates and the coal industry, </span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">posing a significant threat to our industry, which has shown a consistently </span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">improving safety record and a strong commitment to the safety of our employees.</span></div></div><div><div class="ecxMsoNormal"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div></div><div><div class="ecxMsoNormal"><span style="font-size: small;">Companion legislation from Senate Health, Education, Labor and </span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">Pensions (HELP) Committee Chairman <b>Tom Harkin</b> (D-IA), </span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">Senators <b>Patty Murray</b> (D-WA) and <b>Jay Rockefeller</b> (D-WV) </span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">is anticipated. Senate HELP Committee members <b> </b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><b>Mike Enzi</b> (R-WY) and <b>Johnny Isakson</b> (R-GA) issued a </span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">statement protesting that mine safety, traditionally a bipartisan goal, </span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">has become partisan with Republicans shut out of discussions. </span></div></div><div><div class="ecxMsoNormal"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div></div><div><div class="ecxMsoNormal"><span style="font-size: small;">The House Education and Labor Committee plans a <b><u>July 13</u></b> hearing </span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">on the legislation and a <b><u>July 15</u></b> markup of the bill. This indicates the </span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">intent to rush this to a House floor vote sometime the following week </span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">before the House leaves for the August congressional recess.</span></div></div><div><div class="ecxMsoNormal"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div></div><div><div class="ecxMsoNormal"><span style="font-size: small;"><b><u>BACKGROUND:</u></b></span></div></div><div><div class="ecxMsoNormal"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div></div><div><div class="ecxMsoNormal"><span style="font-size: small;">Following the tragic coal mine disaster in West Virginia on April 5th, </span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">the Executive Branch response, led by President Obama, has been that </span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">accountability is needed of both mine operators and the government. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">The president has stated that he looks forward to a full investigation </span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">of the disaster and (recognizing the pointed criticism that's been leveled </span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">at MSHA) he wants a review of the agency's operations. Click for full text <a href="http://capwiz.com/nssga/utr/1/GREYMVQJLI/KXACMVQJRQ/5465052921" target="_blank" title="http://www.nssga.org/communications/Obamatext.pdf">here</a></span><span style="font-size: small;">.</span></div></div><div><div class="ecxMsoNormal"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div></div><div><div class="ecxMsoNormal"><span style="font-size: small;">On Capitol Hill, both the House and Senate held hearings on mine </span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">safety pursuant to the West Virginia tragedy and NSSGA submitted </span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">statements for the record. NSSGA continues to meet with members </span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">of Congress and has been engaged in other efforts to impress upon </span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">them the differences between coal and aggregates production.</span></div></div><div><div class="ecxMsoNormal"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div></div><div><div class="ecxMsoNormal"><span style="font-size: small;">Preliminary review of the "discussion draft" of this bill suggests it is </span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">wrong-headed legislation in many ways - so much so that, despite all </span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">sympathies that we share for the victims of the West Virginia coal mine </span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">disaster and their families, this bill must not be enacted into law in its </span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">current form. It is clear that this sweeping measure would, if enacted, </span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">pose a substantial threat to aggregates operators that could <b><u> </u></b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><b><u>close facilities, bankrupt companies and even send corporate </u></b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><b><u>officers to jail</u>.</b> While the measure was described in benign terms as </span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">targeting "recidivist offenders" of mine safety rules, this bill as introduced </span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">will hit <b><i>all</i> </b>operators very hard.</span></div></div><div><div class="ecxMsoNormal"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div></div><div><div class="ecxMsoNormal"><span style="font-size: small;"><b><u>Among the most serious provisions are the following: </u></b></span></div></div><span style="font-size: small;">Overhaul of the pattern of violations to clarify ambiguity and to ensure </span><span style="font-size: small;"> </span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">that the nation's most dangerous mine operations improve safety dramatically</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"> is laudable, but the pattern system contained in this bill is vague, penalties </span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">are doubled while a mine is on pattern status; the language states that - once </span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">a mine is placed on pattern - the entire mine would be shut down until it complies </span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">with an MSHA remediation order. </span><span style="font-size: small;"> </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;">The expansion of the definition of Significant and Substantial (S&S) to be </span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">applicable "if there is a reasonable possibility that such violation could result in </span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">injury, illness, or death" eliminates the requirement that an S&S violation </span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">be of a "reasonably serious nature" and could render most violations as warranting</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"> S&S classification.</span> <span style="font-size: small;"> </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;">Increases in maximum criminal and civil penalties, e.g., maximum civil penalty </span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">for S&S increases to $150,000. </span> <span style="font-size: small;"> </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;">Reduces the threshold for criminal liability from "willful" to "knowing;" </span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">this is not defined and a first violation is now a felony; advance notice of inspections </span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">would become a felony.</span> <span style="font-size: small;"> </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;">Charges pre-judgment interest (rather than escrow payments) for challenged </span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">citations.</span> <span style="font-size: small;"> </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;">Provides for injunctive relief allowing the Secretary of Labor to close a facility </span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">if he or she determines there is "a course of conduct that in the judgment of the </span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">Secretary constitutes a continuing hazard to the Health or Safety of miners,</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"> including violations of this Act or of mandatory Health and Safety standards </span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">or regulations under this Act."</span> <span style="font-size: small;"> </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;">Expands Section 110(c) provisions dealing with personal liability to any officers, </span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">directors and agents of the company.</span><br />
<ul type="disc"></ul><div><div class="ecxMsoNormal"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div></div><div><div class="ecxMsoNormal"><span style="font-size: small;"><b><u>TAKE ACTION:</u></b></span></div></div><div><div class="ecxMsoNormal"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div></div><div class="ecxMsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Visit NSSGA's </b><b><a href="http://capwiz.com/nssga/utr/1/GREYMVQJLI/KRCPMVQJRR/5465052921" target="_blank">Legislative Action Center</a></b><b> and find out how you can </b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><b>connect with your members of Congress at their state and district offices!</b></span><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></div><div><div class="ecxMsoNormal"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div></div><div><div class="ecxMsoNormal"><span style="font-size: small;">Please make every effort possible to meet with or call your members of Congress </span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">during the Fourth of July recess as this legislation is likely to reach the House </span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">floor quickly. Tell them:</span></div></div><div><div class="ecxMsoNormal"><br />
<i><b><span style="font-size: small;">"One size does not fit all" when it comes to mine safety;</span> <span style="font-size: small;"> </span></b></i><br />
<br />
<i><b><span style="font-size: small;">The aggregates industry has a decade's worth of demonstrated </span></b></i><br />
<i><b><span style="font-size: small;">commitment to safety;</span> <span style="font-size: small;"> </span></b></i><br />
<br />
<i><b><span style="font-size: small;">The industry has a very good safety record;</span> <span style="font-size: small;"> </span></b></i><br />
<br />
<i><b><span style="font-size: small;">Dramatic increases in penalty assessments just four years </span></b></i><br />
<i><b><span style="font-size: small;">after passage of the MINER Act will likely have the effect of </span></b></i><br />
<i><b><span style="font-size: small;">under-cutting work towards safety in the workplace; and</span> <span style="font-size: small;"> </span></b></i><br />
<br />
<i><b><span style="font-size: small;">The additional regulatory burdens requiring a focus on items </span></b></i><br />
<i><b><span style="font-size: small;">that won't necessarily improve safety might actually make operations </span></b></i><br />
<i><b><span style="font-size: small;">less safe, not more, for our industry's employees. </span></b></i></div></div><ul type="disc"></ul><div><div class="ecxMsoNormal"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div></div><div><div class="ecxMsoNormal"><span style="font-size: small;">On April 8, Past NSSGA Chairman Louis Griesemer of Springfield </span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">Underground was interviewed by his local NBC News affiliate and he </span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">did an exemplary job of stating the aggregates industry's case </span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">effectively and convincingly. Please click on the following link to view Louis' </span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">interview at <a href="http://capwiz.com/nssga/utr/1/GREYMVQJLI/FRNHMVQJRS/5465052921" target="_blank" title="http://www.ky3.com/news/local/90317357.html">http://www.ky3.com/news/local/90317357.html</a></span><span style="font-size: small;">.</span></div></div><div><div class="ecxMsoNormal"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div></div><div align="center" class="ecxMsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div class="ecxMsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>NATIONAL STONE, SAND & GRAVEL </b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><b>ASSOCIATION FACT SHEET</b></span></div><div class="ecxMsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div class="ecxMsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b><u>How Underground Aggregates (Stone) Mines </u></b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><b><u>Differ from Other Underground Mines</u></b></span></div><div align="center" class="ecxMsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div><div class="ecxMsoNormal"><span style="font-size: small;">NOTE: Of the more than 10,000 aggregates facilities nationwide, </span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">only about one percent operate underground.</span><span style="font-size: small;"> </span><br />
<br />
<i><span style="font-size: small;">Extracted aggregate product is non-combustible and non-flammable;</span><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></i><br />
<br />
<i><span style="font-size: small;">No flammable gases such as methane are present;</span><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></i><br />
<br />
<i><span style="font-size: small;">Most underground aggregate facilities are only a few hundred feet deep;</span><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></i><br />
<br />
<i><span style="font-size: small;">The stable geologic formations result in a minimized need for additional </span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-size: small;">roof supports;</span><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></i><br />
<br />
<i><span style="font-size: small;">MSHA-approved (permissible) equipment is not required in stone facilities </span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-size: small;">such that automobiles, haul trucks and loaders can be used;</span><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></i><br />
<br />
<i><span style="font-size: small;">Extraction methods create large open spaces for easy access by oversized </span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-size: small;">mobile equipment;</span><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></i><br />
<br />
<i><span style="font-size: small;">Large mine openings accommodate emergency equipment used by outside </span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-size: small;">emergency services;</span><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></i><br />
<br />
<i><span style="font-size: small;">Increased ventilation due to large open spaces and different geology eliminates </span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-size: small;">combustible dust potential;</span><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></i><br />
<br />
<i><span style="font-size: small;">No rail man-ways or vertical man-lifts are needed to transport employees </span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-size: small;">to/from working face of mine; standard modes of wheeled transportation apply</span><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></i><br />
<br />
<i><span style="font-size: small;">Emergency escape and access is easier because of larger spaces in facility;</span><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></i><br />
<br />
<i><span style="font-size: small;">Minimal need for certified mine rescue teams because local fire departments, </span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-size: small;">or emergency services, are able to respond; </span><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></i><br />
<br />
<i><span style="font-size: small;">Due to size of large open spaces, mining methods do not require </span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-size: small;">remote-controlled operation of mining equipment;</span><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></i><br />
<br />
<i><span style="font-size: small;">Mechanical mine ventilation usually not required or is minimal; </span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-size: small;">natural ventilation works well. </span></i></div></div><ul type="disc"></ul><ul type="disc"></ul><ul type="disc"></ul><ul type="disc"></ul><ul type="disc"></ul><ul type="disc"></ul><ul type="disc"></ul><ul type="disc"></ul><ul type="disc"></ul><ul type="disc"></ul><ul type="disc"></ul><ul type="disc"></ul><ul type="disc"></ul><div><div class="ecxMsoNormal"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div></div><div class="ecxMsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b><u>List of House Co-Sponsors of H.R. 5663 - </u></b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><b><u>"Miner Safety and Health Act of 2010"</u></b></span></div><div class="ecxMsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div class="ecxMsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://www.blogger.com/post-edit.g?blogID=6391323105131650335&postID=3280336952293686532" target="_blank" title="outbind://11/cgi-bin/bdquery/?&Db=d111&querybd=@FIELD(FLD004+@4((@1(Rep+Andrews++Robert+E.))+00021))">Rep Andrews, Robert E.</a></span><span style="font-size: small;"> [D-NJ-1]<a href="http://www.blogger.com/post-edit.g?blogID=6391323105131650335&postID=3280336952293686532" target="_blank" title="outbind://11/cgi-bin/bdquery/?&Db=d111&querybd=@FIELD(FLD004+@4((@1(Rep+Bishop++Timothy+H.))+01740))">Rep Bishop, Timothy H.</a></span><span style="font-size: small;"> [D-NY-1] </span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://www.blogger.com/post-edit.g?blogID=6391323105131650335&postID=3280336952293686532" target="_blank" title="outbind://11/cgi-bin/bdquery/?&Db=d111&querybd=@FIELD(FLD004+@4((@1(Rep+Clarke++Yvette+D.))+01864))">Rep Clarke, Yvette D.</a></span><span style="font-size: small;"> [D-NY-11]<a href="http://www.blogger.com/post-edit.g?blogID=6391323105131650335&postID=3280336952293686532" target="_blank" title="outbind://11/cgi-bin/bdquery/?&Db=d111&querybd=@FIELD(FLD004+@4((@1(Rep+Courtney++Joe))+01836))">Rep Courtney, Joe</a></span><span style="font-size: small;"> [D-CT-2] </span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://www.blogger.com/post-edit.g?blogID=6391323105131650335&postID=3280336952293686532" target="_blank" title="outbind://11/cgi-bin/bdquery/?&Db=d111&querybd=@FIELD(FLD004+@4((@1(Rep+Grijalva++Raul+M.))+01708))">Rep Grijalva, Raul M.</a></span><span style="font-size: small;"> [D-AZ-7]<a href="http://www.blogger.com/post-edit.g?blogID=6391323105131650335&postID=3280336952293686532" target="_blank" title="outbind://11/cgi-bin/bdquery/?&Db=d111&querybd=@FIELD(FLD004+@4((@1(Rep+Hare++Phil))+01849))">Rep Hare, Phil</a></span><span style="font-size: small;"> [D-IL-17] </span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://www.blogger.com/post-edit.g?blogID=6391323105131650335&postID=3280336952293686532" target="_blank" title="outbind://11/cgi-bin/bdquery/?&Db=d111&querybd=@FIELD(FLD004+@4((@1(Rep+Hirono++Mazie+K.))+01844))">Rep Hirono, Mazie K.</a></span><span style="font-size: small;"> [D-HI-2]<a href="http://www.blogger.com/post-edit.g?blogID=6391323105131650335&postID=3280336952293686532" target="_blank" title="outbind://11/cgi-bin/bdquery/?&Db=d111&querybd=@FIELD(FLD004+@4((@1(Rep+Holt++Rush+D.))+01580))">Rep Holt, Rush D.</a></span><span style="font-size: small;"> [D-NJ-12] </span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://www.blogger.com/post-edit.g?blogID=6391323105131650335&postID=3280336952293686532" target="_blank" title="outbind://11/cgi-bin/bdquery/?&Db=d111&querybd=@FIELD(FLD004+@4((@1(Rep+Kildee++Dale+E.))+00631))">Rep Kildee, Dale E.</a></span><span style="font-size: small;"> [D-MI-5] Rep. Miller, George [D-CA-7] </span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://www.blogger.com/post-edit.g?blogID=6391323105131650335&postID=3280336952293686532" target="_blank" title="outbind://11/cgi-bin/bdquery/?&Db=d111&querybd=@FIELD(FLD004+@4((@1(Rep+Mollohan++Alan+B.))+00824))">Rep Mollohan, Alan B.</a></span><span style="font-size: small;"> [D-WV-1]<a href="http://www.blogger.com/post-edit.g?blogID=6391323105131650335&postID=3280336952293686532" target="_blank" title="outbind://11/cgi-bin/bdquery/?&Db=d111&querybd=@FIELD(FLD004+@4((@1(Rep+Pierluisi++Pedro+R.))+01953))">Rep Pierluisi, Pedro R.</a></span><span style="font-size: small;"> [D-PR] </span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://www.blogger.com/post-edit.g?blogID=6391323105131650335&postID=3280336952293686532" target="_blank" title="outbind://11/cgi-bin/bdquery/?&Db=d111&querybd=@FIELD(FLD004+@4((@1(Rep+Rahall++Nick+J.++II))+00940))">Rep Rahall, Nick J., II</a></span><span style="font-size: small;"> [D-WV-3]<a href="http://www.blogger.com/post-edit.g?blogID=6391323105131650335&postID=3280336952293686532" target="_blank" title="outbind://11/cgi-bin/bdquery/?&Db=d111&querybd=@FIELD(FLD004+@4((@1(Rep+Sestak++Joe))+01874))">Rep Sestak, Joe</a></span><span style="font-size: small;"> [D-PA-7] </span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://www.blogger.com/post-edit.g?blogID=6391323105131650335&postID=3280336952293686532" target="_blank" title="outbind://11/cgi-bin/bdquery/?&Db=d111&querybd=@FIELD(FLD004+@4((@1(Rep+Shea-Porter++Carol))+01861))">Rep Shea-Porter, Carol</a></span><span style="font-size: small;"> [D-NH-1]<a href="http://www.blogger.com/post-edit.g?blogID=6391323105131650335&postID=3280336952293686532" target="_blank" title="outbind://11/cgi-bin/bdquery/?&Db=d111&querybd=@FIELD(FLD004+@4((@1(Rep+Shuler++Heath))+01859))">Rep Shuler, Heath</a></span><span style="font-size: small;"> [D-NC-11] </span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://www.blogger.com/post-edit.g?blogID=6391323105131650335&postID=3280336952293686532" target="_blank" title="outbind://11/cgi-bin/bdquery/?&Db=d111&querybd=@FIELD(FLD004+@4((@1(Rep+Sutton++Betty))+01870))">Rep Sutton, Betty</a></span><span style="font-size: small;"> [D-OH-13]<a href="http://www.blogger.com/post-edit.g?blogID=6391323105131650335&postID=3280336952293686532" target="_blank" title="outbind://11/cgi-bin/bdquery/?&Db=d111&querybd=@FIELD(FLD004+@4((@1(Rep+Woolsey++Lynn+C.))+01242))">Rep Woolsey, Lynn C.</a></span><span style="font-size: small;"> [D-CA-6]</span></div>La Pine Redi Mix, Inc.http://www.blogger.com/profile/11461731568253083399noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6391323105131650335.post-81094474013102132012010-07-04T12:49:00.001-07:002010-07-04T12:49:35.227-07:00<span style="font-weight: bold;">____________________________________________</span><br />
<span class="widget-item-control"> <span class="item-control blog-admin"> <a class="quickedit" href="http://www.blogger.com/rearrange?blogID=8164719081752488508&widgetType=Text&widgetId=Text8&action=editWidget" onclick="return
_WidgetManager._PopupConfig(document.getElementById("Text8"));" target="configText8" title="Edit"> <img alt="" height="18" src="http://img1.blogblog.com/img/icon18_wrench_allbkg.png" width="18" /> </a> </span> </span> <!-- google_ad_section_start(name=default) --> <h2 class="date-header"><span>Sunday, July 4, 2010</span></h2><a href="" name="4742569057292994338"></a> <h3 class="post-title entry-title"> <a href="http://oregonindependentaggregateassociation.blogspot.com/2010/07/new-propsed-legislation-coming-up.html">New Propsed Legislation Coming Up IMMEDIATELY:</a> </h3><div class="post-header"> </div><div class="post-body entry-content"> <u>First Glimpse of Mine Safety Bill Discussion Draft Poses Challenge </u><br />
After initial review of the discussion draft of Mine Safety legislation unveiled Tuesday in the House Committee on Education and Labor, it is clear that this wide-ranging measure would, if enacted, pose substantial challenges to aggregates operators. NSSGA has learned that a Committee<span style="color: navy;"> </span>hearing will be held shortly after the July 4<sup>th</sup> recess. Following that, a mark-up (or vote) will be held, and the bill could proceed to the House floor as early as late July. While the measure was described as targeting recidivist offenders of mine safety rules….this draft bill looks like it will hit all operators very hard. <br />
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Among the most serious provisions are the following:<br />
<br />
- Overhaul of the pattern of violations to clarify ambiguity and to ensure that the nation’s most dangerous mine operations improve safety dramatically but pattern system is vague, penalties are doubled while mine is on pattern status; the language states that – once a mine is placed on pattern – the entire mine would be shut down until it complies with an MSHA remediation order. <br />
<br />
- Extension of subpoena power to “any of the functions under this Act;” no criteria or limitations for use of subpoena power.<br />
<br />
- Expansion of the definition of S&S to apply “if there is a reasonable possibility that such violation could result in injury, illness, or death;” this eliminates the requirement that an S&S violation be of a “reasonably serious nature;” this could render most violations as warranting S&S classification.<br />
<br />
- General prohibition that attorneys used by operators for defense against alleged violations from being used by operator company employees, as well.<br />
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- Requirement that operators include contractors in injury and illness reports.<br />
<br />
- Increases in maximum criminal and civil penalties, e.g., maximum civil penalty for S&S increases to $150,000. <br />
<br />
- Reduction in the threshold for criminal liability from “willful” to “knowing;” this is not defined, first violation is now a felony, advance notice of inspections would be become a felony.<br />
<br />
- Increases MSHA’s accountability by requiring an independent investigation of accidents in which three or more miners die; also it would require pre-shift reviews of conditions and communications to ensure that appropriate safety information is transmitted.<br />
<br />
<br />
- Increases in penalties for retaliation against whistleblowers.<br />
<br />
- Charge of pre-judgment interest (rather than escrow payments) for challenged citations.<br />
<br />
- Provision of injunctive relief for a “continuing hazard.”<br />
<br />
- Expansion of Section 110 © provisions dealing with personal liability to any officers, directors and agents of the company.<br />
<br />
While NSSGA looks to soon provide further reporting and analysis of the potential impacts of the bill, we also welcome any comments or technical analysis that individual members would like to share as soon as possible. I can be reached at (703) 526-1074 / <a href="mailto:jcasper@nssga.org"><span style="color: windowtext;">jcasper@nssga.org</span></a>. However, in the wake of the April 5 coal disaster that spawned this action, it’s difficult to envision a way in which this vehicle could foster further improvements in aggregates industry worker safety and health. <br />
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</div><div class="ecxMsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt;">Joseph S. Casper</span></b></div><div class="ecxMsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt;">Vice President, Safety Services</span></b></div><div class="ecxMsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt;">National Stone, Sand & Gravel Association</span></b></div><div class="ecxMsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt;">1605 King Street</span></b></div><div class="ecxMsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt;">Alexandria, Virginia 22314</span></b></div><div class="ecxMsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt;">(703) 526-1074</span></b></div><div class="ecxMsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt;">(703) 525-7782 (fax) </span></b></div><div class="ecxMsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt;"><a href="http://www.nssga.org/" target="_blank"><span style="color: windowtext;">www.nssga.org</span></a></span></b></div></div><div class="post-footer-line post-footer-line-1"><span class="post-author vcard"> Posted by <span class="fn">Oregon Independent Aggregate Association</span> </span> <span class="post-timestamp"> at <a class="timestamp-link" href="http://oregonindependentaggregateassociation.blogspot.com/2010/07/new-propsed-legislation-coming-up.html" rel="bookmark" title="permanent link"><abbr class="published" title="2010-07-04T12:46:00-07:00">12:46 PM</abbr></a> </span> <span class="post-icons"> <span class="item-control blog-admin pid-1311852149"> <a href="http://www.blogger.com/post-edit.g?blogID=8164719081752488508&postID=4742569057292994338" title="Edit Post"> <img alt="" class="icon-action" height="18" src="http://img2.blogblog.com/img/icon18_edit_allbkg.gif" width="18" /></a><a href="http://www.blogger.com/post-edit.g?blogID=8164719081752488508&postID=4742569057292994338" title="Edit Post"> </a> </span> </span> </div>La Pine Redi Mix, Inc.http://www.blogger.com/profile/11461731568253083399noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6391323105131650335.post-6168845456851207412010-06-29T10:53:00.001-07:002010-06-29T10:53:35.129-07:00News from MSHA's Neal Merrifield:<div class="ecxMsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">MSHA is taking a number of steps to address consistency related to compliance and policy concerns at Metal/Non-Metal (M/NM) mines. A new section of our website, <i><u>Compliance and Policy Updates</u>, </i><a href="http://www.msha.gov/SiteIndex/MNMSiteIndex.asp" target="_blank">http://www.msha.gov/SiteIndex/MNMSiteIndex.asp</a> has been established to address compliance and policy issues. To date we have placed two new documents:</div><div class="ecxdefault"><br />
</div><div class="ecxdefault"><span style="color: windowtext; font-family: 'Calibri','sans-serif';">1 - “Guarding Conveyor Belts at Metal and Nonmetal Mines”. This guide supplements existing guarding guidance contained in "MSHA's Guide to Equipment Guarding" issued in 2004, and in MSHA’s existing Program Policy Manual. A PowerPoint (.PPT) version of the presentation is attached – please note that explanatory notes are provided for almost every slide. In addition, a link to a .PDF version of the same presentation can be found on MSHA’s website; a link follows: </span><span style="color: #1f497d; font-family: 'Calibri','sans-serif';"><a href="http://www.msha.gov/Accident_Prevention/EquipmentGuardingConveyorBelts2010.pdf" target="_blank">http://www.msha.gov/Accident_Prevention/EquipmentGuardingConveyorBelts2010.pdf</a> </span></div><div class="ecxdefault"><br />
</div><div class="ecxdefault"><span style="color: windowtext; font-family: 'Calibri','sans-serif';">2 - A Program Information Bulletin (PIB) provides information on providing safe means of access, fall prevention, and fall protection to miners operating, conducting maintenance or service activities, or accessing work platforms of self-propelled mobile equipment. A link to its location on MSHA’s website follows: <a href="http://www.msha.gov/REGS/COMPLIAN/Pib/2010/pib10-04.asp" target="_blank">http://www.msha.gov/REGS/COMPLIAN/Pib/2010/pib10-04.asp</a> </span></div><div class="ecxMsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="ecxMsoNormal">Please draw these resources to the attention of other interested parties in the metal and nonmetal mining industry.</div><div class="ecxMsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="ecxMsoNormal">We will place additional documents on this site as compliance and policy questions arise. In order to keep up to date on any new postings please sign up for email notification at<span style="color: #1f497d;"> <a href="http://www.msha.gov/subscriptions/subscribe.aspx" target="_blank">http://www.msha.gov/subscriptions/subscribe.aspx</a>. </span></div><div class="ecxMsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="ecxMsoNormal">Neal Merrifield</div>La Pine Redi Mix, Inc.http://www.blogger.com/profile/11461731568253083399noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6391323105131650335.post-15497532215024431162010-06-23T06:44:00.000-07:002010-06-23T06:44:05.082-07:00Link to June 2010 Aggregates Manager Srttcle on MSHA Audit:<div class="date">June 1, 2010 |</div><div class="cat-link"> </div><div class="cat-link"><a \="" href="http://www.aggman.com/category/aggbeat">AggBeat</a> </div><h1 class="title">AggBeat: The heat is on MSHA</h1><span style="font-size: large;"><strong><span>An audit by the Department of Labor’s Office of the Inspector General reveals that 56 percent of ‘experienced’ journeymen MSHA inspectors aren’t trained properly.</span></strong></span><br />
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<strong>By Tina Grady Barbaccia, News and Digital Editor</strong><br />
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<a href="http://www.aggman.com/aggbeat-the-heat-is-on-msha/">http://www.aggman.com/aggbeat-the-heat-is-on-msha/</a>La Pine Redi Mix, Inc.http://www.blogger.com/profile/11461731568253083399noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6391323105131650335.post-59828522049845928752010-06-22T07:27:00.000-07:002010-06-22T07:34:46.805-07:00Citizen Survey Being Considered:<meta content="text/html; charset=utf-8" http-equiv="Content-Type"></meta><meta content="Word.Document" name="ProgId"></meta><meta content="Microsoft Word 12" name="Generator"></meta><meta content="Microsoft Word 12" name="Originator"></meta><link href="file:///C:%5CUsers%5CKathy%5CAppData%5CLocal%5CTemp%5Cmsohtmlclip1%5C01%5Cclip_filelist.xml" rel="File-List"></link><link href="file:///C:%5CUsers%5CKathy%5CAppData%5CLocal%5CTemp%5Cmsohtmlclip1%5C01%5Cclip_editdata.mso" rel="Edit-Time-Data"></link><link href="file:///C:%5CUsers%5CKathy%5CAppData%5CLocal%5CTemp%5Cmsohtmlclip1%5C01%5Cclip_themedata.thmx" rel="themeData"></link><link href="file:///C:%5CUsers%5CKathy%5CAppData%5CLocal%5CTemp%5Cmsohtmlclip1%5C01%5Cclip_colorschememapping.xml" rel="colorSchemeMapping"></link><style>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Oregon Independent Aggregate Association is considering working in collaboration with Washington State University in conducting a citizen survey on MSHA that will include operators from the Pacific Northwest. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">The thought here is that if non-biased professionals put together a report that represents the voices of mine owners and operators, drilling and crushing companies, then perhaps two things will happen: a) MSHA will recognize the areas that need improvement and address them and, b) Our government officials will have hard data describing the problems that we are having with MSHA.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">WSU recently completed a similar survey for the Washington State Patrol, if you would like to view that link: </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Washington State Patrol Citizen Survey <a href="http://www.wsp.wa.gov/publications/reports/citizen07.pdf"><span style="font-size: small;">http://www.wsp.wa.gov/publications/reports/citizen07.pdf</span></a></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Please give your input on this idea by calling the OIAA Board Members at the bottom of the page, or emailing us at: <a href="mailto:OIAA2008@hotmail.com">OIAA2008@hotmail.com</a></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Thank you!</span>La Pine Redi Mix, Inc.http://www.blogger.com/profile/11461731568253083399noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6391323105131650335.post-10580310299280683862010-06-22T07:22:00.000-07:002010-06-22T07:30:39.413-07:00DJC Article by Katie Jeremiah:<div class="article"><h1>Aggregate producers, coal mining companies feel the heat of safety enforcement</h1></div><div class="singlepg"><i>POSTED: Monday, June 21, 2010 at 09:05 AM PT; DJC: <a href="http://djcoregon.com/news/2010/06/21/coal-mining-companies-feel-the-heat-of-safety-enforcement/">http://djcoregon.com/news/2010/06/21/coal-mining-companies-feel-the-heat-of-safety-enforcement/</a> BY: <a href="http://www.blogger.com/news/author/katie.jeremiah">Katie Jeremiah</a></i><br />
<i> </i></div><div class="article"><link href="/wp-content/plugins/dmc_sociable_toolbar/css/plain-buttons.css" media="screen" rel="stylesheet" type="text/css"></link> <br />
<div class="wp-caption alignleft" id="attachment_55312" style="width: 150px;"><a href="http://djcoregon.com/files/2010/06/jeremiahkatie.jpg"><img alt="Katie Jeremiah" class="size-medium wp-image-55312" height="200" src="http://djcoregon.com/files/2010/06/jeremiahkatie.jpg" width="140" /></a> <br />
<div class="wp-caption-text">Katie Jeremiah</div></div><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Regulators are under intense pressure to tighten workplace safety regulations and impose tougher penalties on violators, following several recent fatal coal mine disasters. Tensions are high between industry and lawmakers, as they seek to strike a balance between addressing workplace safety concerns and imposing costly - sometimes economic “death knell” - requirements on contractors in order to encourage workplace safety.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">The Mine Safety and Health Administration has broad jurisdiction, ranging from expansive coal mining operations on the East Coast to small, family-owned gravel quarries in Oregon. Although coal mining in Pennsylvania is dramatically different from aggregate production in Oregon, local operators are subject to the same stringent MSHA regulations.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">But MSHA’s rules offer little guidance to operators. It is impossible to distinguish operational and enforced requirements necessary for compliance in a quarry setting as opposed to subsurface coal mine operations. The lack of specific guidance gives MSHA unfettered discretion to enforce safety rules, which makes citations a near certainty during inspections.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">In addition, operators are concerned that the enforcement climate has become too focused on the quantity and gravity of citations, rather than on a cooperative effort to create safer work environments. They have accused MSHA of operating with performance metrics that include secret enforcement quotas. MSHA denies these allegations.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Fatalities continue to occur despite increases in citations and penalties. Recent data compiled by an Oregon industry group suggests that even with the recent surge in citations since 2006, there has not been an effective or measurable redirection in workplace injuries or fatalities.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">So, how should mine operators comply?</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">MSHA’s penalty structure imposes serious consequences on operators with multiple violations, no matter how trivial each citation may be. Operators must be diligent in their efforts to provide safe workplaces, to comply with current MSHA regulations, and to prepare for a tougher enforcement regime. To avoid the severe civil and criminal penalties imposed by current MSHA regulations and to prepare for reform, operators must:</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">1. Educate workers on MSHA’s “Rules to Live By.” MSHA recently published a new fatality prevention initiative that focuses on 24 frequently cited standards, 13 of which are for metal/nonmetal mining.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">2. Study the MSHA handbook series. Recent citations have been issued in Oregon for violations that may not otherwise fall under the “common sense” test. Operators should study the MSHA handb<a href="http://www.blogger.com/post-create.do" jquery1277216449365="4" name="OLE_LINK3"></a><a href="http://www.blogger.com/post-create.do" jquery1277216449365="5" name="OLE_LINK2">ook series available at www.msha.gov/readroom/handbook/handbook.htm. </a>The handbooks provide specific information that may be used by inspectors to identify MSHA violations in a quarry.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">3. Report accidents to MSHA immediately. Operators who do not notify MSHA of an accident that has “reasonable potential to cause death” can face up to $60,000 in penalties. Train workers on the procedures to call for help and contact MSHA in the event of an emergency.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">4. Give the inspector documents only upon request and a showing that it is required by law. If an inspector requests records, ask which rule requires the document to be produced. Most records do not have to be produced at the inspection, and a reasonable time is allowed for production of documents to MSHA after the inspection. Some records do not have to be produced at all.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">5. Remedy unsafe conditions as soon as they are discovered. Operators face significant penalties for failure to abate a hazard that has been cited by an inspector. Even if a citation is contested, if a subsequent inspection cites the same unsafe conditions, the prior citation will be used to show that the operator was on notice and could provide a basis for an “unwarrantable failure” citation.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">6. Don’t argue with the inspector. An argument with an inspector is ineffective and usually detrimental. An inflamed inspector may increase the gravity of a citation. Always remember that anything people say can and will be used against them in court, while silence is not an admission and can never be used against them. Save arguments for the contest of the citation after legal arguments have been organized.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">7. Don’t lie. Lying provides MSHA with a basis for criminal prosecution. This extends to oral statements as well as falsified documents.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">8. Contest a citation if it is unfounded, no matter how minor the penalty. People have a constitutional right to due process. If there is a valid reason to contest a citation, contest it. Even if the citation involves only a few hundred dollars, it could mean a total mine shutdown if multiple citations are issued over time.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">9. Continue educating workers and site visitors on the law. Make sure every person on the site has access to a copy of the MSHA laws, the MSHA Program policy manual, and the MSHA handbook. Moreover, workers should have a thorough understanding of the standards and how they apply to a worksite.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">With new MSHA reform in the pipeline, it is important to know the current law and how new legislation will impact operations. If a citation is issued on a work site, contact an attorney to discuss options to avoid significant civil and criminal penalties.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><i>Katie Jeremiah is an attorney in Jordan Schrader Ramis’ Dirt Law practice group. She assists clients in matters involving construction and mining law. Contact her at 503-598-5539 or <a href="mailto:katie.jeremiah@jordanschrader.com">katie.jeremiah@jordanschrader.com</a>.</i></span></div>La Pine Redi Mix, Inc.http://www.blogger.com/profile/11461731568253083399noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6391323105131650335.post-24922443275884697392010-06-17T16:13:00.000-07:002010-06-17T16:15:50.299-07:00Important Info:<meta content="text/html; charset=utf-8" http-equiv="Content-Type"></meta><meta content="Word.Document" name="ProgId"></meta><meta content="Microsoft Word 12" name="Generator"></meta><meta content="Microsoft Word 12" name="Originator"></meta><link href="file:///C:%5CUsers%5CKathy%5CAppData%5CLocal%5CTemp%5Cmsohtmlclip1%5C01%5Cclip_filelist.xml" rel="File-List"></link><link href="file:///C:%5CUsers%5CKathy%5CAppData%5CLocal%5CTemp%5Cmsohtmlclip1%5C01%5Cclip_themedata.thmx" rel="themeData"></link><link href="file:///C:%5CUsers%5CKathy%5CAppData%5CLocal%5CTemp%5Cmsohtmlclip1%5C01%5Cclip_colorschememapping.xml" rel="colorSchemeMapping"></link><style>
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 16.2pt;"><b><i><span style="color: #444444;">I received this email from Attorney Katie Jeremiah on June 14<sup>th</sup>. Thank you, Katie, for this valuable information, and the compliments!<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 16.2pt;"><span style="color: #444444;">Hi Kathy,</span><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif";"> <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 16.2pt;"><span style="color: #444444;">I am an attorney at Jordan Schrader Ramis PC and a partner in a drilling/blasting/crushing company out of Eugene (BJ Equipment Co LLC). After seeing my family business tread through the trials and tribulations of MSHA regulation, I am focusing my practice area on MSHA issues that Oregon quarry operators face. </span><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif";"><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 16.2pt;"><span style="color: #444444;">Your website has come up several times in my research, and I just wanted to introduce myself and share some information that I found today that might be useful to share with the visitors on your website.</span><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif";"><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 16.2pt;"><span style="color: #444444;">The biggest frustration I have seen quarry operators have in recent years is the lack of guidance on specific compliance measures that should be taken. MSHA inspectors show up to a site and seem to arbitrarily issue citations and cite guidelines that no one knew existed. </span><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif";"><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 16.2pt;"><span style="color: #444444;">I ran across some handbooks that are somewhat hidden on MSHA's website but provide extremely detailed information on haul road construction, lunchroom facility rules (such as hand washing stations, covered trash receptacles, changing stations, etc), etc. that I never knew existed aside from speaking with people who were cited for violating the rules. It appears that they may be what the inspectors are supposed to use. I may be the last to know about them, but I have never seen them or heard anyone talk about them.</span><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif";"><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 16.2pt;"><span style="color: #444444;">Here is the link: </span><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif";"><a href="http://www.msha.gov/READROOM/HANDBOOK/HANDBOOK.HTM" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">http://www.msha.gov/READROOM/HANDBOOK/HANDBOOK.HTM</span></a> <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 16.2pt;"><span style="color: #444444;">The "PH06-IV-1(1) "Metal and Nonmetal Health Inspection Procedures" within that list has great guidance documents.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #444444;">There is another one on break rooms and toilet facilities: <a href="http://www.msha.gov/READROOM/HANDBOOK/MNMInspChapters/Chapter20.pdf">http://www.msha.gov/READROOM/HANDBOOK/MNMInspChapters/Chapter20.pdf</a></span><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif";"> <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 16.2pt;"><span style="color: #444444;">Thank you for all of the great work on your website!! </span><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif";"><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 16.2pt;"><span style="color: #444444;">-Katie</span><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif";"> <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 16.2pt;"><b><span style="color: #2c8458;">KATIE JEREMIAH</span></b><b><span style="color: #336699;"> </span></b><span style="color: #c1c184;">|</span><span style="color: black;"> Attorney</span><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif";"> <br />
</span><b><span style="color: #2a7e54;">Jordan Schrader Ramis PC</span></b><b><span style="color: #336699;"> </span></b><span style="color: #c1c184;">|</span><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif";"> </span><span style="color: black;">Attorneys at Law</span><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif";">, </span><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Lake Oswego</span><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif";"><br />
</span><span style="color: #444444; font-size: 9pt;">Oregon: (503) 598-7070</span><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 9pt;"> <br />
</span><span style="color: #444444; font-size: 9pt;">Direct Dial: (503) 598-5539</span><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 9pt;"> <br />
</span><span style="color: #444444; font-size: 9pt;">Washington: (360) 567-3900</span><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 9pt;"> <br />
<a href="http://www.jordanschrader.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: grey; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">www.jordanschrader.com</span></a><o:p></o:p></span></div>La Pine Redi Mix, Inc.http://www.blogger.com/profile/11461731568253083399noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6391323105131650335.post-80054717824980431972010-06-10T06:24:00.001-07:002010-06-10T06:27:15.912-07:00MSHA Called Out by Massey:<span style="font-size: large;">Massey claims that MSHA forced them to use inadequate ventilation systems:</span><a href="http://www.publicnewsservice.org/index.php?/content/article/14392-1" style="color: red;"> http://www.publicnewsservice.org/index.php?/content/article/14392-1</a>La Pine Redi Mix, Inc.http://www.blogger.com/profile/11461731568253083399noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6391323105131650335.post-66686400038647725132010-05-18T17:03:00.000-07:002010-05-18T17:03:15.223-07:00"MP Man Arrested at Gunpoint" by Mary Schamehorn, Editor of The Myrle Point Herald:<span style="font-size: large;">"Two men have Francis Schrader at gunpoint."</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">That was the 9-1-1 call that came in shortly before 10 a.m. last Tuesday. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"> </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">When an officer from the Myrtle Point Police Department arrived on the scene at 433 Railroad Avenue, it turned out that the "armed subjects" were agents from the U.S. Marshal's office who were arresting the 65-year old man on outstanding warrants.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">The arrest involved Schrader's failure to appear after being cited for safety violations at his All Coast Concrete rock pit east of Myrtle Point.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"> </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Schrader was taken to federal court in Eugene where he was jailed and later released.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">The first person the Herald spoke with, at the court house in Eugene, said originally it was a civil case, but it became a criminal matter when Schrader failed to appear at the show cause hearing.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"> </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">At his May 4 appearance in federal court, Schrader declined the appointment of counsel, telling the court that he would represent himself.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Reading from the court docket, a spokesman for the U.S. District Clerk's office said "the parties were ordered to confer regarding resolution of proceedings. Following conferral, government agrees to provide defendant with copies of the citations and court-ordered conditions which would allow him to continue to mining (for rock)."</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">A civil case was filed in January for safety violations under the Federal Mine Safety and Health Act. He was given until Tuesday (May 11) to decide whether or not he wants to continue mining and will advise the government by that date of his decision. During the week between May 4 and 11, he agreed not to mine. He was later released on his own recognizance and returned to Myrtle Point. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"> </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">At press time, the Herald had not learn of his decision.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Mike Shimizu, Seattle, regional director of public affairs for the U.S. Labor Department, told the Herald he could not give the paper much information as the case is still "an open investigation."</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"> </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">"It does involve conditions under the Mine Safety and Health Act that he has refused to respond to. Inspectors have been out to his rock pit, and he refused to abate some of the conditions that we cited," Shimizu said. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">He would not confirm if this were a routine inspection or if it came as a result of a complaint.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Schrader told the Hearld that he had "hundreds of pages of tickets. I laughed at them. I got thrown in jail for a few hours. It's the principal of the thing," he said.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">"Are your prepared to die today for your liberties? Several people in Myrtle Point witnessed ...a Gestapo act of terrorism and the kidnapping of an American citizen for a for-profit corporation," Schrader said. See Schrader's letter to the editor below.</span>La Pine Redi Mix, Inc.http://www.blogger.com/profile/11461731568253083399noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6391323105131650335.post-1566797376361682412010-05-18T16:44:00.000-07:002010-05-18T16:44:00.317-07:00"Schrader Describes Arrest for Rock Pit Violations"<span style="font-size: large;">This was a letter to the editor in the Myrtle Point Herald, in the small town of Myrtle Point, Oregon earlier this month, and is written by 65-year-old Francis Schrader, the owner of All Coast Concrete.</span><br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">To the editor:</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">"Are you prepared to die for your liberties? Several people, in Myrtle Point, witnessed, on May 4 at about 10 a.m. a Gestapo act of terrorism and the kidnapping of an American Citizen by a for-profit corporation. The Myrtle Point citizen on the street or near the mini-mart near Railroad Avenue were at risk of being shot or killed during this assault.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"> </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">An American citizen was called three times by phone and lied to on each call. This citizen was told that there had been an accident and damage done to the citizen's parked truck by a man called Jim Roberts. The person on the phone said he got the cell phone number off the door on the damaged truck. He said he had to soon leave town, but wanted to settle the damages first, in cash, and he asked for the citizen to come to the dump truck.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">When the citizen arrived at the dump truck at around 10 a.m., he found no damage and nobody around. He suddenly saw two plainclothes me running toward him from about 150 feet away, yelling, one of which was pointing a revolver in his direction. He was told to get on his hands out of his pockets, turn around, and hands behind his back. The 65-year-old citizen was taken to the pavement by two men in their 30's, from behind, and handcuffed. They refused to give any identification as to who they were. They then began picking up all the papers and personal items that had flown from the citizen's pocket during the attack.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">A neighbor, thinking this was a mugging, robbery, and/or kidnapping, called 9-1-1. The Myrtle Point police officer that arrived on the scene ask them two times while his gun was pointed at them what was going on and who they were. At first they ignored him. At this point, the citizen was in the line of fire. Finally, arrogantly, they replied that they were U.S. Marshals, at which time the Myrtle Point officer forced them to show identification.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"> </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">The guns were lowered and the citizen was hauled to the U.S. District Court in Eugene.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">The people of Myrtle Point were in great danger if shots had been exchanged. The Myrtle Point police officer did a very professional job of protecting the citizen. Thank you. There was no reason to approach the citizen in the manner they did, as he did not even have a traffic ticket on his record!</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"> </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Could this happen to you? This citizen hopes not. When one stands up for what is right and true, the allege government does not like it. Fear is the weapon they use. This citizen is not buying their bullying tactics.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">This is all over whether I have the right to work in my rock pit without their jurisdiction, as if this citizen does not know how to take care of himself. The Mine Safety and Health Administration, better known to rock pit owners and workers as MSHA, is behind it all. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">This citizen has the creator as his Lord and Savior. He will not submit to such tyranny with the Kind of the universe by his side. I covet the prayers of all who stand for truth, love and liberty."</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Francis Richard Schrader, Sovereign American, </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Myrtle Point, republic of Oregon </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"> </span>La Pine Redi Mix, Inc.http://www.blogger.com/profile/11461731568253083399noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6391323105131650335.post-16223812558826080012010-05-18T16:00:00.000-07:002010-05-18T16:00:34.087-07:00May 24th Workshop in Kent, Washington:<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="ecxMsoNormalTable" style="width: 100%;"><tbody>
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<tr> <td style="padding: 3.75pt;" valign="top"> <div align="center" class="ecxMsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><img border="0" height="52" id="ecx_x0000_i1028" src="http://e2ma.net/userdata/37475/images/e1265840635.jpg" width="420" /></span></span></div><div> <div class="ecxMsoNormal"><br />
</div></div><div align="center" class="ecxMsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><em><b><i><span style="color: #3300ff; font-family: Verdana; font-size: x-small;"><span style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% yellow; color: #3300ff; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 11pt; font-weight: bold;">2.5 Hour MSHA WORKSHOP HAS BEEN RESCHEDULED FOR:</span></span></i></b></em></div><div align="center" class="ecxMsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><em><b><i><span style="color: #3300ff; font-family: Verdana; font-size: x-small;"><span style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% yellow; color: #3300ff; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 11pt; font-weight: bold;">MONDAY, MAY 24TH @ 9:00am - 11:30am</span></span></i></b></em></div><div align="center" class="ecxMsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="ecxMsoNormal"><em><b><i><span style="color: #3300ff; font-family: Verdana; font-size: x-small;"><span style="color: #3300ff; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 11pt; font-weight: bold;">MSHA requested to reschedule the workshop for Monday, May 24th and we indicated we would advise once we had all planning and commitments in place. SAME LOCATION as prior notice, please see below for more details. </span></span></i></b></em></div><div align="center" class="ecxMsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><em><b><i><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 11pt; font-weight: bold;"> <span style="color: #3300ff;"><span style="color: #3300ff;"> </span></span></span></span></i></b></em></div><div> <div class="ecxMsoNormal"><em><b><i><span style="color: black; font-family: Verdana; font-size: x-small;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 11pt; font-weight: bold;">Everyone is aware the dynamics in MSHA are changing and very unpopular and that is not likely to change in the short term.</span></span></i></b></em></div></div><div> <div class="ecxMsoNormal"><br />
</div></div><div> <div class="ecxMsoNormal"><em><b><i><span style="color: black; font-family: Verdana; font-size: x-small;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 11pt; font-weight: bold;">Recently, MSHA has implemented a renewed emphasis of enforcement policy on Return Roller Guarding, implemented Rules to Live By and Horn policy. The objective of this workshop is to discuss these 3 areas and obtain clarification regarding these standards. </span></span></i></b></em></div></div><div> <div class="ecxMsoNormal"><br />
</div></div><div> <div class="ecxMsoNormal"><em><b><i><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 11pt; font-weight: bold;"> <span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black;">The Safety Committee has scheduled time with the local KENT District MSHA supervisors to discuss these issues.</span></span></span></span></i></b></em></div></div><div> <div class="ecxMsoNormal"><br />
</div></div><div> <div class="ecxMsoNormal"><em><b><i><span style="color: maroon; font-family: Verdana; font-size: x-small;"><span style="color: maroon; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 11pt; font-weight: bold;">WHEN:</span></span></i></b></em><em><b><i><span style="color: #3300ff; font-family: Verdana; font-size: x-small;"><span style="color: #3300ff; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 11pt; font-weight: bold;"> </span></span></i></b></em><em><b><i><span style="color: #330099; font-family: Verdana; font-size: x-small;"><span style="color: #330099; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 11pt; font-weight: bold;">MONDAY MAY 24TH AT 9:00am- 11:30am</span></span></i></b></em></div></div><div> <div class="ecxMsoNormal"><br />
</div></div><div> <div class="ecxMsoNormal"><em><b><i><span style="color: maroon; font-family: Verdana; font-size: x-small;"><span style="color: maroon; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 11pt; font-weight: bold;">WHERE:</span></span></i></b></em><em><b><i><span style="color: #330099; font-family: Verdana; font-size: x-small;"><span style="color: #330099; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 11pt; font-weight: bold;"> AT THE CENTERPOINT CORPORATE OFFICES IN KENT</span></span></i></b></em></div></div><div> <div class="ecxMsoNormal"><em><b><i><span style="color: #330099; font-family: Verdana; font-size: x-small;"><span style="color: #330099; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 11pt; font-weight: bold;">20809 72ND AVE S.</span></span></i></b></em><em><b><i><span style="color: #330099; font-family: Verdana; font-size: x-small;"><span style="color: #330099; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 11pt; font-weight: bold;"> // KENT // 98032</span></span></i></b></em></div></div><div> <div class="ecxMsoNormal"><em><b><i><span style="color: #330099; font-family: Verdana; font-size: x-small;"><span style="color: #330099; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 11pt; font-weight: bold;"> *** COMMONS BUILDING </span></span></i></b></em></div></div><div> <div class="ecxMsoNormal"><em><b><i><span style="color: #330099; font-family: Verdana; font-size: x-small;"><span style="color: #330099; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 11pt; font-weight: bold;">*** Same building as the Alkai Bakery & Day Care</span></span></i></b></em><b><i><span style="color: #330099; font-family: Verdana; font-size: x-small;"><span style="color: #330099; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;"><br />
<em><i><span style="font-family: Verdana;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">*** Site where the Spring Thaw Meetings have been held</span></span></i></em></span></span></i></b></div></div><div> <div class="ecxMsoNormal"><em><b><i><span style="color: #330099; font-family: Verdana; font-size: x-small;"><span style="color: #330099; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 11pt; font-weight: bold;"> </span></span><span style="color: #330099;"><span style="color: #330099;"> </span></span></i></b></em></div></div><div> <div class="ecxMsoNormal"><br />
</div></div><div> <div class="ecxMsoNormal"><em><b><i><span style="color: maroon; font-family: Verdana; font-size: x-small;"><span style="color: maroon; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 11pt; font-weight: bold;">WHAT:</span></span></i></b></em><em><b><i><span style="color: #330099; font-family: Verdana; font-size: x-small;"><span style="color: #330099; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 11pt; font-weight: bold;"> Review of Policies for Return Roller Guarding,</span></span></i></b></em><b><i><span style="color: #330099; font-family: Verdana; font-size: x-small;"><span style="color: #330099; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;"><br />
<em><i><span style="font-family: Verdana;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;"> Rules to Live By and Horn Policy</span></span></i></em></span></span></i></b></div></div><div> <div class="ecxMsoNormal"><br />
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</div></div><div> <div class="ecxMsoNormal"><em><b><i><span style="color: maroon; font-family: Verdana; font-size: x-small;"><span style="color: maroon; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 11pt; font-weight: bold;">HOW:</span></span></i></b></em><em><b><i><span style="color: #330099; font-family: Verdana; font-size: x-small;"><span style="color: #330099; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 11pt; font-weight: bold;"> To register for this <u>COMPLIMENTARY</u> workshop </span></span></i></b></em></div></div><div> <div class="ecxMsoNormal"><em><b><i><span style="color: #330099; font-family: Verdana; font-size: x-small;"><span style="color: #330099; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 11pt; font-weight: bold;"> please email Sarah at <a href="mailto:shamner@washingtonconcrete.org">shamner@washingtonconcrete.org</a></span></span></i></b></em></div></div><div> <div class="ecxMsoNormal"><br />
</div></div><div align="center" class="ecxMsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><em><b><i><span style="color: #050000; font-family: Verdana; font-size: x-small;"><span style="color: #050000; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 11pt; font-weight: bold;">The Safety Committee is gathering and evaluating picture examples of when return rollers may require guarding and when they may not, and we hope to have a dialogue with the agency to clarify other newly implemented policies that are creating confusion.</span></span></i></b></em></div><div align="center" class="ecxMsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div align="center" class="ecxMsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><em><b><i><span style="color: #050000; font-family: Verdana; font-size: x-small;"><span style="color: #050000; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 11pt; font-weight: bold;">If you cannot attend, not too worry, we will take copious notes and provide as much guidance and clarity as we can following the event. IF you are interested in receiving updated information discussed at the workshop please email me or Sarah Hamner at: <a href="mailto:spatterson@washingtonconcrete.org">shamner@washingtonconcrete.org</a></span></span></i></b></em></div><div align="center" class="ecxMsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><em><b><i><span style="color: #050000; font-family: Verdana; font-size: x-small;"><span style="color: #050000; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 11pt; font-weight: bold;">*** Note Sarah Patterson's email has changed to: </span></span></i></b></em></div><div align="center" class="ecxMsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><em><b><i><span style="color: #050000; font-family: Verdana; font-size: x-small;"><span style="color: #050000; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 11pt; font-weight: bold;"><a href="mailto:shamner@washingtonconcrete.org">shamner@washingtonconcrete.org</a></span></span></i></b></em></div><div align="center" class="ecxMsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><em><b><i><span style="color: #050000; font-family: Verdana; font-size: x-small;"><span style="color: #050000; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 11pt; font-weight: bold;"><a href="mailto:spatterson@washingtonconcrete.org">spatterson@washingtonconcrete.org</a> will remain active for a little while. Please update your records accordingly.</span></span></i></b></em></div><div> <div class="ecxMsoNormal"><br />
</div></div><div> <div class="ecxMsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 11pt;"> </span></span></div><div> <div class="ecxMsoNormal"><strong><b><u><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 11pt;">From I-5:</span></span></u></b></strong><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 11pt;"></span></span></div></div><div> <div class="ecxMsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 11pt;">Take the 188th St / Orilla Rd Exit // Turn LEFT onto Orilla Rd // Orilla Rd becomes 212th St. // Turn LEFT onto W. Valley Hwy / 68th Ave S. // Turn RIGHT onto S. 208th St. // Take a LEFT at the "V" in the driveway, the Commons Building is on your RIGHT.</span></span></div></div><div> <div class="ecxMsoNormal"><br />
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</div></div><div> <div class="ecxMsoNormal"><strong><b><u><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 11pt;">From I-405:</span></span></u></b></strong><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt;"> </span></span></div><div> <div class="ecxMsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 11pt;">Take WA 167N - Exit 2B toward Rainer Ave S // Merge onto Valley Fwy. (WA -167 S.) via Exit 2A on the LEFT towards Kent / Auburn // Take the 212th St. Exit // Turn RIGHT onto 212th St. // Turn RIGHT onto W. Valley Hwy / 68th Ave S. // Turn RIGHT Onto 208th St. Take a LEFT at the "V" in the driveway.</span></span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt;"></span></span></div></div><div> <div class="ecxMsoNormal"><br />
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</div></div><div> <div> <div class="ecxMsoNormal"><em><b><i><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 11pt; font-weight: bold;">For more information contact:</span></span></i></b></em></div></div><div> <div class="ecxMsoNormal"><em><b><i><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 11pt; font-weight: bold;"><a href="mailto:bchattin@washingtonconcrete.org">bchattin@washingtonconcrete.org</a> // 206-571-3395</span></span></i></b></em></div></div><div> <div class="ecxMsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> <em><i><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"> </span></i></em></span></span></div></div></div><div align="center" class="ecxMsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><strong><b><i><span style="color: darkblue; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: small;"><span style="color: darkblue; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic;">WA Aggregates & Concrete Association</span></span></i></b></strong></div><div> <div align="center" class="ecxMsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><strong><b><i><span style="color: green; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: small;"><span style="color: green; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic;">22223 7th Avenue So.</span></span></i></b></strong><i><span style="font-style: italic;"></span></i></div></div><div> <div align="center" class="ecxMsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><strong><b><i><span style="color: green; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: small;"><span style="color: green; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic;"> Des Moines, WA 98198</span></span></i></b></strong><i><span style="font-style: italic;"></span></i></div></div><div> <div align="center" class="ecxMsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><strong><b><i><span style="color: green; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: small;"><span style="color: green; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic;"> ph. 206.878.1622</span></span></i></b></strong><i><span style="font-style: italic;"></span></i></div></div><div align="center" class="ecxMsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><strong><b><i><span style="color: green; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: small;"><span style="color: green; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic;">fx. 206.878.6282</span></span></i></b></strong><i><span style="font-style: italic;"></span></i></div><div align="center" class="ecxMsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><strong><b><i><span style="color: green; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: small;"><span style="color: green; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic;"><a href="http://e2ma.net/go/8280123589/2814172/94720816/37475/goto:http:/www.washingtonconcrete.org/" target="_blank">www.washingtonconcrete.org</a></span></span></i></b></strong></div></td></tr>
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</tbody></table>La Pine Redi Mix, Inc.http://www.blogger.com/profile/11461731568253083399noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6391323105131650335.post-12121495669622020252010-05-01T09:07:00.000-07:002010-05-01T10:22:32.144-07:00Encylopedia.com AND Google Search Results for MSHA FBI Investigation:<span style="font-size: 130%; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">Here is a link to a great search engine called: Encyclopedia.com </span><br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.encyclopedia.com/searchresults.aspx?q=MSHA" style="color: #330099;">http://www.encyclopedia.com/searchresults.aspx?q=MSHA</a><br />
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 180%;"><span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">From Google:</span></span></div><br />
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<tr><td class="slp-extra-articles" style="color: #660000;"><div class="section" id="story-articles"><div class="topic"><div class="story cid-17593746263953 l-en headline-story thumbnail-false "><h2 class="title"><a class="usg-AFQjCNGyDNmYfnijD9-Dp0HkBAfDydhjAg " href="http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=126422117" id="MAA4AEgAUABqAnVz" target="_self">Massey, Federal Officials Investigated In Mine Blast</a> </h2><div class="sub-title"><span class="source">NPR</span> - <span class="author-link"><a href="http://news.google.com/news/search?pz=1&um=1&cf=all&ned=us&hl=en&q=author%3A%22Howard+Berkes%22&scoring=n">Howard Berkes</a></span> - <span class="date ">12 hours ago</span></div><div class="body"><div class="snippet">The sources also say the probe also includes possible bribery of employees of <b>MSHA</b>, the federal agency that inspects coal and other mines and enforced <b>...</b> </div><div class="sources"><span class="source-link"></span></div></div></div><div class="story cid-17593746263953 l-en headline-story thumbnail-false "><h2 class="title"><a class="usg-AFQjCNFDGHhCMQUg_4yTfN743DJwYR16aA " href="http://www.huntingtonnews.net/state/100501-rutherford-statemasseyenergy.html" id="MAA4AEgBUABqAnVz" target="_self">DEVELOPING: <b>MSHA</b>, Massey Energy Under Possible FBI Bribery Investigation</a> </h2><div class="sub-title"><span class="source">HNN Huntingtonnews.net</span> - <span class="author-link"><a href="http://news.google.com/news/search?pz=1&um=1&cf=all&ned=us&hl=en&q=author%3A%22Tony+Rutherford%22&scoring=n">Tony Rutherford</a></span> - <span class="date ">9 hours ago</span></div><div class="body"><div class="snippet">Late Friday afternoon, April 30, a federal law enforcement source denied that the <b>MSHA</b> is part of the UBB mine disaster investigation. <b>...</b> </div><div class="sources"><span class="source-link"></span></div></div></div><div class="story cid-17593746263953 l-en headline-story thumbnail-false "><h2 class="title"><a class="usg-AFQjCNEv03nvN9ASkuzMX3MkYJhrU0gTnw " href="http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601103&sid=aTjQXa0a9Qjo" id="MAA4AEgCUABqAnVz" target="_self">FBI Said to Conduct Criminal Investigation of Massey Explosion</a> </h2><div class="sub-title"><span class="source">Bloomberg</span> - <span class="author-link"><a href="http://news.google.com/news/search?pz=1&um=1&cf=all&ned=us&hl=en&q=author%3A%22Mario+Parker%22&scoring=n">Mario Parker</a>, <a href="http://news.google.com/news/search?pz=1&um=1&cf=all&ned=us&hl=en&q=author%3A%22Justin+Blum%22&scoring=n">Justin Blum</a></span> - <span class="date ">18 hours ago</span></div><div class="body"><div class="snippet"><b>...</b> are among the top 20 in the US ranked by the number of “significant and substantial” violations accrued since January 2009, according to <b>MSHA</b> data. <b>...</b> </div><div class="sources"><span class="source-link"></span></div></div></div><div class="story cid-17593746263953 l-en headline-story thumbnail-false "><h2 class="title"><a class="usg-AFQjCNH5rMQQP32YrJN3NCWDqbRZILqaaA " href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/michaeltomasky/2010/apr/30/usa-coal-federal-probe-massey" id="MAA4AEgDUABqAnVz" target="_self">Bribery allegation in mine WV probe</a> </h2><div class="sub-title"><span class="source">The Guardian</span> - <span class="date ">21 hours ago</span></div><div class="body"><div class="snippet">When last we spoke of this general matter, the subject of why <b>MSHA</b>, the mine safety and health administration, didn't do more to prevent such disasters was <b>...</b> </div><div class="sources"><span class="source-link"></span></div></div></div><div class="story cid-17593746263953 l-en headline-story thumbnail-false "><h2 class="title"><a class="usg-AFQjCNF-JR5Y5ntlu8RMhuAgR-wnX39Niw " href="http://pr-usa.net/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=384996&Itemid=32" id="MAA4AEgEUABqAnVz" target="_self">Massey Responds to <b>MSHA</b> Press Release Regarding Surprise Inspections</a> </h2><div class="sub-title"><span class="source">PR-USA.net (press release)</span> - <span class="date ">Apr 30, 2010</span></div><div class="body"><div class="snippet">Massey Energy Company today responded to <b>MSHA's</b> press release earlier today entitled "Hazard complaints result in surprise inspections at 3 Massey-owned <b>...</b> </div><div class="sources"><span class="source-link"></span></div></div></div><div class="story cid-17593746263953 l-en headline-story thumbnail-false "><h2 class="title"><a class="usg-AFQjCNGw4sH19NYHGgTLyldOlOmtwnI4lg " href="http://www.wvmetronews.com/index.cfm?func=displayfullstory&storyid=36809" id="MAA4AEgFUABqAnVz" target="_self"><b>MSHA</b> Inspectors May Have Been Bribed</a> </h2><div class="sub-title"><span class="source">West Virginia MetroNews</span> - <span class="date ">Apr 30, 2010</span></div><div class="body"><div class="snippet">ABC Radio reports an FBI Investigation is underway into allegations federal mine inspectors may have taken bribes ahead of the Upper Big Branch Mine <b>...</b> </div><div class="sources"><span class="source-link"></span></div></div></div><div class="story cid-17593746263953 l-en headline-story thumbnail-false "><h2 class="title"><a class="usg-AFQjCNFuTHQS7ueOf4VSpK4_uZ2z3wng7Q " href="http://wowktv.com/story.cfm?func=viewstory&storyid=79104" id="MAA4AEgGUABqAnVz" target="_self">FBI Reportedly Launches <b>MSHA</b>-Massey Bribery Investigation</a> </h2><div class="sub-title"><span class="source">WOWK</span> - <span class="date ">Apr 30, 2010</span></div><div class="body"><div class="snippet">Massey Energy officials told NPR they did not know about the allegations, but that the company would fully cooperate with the investigation. <b>MSHA</b> did not <b>...</b> </div><div class="sources"><span class="source-link"></span></div></div></div><div class="story cid-17593746263953 l-en headline-story thumbnail-false "><h2 class="title"><a class="usg-AFQjCNGrOWsoBM7DMAtJhZKBU7pcZXm3PA " href="http://content.usatoday.com/communities/ondeadline/post/2010/04/npr-fbi-probing-possible-bribery-of-mine-safety-officials-in-w-va-disaster/1" id="MAA4AEgHUABqAnVz" target="_self">NPR: FBI probing possible bribery of mine safety officials in W.Va. disaster</a> </h2><div class="sub-title"><span class="source">USA Today</span> - <span class="date ">Apr 30, 2010</span></div><div class="body"><div class="snippet"><b>...</b> cooperating with any investigation. <b>MSHA</b>, the federal agency that inspects and regulates mining, has yet to respond to a request for comment, NPR says. </div><div class="sources"><span class="source-link"></span></div></div></div><div class="story cid-17593746263953 l-en headline-story thumbnail-false "><h2 class="title"><a class="usg-AFQjCNHWOg4y0FRvPXuo8RBM4Yadev4vvA " href="http://www.businessweek.com/news/2010-04-29/u-s-sued-by-widows-over-massey-2006-coal-mine-fire-deaths.html" id="MAA4AEgIUABqAnVz" target="_self">US Sued by Widows Over Massey 2006 Coal Mine Fire Deaths</a> </h2><div class="sub-title"><span class="source">BusinessWeek</span> - <span class="author-link"><a href="http://news.google.com/news/search?pz=1&um=1&cf=all&ned=us&hl=en&q=author%3A%22Chris+Stratton%22&scoring=n">Chris Stratton</a>, <a href="http://news.google.com/news/search?pz=1&um=1&cf=all&ned=us&hl=en&q=author%3A%22Margaret+Cronin+Fisk%22&scoring=n">Margaret Cronin Fisk</a></span> - <span class="date ">Apr 29, 2010</span></div><div class="body"><div class="snippet">“<b>MSHA</b> found at least 20 specific safety violations that contributed to the accident that killed Mr. Bragg and Mr. Hatfield,” according to the complaint. <b>...</b> </div><div class="sources"><span class="source-link"></span></div></div></div><div class="story cid-17593746263953 l-en headline-story thumbnail-true "><div class="thumbnail "><a class="usg-AFQjCNFDiF0xH7HM4GZPCdyzj81TqNu1Ag " href="http://www.wvpubcast.org/newsarticle.aspx?id=14625" target="_self" title="West Virginia Public Broadcasting"><img alt="" height="80" src="data:image/jpeg;base64,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" width="80" /></a></div><h2 class="title"><a class="usg-AFQjCNFDiF0xH7HM4GZPCdyzj81TqNu1Ag " href="http://www.wvpubcast.org/newsarticle.aspx?id=14625" id="MAA4AEgJUABqAnVz" target="_self">Former miner says FBI investigation is 'long over due'</a> </h2><div class="sub-title"><span class="source">West Virginia Public Broadcasting</span> - <span class="author-link"><a href="http://news.google.com/news/search?pz=1&um=1&cf=all&ned=us&hl=en&q=author%3A%22Jessica+Y.+Lilly%22&scoring=n">Jessica Y. Lilly</a></span> - <span class="date ">20 hours ago</span></div><div class="body"><div class="snippet">April 30, 2010 · News of the FBI investigating Massey Energy, and the federal <b>MSHA</b> office for allegations of bribery, are bringing hope <b>...</b> </div><div class="sources"><span class="source-link"></span></div></div></div><div class="story cid-17593746263953 l-en headline-story thumbnail-false "><h2 class="title"><a class="usg-AFQjCNHkg43UzgdzcBN7EkzXJgyGVHZbpQ " href="http://www.wpxi.com/news/23322275/detail.html" id="MAA4AEgKUABqAnVz" target="_self">Massey Energy To Bid On Idled Washington County Mine</a> </h2><div class="sub-title"><span class="source">WPXI Pittsburgh</span> - <span class="date ">20 hours ago</span></div><div class="body"><div class="snippet">Massey acknowledged <b>MSHA</b> found conditions that didn't meet company or industry standards. But Massey denied <b>MSHA's</b> assertion there was a fire at one of the <b>...</b> </div><div class="sources"><span class="source-link"></span></div></div></div><div class="story cid-17593746263953 l-en headline-story thumbnail-false "><h2 class="title"><a class="usg-AFQjCNEQf6a8gx3GMNU81SEzfspT-0dRYw " href="http://www.npr.org/blogs/thetwo-way/2010/04/fbi_probing_fed_officials_and.html" id="MAA4AEgLUABqAnVz" target="_self">FBI Probing US Officials And Massey, Owner Of W. Va. Mine Where 29 Died</a> </h2><div class="sub-title"><span class="source">NPR (blog)</span> - <span class="author-link"><a href="http://news.google.com/news/search?pz=1&um=1&cf=all&ned=us&hl=en&q=author%3A%22Howard+Berkes%22&scoring=n">Howard Berkes</a>, <a href="http://news.google.com/news/search?pz=1&um=1&cf=all&ned=us&hl=en&q=author%3A%22Dina+Temple-Raston%22&scoring=n">Dina Temple-Raston</a></span> - <span class="date ">Apr 30, 2010</span></div><div class="body"><div class="snippet">NPR has reported that Massey Energy and <b>MSHA</b> were the subjects of investigations. NPR News has learned that the Mine Safety and Health Administration is one <b>...</b> </div><div class="sources"><span class="source-link"></span></div></div></div><div class="story cid-17593746263953 l-en headline-story thumbnail-false "><h2 class="title"><a class="usg-AFQjCNGRcoAo3GwhA9eRo78lSAscXlRrig " href="http://www.streetinsider.com/Corporate+News/Massey+Energy+%28MEE%29+Slammed+On+Reports+of+FBI+Investigation/5581627.html" id="MAA4AEgMUABqAnVz" target="_self">Massey Energy (MEE) Slammed On Reports of FBI Investigation</a> </h2><div class="sub-title"><span class="source">StreetInsider.com (subscription)</span> - <span class="date ">Apr 30, 2010</span></div><div class="body"><div class="snippet">The mining company has been cited on several occasions for violations of the safety standards set by the <b>MSHA</b>, and rumors have been swirling that mine <b>...</b> </div><div class="sources"><span class="source-link"></span></div></div></div><div class="story cid-17593746263953 l-en headline-story thumbnail-true "><div class="thumbnail "><a class="usg-AFQjCNFzgLBP5aq1rxI_dGdktkLsHIeBfQ " href="http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSTRE63T39O20100430?feedType=RSS&feedName=topNews" target="_self" title="Reuters"><img alt="" height="80" src="http://nt3.ggpht.com/news/tbn/f9LiKMdQOttg8M/6.jpg" width="80" /></a></div><h2 class="title"><a class="usg-AFQjCNFzgLBP5aq1rxI_dGdktkLsHIeBfQ " href="http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSTRE63T39O20100430?feedType=RSS&feedName=topNews" id="MAA4AEgNUABqAnVz" target="_self">Massey, mining regulator under FBI probe: report</a> </h2><div class="sub-title"><span class="source">Reuters</span> - <span class="author-link"><a href="http://news.google.com/news/search?pz=1&um=1&cf=all&ned=us&hl=en&q=author%3A%22John+Gress%22&scoring=n">John Gress</a>, <a href="http://news.google.com/news/search?pz=1&um=1&cf=all&ned=us&hl=en&q=author%3A%22James+Vicini%22&scoring=n">James Vicini</a></span> - <span class="date ">Apr 30, 2010</span></div><div class="body"><div class="snippet"><b>...</b> was the result of "willful disregard" for safety regulations but acknowledged that eight Massey mines were targets for an inspection "blitz" by <b>MSHA</b>. <b>...</b> </div><div class="sources"><span class="source-link"></span></div></div></div><div class="story cid-17593746263953 l-en headline-story thumbnail-false "><h2 class="title"><a class="usg-AFQjCNE-pzgXJwbkM1C98TVadN-ZE70CNw " href="http://news.blogs.cnn.com/2010/05/01/fbi-interviews-massey-employees-in-mine-blast-probe/" id="MAA4AEgOUABqAnVz" target="_self">FBI interviews Massey employees in mine blast probe</a> </h2><div class="sub-title"><span class="source">CNN (blog)</span> - <span class="author-link"><a href="http://news.google.com/news/search?pz=1&um=1&cf=all&ned=us&hl=en&q=author%3A%22Brantley+Foster%22&scoring=n">Brantley Foster</a></span> - <span class="date ">12 hours ago</span></div><div class="body"><div class="snippet">To my mind, it'll be tough for the gov to show that the consequences of whatever oversight they finger as the root cause of this were Rx Fx. If it ends up <b>...</b> </div><div class="sources"><span class="source-link"></span></div></div></div><div class="story cid-17593746263953 l-en headline-story thumbnail-false "><h2 class="title"><a class="usg-AFQjCNFoSn3D9Q6QriRwGaZ_C9i1OOR5cQ " href="http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/nation/wire/sc-dc-massey-investigation-20100430,0,7650481.story" id="MAA4AEgPUABqAnVz" target="_self">Prosecutors Investigating Coal Company</a> </h2><div class="sub-title"><span class="source">Los Angeles Times</span> - <span class="date ">16 hours ago</span></div><div class="body"><div class="snippet">Washington…The Justice Department has launched a criminal investigation of the explosion at Massey Energy's Big Branch mine in West Virginia, <b>...</b> </div><div class="sources"><span class="source-link"></span></div></div></div><div class="story cid-17593746263953 l-en headline-story thumbnail-false "><h2 class="title"><a class="usg-AFQjCNGBlHsRFccViZld130Zjs6xUYEsGw " href="http://www.fairwarning.org/2010/04/mining-notes-second-miner-dies-in-ky-massey-under-criminal-probe-potential-msha-bribery/" id="MAA4AEgQUABqAnVz" target="_self">Mining Notes: Second Miner Dies in Ky., Massey Under Criminal Probe, Potential <b>...</b></a> </h2><div class="sub-title"><span class="source">FairWarning (blog)</span> - <span class="author-link"><a href="http://news.google.com/news/search?pz=1&um=1&cf=all&ned=us&hl=en&q=author%3A%22Bridget+Huber%22&scoring=n">Bridget Huber</a></span> - <span class="date ">Apr 30, 2010</span></div><div class="body"><div class="snippet">Rescue workers recovered the body of a second coal miner killed in a collapse at a Kentucky mine with a history of safety <b>...</b> </div><div class="sources"><span class="source-link"></span></div></div></div><div class="story cid-17593746263953 l-en headline-story thumbnail-false "><h2 class="title"><a class="usg-AFQjCNE35fp2eqMtwIarI1jzXsKWJ0siWA " href="http://www.nytimes.com/2010/05/01/us/01mine.html" id="MAA4AEgRUABqAnVz" target="_self">Mine Blast That Killed 29 Prompts FBI Inquiry</a> </h2><div class="sub-title"><span class="source">New York Times</span> - <span class="author-link"><a href="http://news.google.com/news/search?pz=1&um=1&cf=all&ned=us&hl=en&q=author%3A%22Ian+Urbina%22&scoring=n">Ian Urbina</a></span> - <span class="date ">18 hours ago</span></div><div class="body"><div class="snippet">WASHINGTON — The FBI has interviewed more than 20 employees of Massey Energy in a criminal investigation of the explosion that killed 29 of <b>...</b> </div><div class="sources"><span class="source-link"></span></div></div></div><div class="story cid-17593746263953 l-en headline-story thumbnail-false "><h2 class="title"><a class="usg-AFQjCNF3RDmbZrIXKMdURslErfTOOCnFsQ " href="http://pr-canada.net/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=192044&Itemid=58" id="MAA4AEgSUABqAnVz" target="_self">Hazard complaints result in surprise inspections at 3 Massey-owned mines</a> </h2><div class="sub-title"><span class="source">PR-CANADA.net (press release)</span> - <span class="date ">Apr 29, 2010</span></div><div class="body"><div class="snippet">The US Department of Labor's Mine Safety and Health Administration today announced that <b>MSHA</b> inspectors responded to three separate anonymous complaints <b>...</b> </div><div class="sources"><span class="source-link"></span></div></div></div><div class="story cid-17593746263953 l-en headline-story thumbnail-false "><h2 class="title"><a class="usg-AFQjCNGEwYFNRLB15JiaPzFayXx0xduOsA " href="http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5iLB8b-J6xMJMLvlMb97tsiVPpY8wD9FDKC0O1" id="MAA4AEgTUABqAnVz" target="_self">FBI interviews nearly 2 dozen Massey employees</a> </h2><div class="sub-title"><span class="source">The Associated Press</span> - <span class="author-link"><a href="http://news.google.com/news/search?pz=1&um=1&cf=all&ned=us&hl=en&q=author%3A%22Pete+Yost%22&scoring=n">Pete Yost</a></span> - <span class="date ">19 hours ago</span></div><div class="body"><div class="snippet">WASHINGTON — The FBI has interviewed nearly two dozen current and former employees of Massey Energy Co. in a criminal probe of the West Virginia mine <b>...</b> </div><div class="sources"><span class="source-link"></span></div></div></div><div class="story cid-17593746263953 l-en headline-story thumbnail-false "><h2 class="title"><a class="usg-AFQjCNHyuZ3m6nGlSJ_CPq0up6G5ifWDVw " href="http://voices.washingtonpost.com/federal-eye/2010/04/justice_dept_investigating_wva.html" id="MAA4AEgUUABqAnVz" target="_self">Justice Dept. investigating W.Va. mine explosion</a> </h2><div class="sub-title"><span class="source">Washington Post (blog)</span> - <span class="author-link"><a href="http://news.google.com/news/search?pz=1&um=1&cf=all&ned=us&hl=en&q=author%3A%22Jerry+Markon%22&scoring=n">Jerry Markon</a>, <a href="http://news.google.com/news/search?pz=1&um=1&cf=all&ned=us&hl=en&q=author%3A%22Ed+O%27Keefe%22&scoring=n">Ed O'Keefe</a></span> - <span class="date ">22 hours ago</span></div><div class="body"><div class="snippet">By The Post's Jerry Markon and Ed O'Keefe: The Justice Department is conducting a criminal investigation of the explosion that killed 29 people at a West <b>...</b> </div><div class="sources"><span class="source-link"></span></div></div></div><div class="story cid-17593746263953 l-en headline-story thumbnail-false "><h2 class="title"><a class="usg-AFQjCNHbkHHZ-NR-yh-ONlZbetbvbySP7Q " href="http://www.marketwatch.com/story/massey-energy-shares-fall-on-report-of-fbi-probe-2010-04-30" id="MAA4AEgVUABqAnVz" target="_self">Massey Energy shares fall on report of FBI probe</a> </h2><div class="sub-title"><span class="source">MarketWatch</span> - <span class="author-link"><a href="http://news.google.com/news/search?pz=1&um=1&cf=all&ned=us&hl=en&q=author%3A%22Steve+Gelsi%22&scoring=n">Steve Gelsi</a></span> - <span class="date ">22 hours ago</span></div><div class="body"><div class="snippet">SAN FRANCISCO (MarketWatch) -- Shares of Massey Energy fell as much as 9% Friday after the company said media reports of a <b>...</b> </div><div class="sources"><span class="source-link"></span></div></div></div><div class="story cid-17593746263953 l-en headline-story thumbnail-false "><h2 class="title"><a class="usg-AFQjCNFBxUjFk-eAV61xxGYaHvKL02BxQA " href="http://www.register-herald.com/todaysfrontpage/x1271724822/Upper-Big-Branch-mine-remains-unsafe-for-investigators" id="MAA4AEgWUABqAnVz" target="_self">Upper Big Branch mine remains unsafe for investigators</a> </h2><div class="sub-title"><span class="source">Beckley Register-Herald</span> - <span class="author-link"><a href="http://news.google.com/news/search?pz=1&um=1&cf=all&ned=us&hl=en&q=author%3A%22Mannix+Porterfield%22&scoring=n">Mannix Porterfield</a></span> - <span class="date ">Apr 29, 2010</span></div><div class="body"><div class="snippet">Within the past few days, Massey Energy and <b>MSHA</b> have engaged in a war of words over safety issues at the mine leading up to the explosion. <b>...</b> </div><div class="sources"><span class="source-link"></span></div></div></div><div class="story cid-17593746263953 l-en headline-story thumbnail-false "><h2 class="title"><a class="usg-AFQjCNHlG-ByG3erwG2dqmtSOxvwnSAXdw " href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/04/30/fbi-investigating-fed-off_n_558544.html" id="MAA4AEgXUABqAnVz" target="_self">FBI Investigating Fed Officials And Massey Energy Over Possibly Bribery</a> </h2><div class="sub-title"><span class="source">Huffington Post (blog)</span> - <span class="date ">Apr 30, 2010</span></div><div class="body"><div class="snippet">NPR News reports that the FBI is investigating the possible bribery of federal officials overseeing mining industry regulation by Massey Energy, <b>...</b> </div><div class="sources"><span class="source-link"></span></div></div></div><div class="story cid-17593746263953 l-en headline-story thumbnail-false "><h2 class="title"><a class="usg-AFQjCNHJYyAIcpL8eNYATonjDurbX3TQ9Q " href="http://www.marketwatch.com/story/massey-shares-drop-on-report-of-fbi-probe-2010-04-30" id="MAA4AEgYUABqAnVz" target="_self">Massey shares drop on report of FBI probe</a> </h2><div class="sub-title"><span class="source">MarketWatch</span> - <span class="author-link"><a href="http://news.google.com/news/search?pz=1&um=1&cf=all&ned=us&hl=en&q=author%3A%22Wallace+Witkowski%22&scoring=n">Wallace Witkowski</a></span> - <span class="date ">Apr 30, 2010</span></div><div class="body"><div class="snippet">SAN FRANCISCO (MarketWatch) -- Shares of Massey Energy Co. (NYSE:MEE) dropped Friday following a National Public Radio report that the coal mine operator is <b>...</b> </div><div class="sources"><span class="source-link"></span></div></div></div><div class="story cid-17593746263953 l-en headline-story thumbnail-false "><h2 class="title"><a class="usg-AFQjCNElnMT5u640EM_WUCQShka3Mtku6w " href="http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=126414424" id="MAA4AEgZUABqAnVz" target="_self">Mine Owner, Safety Agency Face Federal Inquiry</a> </h2><div class="sub-title"><span class="source">NPR</span> - <span class="date ">Apr 30, 2010</span></div><div class="body"><div class="snippet">The Mine Safety and Health Administration is the subject of a federal criminal investigation following the explosion at the Upper Big Branch mine in West <b>...</b> </div><div class="sources"><span class="source-link"></span></div></div></div><div class="story cid-17593746263953 l-en headline-story thumbnail-false "><h2 class="title"><a class="usg-AFQjCNFwsoqWV4DBe5NztjVARufB-Gu03Q " href="http://www.istockanalyst.com/article/viewiStockNews/articleid/4073165" id="MAA4AEgaUABqAnVz" target="_self">Massey mine still not safe for investigators to enter</a> </h2><div class="sub-title"><span class="source">istockAnalyst.com (press release)</span> - <span class="date ">Apr 29, 2010</span></div><div class="body"><div class="snippet"><b>MSHA</b> and the state Office of Miners Health, Safety and Training are investigating. Additionally, Gov. Joe Manchin appointed longtime mine safety advocate <b>...</b> </div><div class="sources"><span class="source-link"></span></div></div></div><div class="story cid-17593746263953 l-en headline-story thumbnail-false "><h2 class="title"><a class="usg-AFQjCNGoP-qayvU1ZoKelObTO4Zk8Qq6FQ " href="http://www.upi.com/Business_News/2010/05/01/FBI-investigating-WVa-mine-blast/UPI-89041272723859/" id="MAA4AEgbUABqAnVz" target="_self">FBI investigating W.Va. mine blast</a> </h2><div class="sub-title"><span class="source">UPI.com</span> - <span class="date ">2 hours ago</span></div><div class="body"><div class="snippet">WASHINGTON, May 1 (UPI) -- The FBI has interviewed more than 20 Massey Energy employees in a criminal investigation into the explosion that killed 29 West <b>...</b> </div><div class="sources"><span class="source-link"></span></div></div></div><div class="story cid-17593746263953 l-en headline-story thumbnail-false "><h2 class="title"><a class="usg-AFQjCNHutawSs0aQK8VbVF2bS34_xCiRoQ " href="http://www.heraldtribune.com/article/20100501/ARTICLE/5011041/-1/newssitemap" id="MAA4AEgcUABqAnVz" target="_self">Mine blast inquiry</a> </h2><div class="sub-title"><span class="source">Sarasota Herald-Tribune</span> - <span class="date ">9 hours ago</span></div><div class="body"><div class="snippet">The Justice Department has launched a criminal investigation of the April 5 explosion at Massey Energy's Big Branch mine in West Virginia, law enforcement <b>...</b> </div><div class="sources"><span class="source-link"></span></div></div></div><div class="story cid-17593746263953 l-en headline-story thumbnail-false "><h2 class="title"><a class="usg-AFQjCNHYsgeR-etKGm7OicOtOKyDaLH23w " href="http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/s_679062.html" id="MAA4AEgdUABqAnVz" target="_self">Massey under FBI investigation for possible negligence</a> </h2><div class="sub-title"><span class="source">Pittsburgh Tribune-Review</span> - <span class="author-link"><a href="http://news.google.com/news/search?pz=1&um=1&cf=all&ned=us&hl=en&q=author%3A%22Brian+Bowling%22&scoring=n">Brian Bowling</a></span> - <span class="date ">12 hours ago</span></div><div class="body"><div class="snippet">Brian Bowling is a Pittsburgh Tribune-Review staff writer and can be reached at 412-325-4301 or via e-mail. <b>...</b> </div><div class="sources"><span class="source-link"></span></div></div></div></div></div></td> <td id="table-spacer-cell"><br />
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</td> <td><span class="num current">1</span></td> <td><a href="http://news.google.com/news/story?pz=1&um=1&cf=all&ned=us&hl=en&q=MSHA+news&ncl=dKSKohRw3oB89jMC-BQGHz0MCgXJM&cf=all&start=30"> <span class="num">2</span></a></td> <td><a href="http://news.google.com/news/story?pz=1&um=1&cf=all&ned=us&hl=en&q=MSHA+news&ncl=dKSKohRw3oB89jMC-BQGHz0MCgXJM&cf=all&start=60"> <span class="num">3</span></a></td> <td class="next"><br />
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</tbody></table>La Pine Redi Mix, Inc.http://www.blogger.com/profile/11461731568253083399noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6391323105131650335.post-80163635628919379022010-05-01T08:04:00.000-07:002010-05-01T09:46:07.034-07:00MSHA Under FBI Investigation:May 1, 2010<br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><b>DEVELOPING:<br />MSHA, Massey Energy Under Possible FBI Bribery Investigation<br /></b></span> <b><i>Case Originated in US Attorney’s Office in WV</i></b><br /><br /><i>By</i> <b>Tony Rutherford</b><br /><b>Huntingtonnews.net Reporter</b><br /><br /><b>Washington, DC (HNN)</b> – National Public Radio has reported that the FBI is looking into “possible bribery of employees of the Mine Safety and Health Administration” in connection with “potential criminal negligence on the part of Massey Energy.” The company owns the Upper Big Branch mine near Beckley, W.Va., where on April 5 twenty-nine miners lost their lives.<br /><br />Massey Energy issued a statement that they have “no knowledge” of criminal wrongdoing, adding, “It is not uncommon that an accident of the size and scope of UBB would lead to a comprehensive investigation by relevant law enforcement agencies.”<br /><br />The Los Angeles Times has reported that the Justice Department had stepped into the mining tragedy and that the case “originated in the U.S. attorney’s office in the Southern District of West Virginia.” Both the U.S. Attorney for the Southern District (who referred questions to the Justice Department) have declined comment. <br /><br />According to the NPR report and one by the Associated Press, about two dozen current and former employees of Massey have been interviewed in connection with the criminal investigation. <br /><br />Late Friday afternoon, April 30, a federal law enforcement source denied that the MSHA is part of the UBB mine disaster investigation. “I can say that there’s an investigation but it’s not about them (MSHA),” the report said. However, NPR “stands by” its earlier report. <br /><br /> NPR discovered the criminal investigation after one of their reporter’s tried to interview a miner. The miner said he could not talk because he was “being interviewed by an FBI agent and an investigator from MSHA.” <br /><br />Previously released MSHA documents showed that two “special investigations” were launched in 2009 concerning the UBB mine. Though, the so-called “preliminary special investigations” are referenced in MSHA records, there was no documentation provided on how these probes --- which generally open criminal investigations --- were closed. <br /><br />“We are not sharing special investigation data with anybody right now,” said Kevin Stricklin, MSHA coal administrator. “That’s private,” the Charleston Gazette reported. <br /><br />Contradicting the Massey Energy response that “it is not uncommon” for relevant law enforcement agencies to be involved, Tony Oppegard, a former senior official of MSHA and a former mine safety prosecutor in Kentucky, told NPR that FBI involvement in a mine disaster is “extremely rare. I’ve never heard of it before.”<br /><br /> The NPR story and updates can be found by clicking here: <a style="color: rgb(51, 0, 153);" href="http://www.npr.org/blogs/thetwo-way/2010/04/fbi_probing_fed_officials_and.html" target="blank">http://www.npr.org/blogs/thetwo-way/2010/04/fbi_probing_fed_officials_and.html</a><span style="color: rgb(51, 0, 153);">.</span> The LA Times story can be found at: <a style="color: rgb(51, 0, 153);" href="http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/nation/wire/sc-dc-massey-investigation-20100430,0,7650481.story" target="blank">http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/nation/wire/sc-dc-massey-investigation-20100430,0,7650481.story</a>.<br /><br /> Massey CEO Don Blankenship will be interviewed on Decision Makers which airs Sunday morning, May 2 at 8 a.m. on various West Virginia Media Holdings television stations. Blankenship said, in part in the interview, “ Our people know we do not condone anything like that… something of the nature described by National Public Radio would be very serious.”La Pine Redi Mix, Inc.http://www.blogger.com/profile/11461731568253083399noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6391323105131650335.post-66843507238680329942010-05-01T07:29:00.000-07:002010-05-13T14:11:11.930-07:00Sharpe's Point and Other Recent Articles:<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 180%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Sharpe's Point</span></span><br />
<br />
</div><span style="font-size: 130%;">A couple of days ago, Jim Sharpe posted his latest newsletter. It is full of new investigative information, including an in-depth explanation of the MSHA Office of Accountability. MSHA denies having a citation quota for inspectors, but the way that the Office of Accountability is set up, the inspectors get audited and this puts pressure on some of them to increase the number of tickets that they write. To learn more, click on Sharpe's Point to get the details.<br />
<br />
Jim Sharpe, a watchdog for the mining industry, also wrote a great articles in this month's newsletter on the Upper Big Branch disaster, the HELPS committee hearing, and possible enforcement consequences as a result. This is all great stuff to know. Jim has the best inside scoop out there, and his website is his job, so everything is up-to-date. Google: Sharpes Point.com<br />
<br />
<br />
</span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 130%;"><span style="font-size: 130%; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">Links to Recent Articles Regarding MSHA:</span></span></div><span style="font-size: 130%;"><br />
<span style="font-weight: bold;">"An Uphill Battle for an Underground Issue",<br />
by: Tina Grady Barbaccia</span><br />
<a href="http://www.aggman.com/agg-beat/" style="color: #330099;">http://www.aggman.com/agg-beat/</a><br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-weight: bold;">"Taking Inventory"<br />
by: Peter Gould<br />
</span><a href="http://www.aggman.com/rock-law-taking-inventory/" style="color: #330099;">http://www.aggman.com/rock-law-taking-inventory/</a><br />
</span>La Pine Redi Mix, Inc.http://www.blogger.com/profile/11461731568253083399noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6391323105131650335.post-88721044210711489992010-04-29T07:39:00.000-07:002010-05-01T07:57:15.208-07:00<h2>Full Committee Hearing - Putting Safety First: Strengthening Enforcement and Creating a Culture of Compliance at Mines and Other Dangerous Workplaces</h2><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;font-size:180%;" >Link to HELPS Hearing on Safety:</span><br /><a style="color: rgb(51, 0, 153);" href="http://help.senate.gov/hearings/hearing/?id=1c73dd04-5056-9502-5d66-5b82b85e591d">http://help.senate.gov/hearings/hearing/?id=1c73dd04-5056-9502-5d66-5b82b85e591d</a><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-size:180%;"><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">Link to Joe Main's Testimony:</span></span><br /><a style="color: rgb(51, 0, 153);" href="http://help.senate.gov/imo/media/doc/Main.pdf">http://help.senate.gov/imo/media/doc/Main.pdf</a><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;font-size:180%;" ><br />Link to Sen. Tom Harkin's Facebook Page:</span><br /><a style="color: rgb(51, 0, 153);" href="http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#%21/tomharkin">http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#!/tomharkin</a>La Pine Redi Mix, Inc.http://www.blogger.com/profile/11461731568253083399noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6391323105131650335.post-61961835741813322472010-04-26T10:55:00.000-07:002010-04-29T09:31:27.937-07:00See the video of this hearing tomorrow at 2:00 ET:<br /><h2>Full Committee Hearing - Putting Safety First: Strengthening Enforcement and Creating a Culture of Compliance at Mines and Other Dangerous Workplaces</h2> <div id="hearing-details"> <div id="hearing-details-left"> <h4>Date:</h4> <p> Tuesday, April 27 2010, 2:00 PM<br /> </p> <h4>Place:</h4> <p> 430 Dirksen Senate Office Building </p> </div> <div id="hearing-details-right"> </div> <div class="clear"><!-- --></div> </div><!-- // hearing-details --> <h3>Witnesses<span><a href="http://help.senate.gov/hearings/hearing/?id=1c73dd04-5056-9502-5d66-5b82b85e591d#top" name="testimony"><br /></a></span></h3> <div class="clear"><!-- --></div> <h4>Panel I</h4> <ul><li class=" alt"> <div class="left"> <b> Joe Main </b> , Assistant Secretary of Labor for Mine Safety and Health, Washington, DC </div> <div class="clear"><!-- --></div> </li></ul> <h4>Panel II</h4> <ul><li class=" alt"> <div class="left"> <b> Cecil Roberts </b> , President, United Mine Workers, Triangle, VA </div> <div class="clear"><!-- --></div> </li><li> <div class="left"> <b> Jeff Harris </b> , Mine Worker, Farley, WV </div> <div class="clear"><!-- --></div> </li><li class=" alt"> <div class="left"> <b> Wes Addington </b> , Deputy Director, Appalachian Citizens’ Law Center, Whitesburg, KY </div> <div class="clear"><!-- --></div> </li><li> <div class="left"> <b> Bruce Watzman </b> , Senior Vice President, Regulatory Affairs, National Mining Association, Washington, DC </div> <div class="clear"><!-- --></div> </li></ul> <h4>Panel III</h4> <ul><li class=" alt"> <div class="left"> <b> David Michaels </b> , Assistant Secretary of Labor for Occupational Safety and Health, Washington, DC </div> <div class="clear"><!-- --></div> </li></ul> <h4>Panel IV</h4> <ul><li class=" alt"> <div class="left"> <b> Peg Seminario </b> , Director of Safety and Health, AFL-CIO, Bethesda, MD </div> <div class="clear"><!-- --></div> </li><li> <div class="left"> <b> Holly Shaw </b> , Philadelphia, PA </div> <div class="clear"><!-- --></div> </li><li class=" alt"> <div class="left"> <b> Dr. Michael Brandt </b> , Board President (2010-2011), American Industrial Hygiene Association, Los Alamos, NM </div> <div class="clear"><!-- --></div> </li><li> <div class="left"> <b> Kelli Heflin </b> , Coordinator of Regulatory Compliance and Safety Manager, Scott’s Liquid Gold, Denver, CO </div> </li></ul>La Pine Redi Mix, Inc.http://www.blogger.com/profile/11461731568253083399noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6391323105131650335.post-14070727366286595972010-04-18T08:21:00.000-07:002010-04-18T08:27:01.953-07:00Washington D.C. Meeting:<span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold; color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">This is from the April 2010 OIAA Newsletter. I am posting it here so that you can use it as an idea for your state or region. ~ Kathy</span><br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">OIAA Director, Dan Kauffman has been working with Jim Sharpe of <span style="font-weight: bold;">Sharpe’s Point: The Newsletter on Safety and Health in Mining</span> regarding a meeting between Matt Bormet of Senator Ron Wyden’s office in Washington D.C. and Mr. Sharpe. <br /><br />Following is a summary of Jim’s meeting notes, along with suggestions for Mr. Wyden’s office to consider.<br /><br />“What MSHA is doing today is deeply troubling. The heavy hand of enforcement is hitting the small mines, who do not have deep resources. We are looking for a win-win scenario for everybody involved.<br /><br />There are unintended consequences to the MINER Act that has been passed by Congress. Mines have become safer, but MSHA has taken enforcement to the extreme. Economic survival is the issue now. Money spent on excessive fines is no longer available for capital investment, job hiring, raises, 401K’s, health benefits, and sometimes even safety improvements. There is also the hidden cost of abatement.<br /><br />Did Congress intend for any federal agency to exert this level of influence over such a vital sector of the economy? There is anger toward MSHA, and a backlash is coming. MSHA is making the federal government look bad.<br /><br />To turn this around, we are asking Sen. Wyden’s office to hold a hearing in Washington D.C. that is exclusively for Metal/Non-Metal, and build momentum for changing the civil penalty structure in that area of mining. We ask that you invite Oregon and other Pacific Northwest producers to testify at the hearing. Also, please direct MSHA to not terminate its Small Mine Office program. Ask them to expand it instead. In addition, we are asking Mr. Wyden’s office to do all they can to limit the fallout to the aggregate sector from the Big Branch tragedy. We urge you to oppose the expansion of the S-MINER legislation beyond coal mines.”</span>La Pine Redi Mix, Inc.http://www.blogger.com/profile/11461731568253083399noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6391323105131650335.post-53747977995043551052010-04-18T07:58:00.000-07:002010-04-18T08:32:39.950-07:00A Ready Made Letter to the Editor :<meta equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8"><meta name="ProgId" content="Word.Document"><meta name="Generator" content="Microsoft Word 12"><meta name="Originator" content="Microsoft Word 12"><link rel="File-List" href="file:///C:%5CUsers%5CKathy%5CAppData%5CLocal%5CTemp%5Cmsohtmlclip1%5C01%5Cclip_filelist.xml"><link rel="themeData" href="file:///C:%5CUsers%5CKathy%5CAppData%5CLocal%5CTemp%5Cmsohtmlclip1%5C01%5Cclip_themedata.thmx"><link rel="colorSchemeMapping" href="file:///C:%5CUsers%5CKathy%5CAppData%5CLocal%5CTemp%5Cmsohtmlclip1%5C01%5Cclip_colorschememapping.xml"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:worddocument> 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mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast; mso-hansi-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;} </style> <![endif]--> <p class="MsoNormal"><b style=""><i style=""><span style="line-height: 115%;font-family:";font-size:12pt;" >Jim Sharpe has written the following for Aggregate Producers to submit to their local newspaper editors.<span style=""> </span>Please make sure to give him credit by mentioning the information in the white box below.<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><b style=""><u><span style="line-height: 115%;font-family:";font-size:12pt;" >MSHA WOUNDS ITSELF WITH DECISION
<br /></span></u></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b style=""><u><span style="line-height: 115%;font-family:";font-size:12pt;" >TO DROP SMO<o:p></o:p></span></u></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="line-height: 115%;font-family:";font-size:12pt;" >MSHA has shot itself in the foot with its decision to eliminate its Small Mine Office (SMO).<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="line-height: 115%;font-family:";font-size:12pt;" >SMO is an important player within MSHA because of the vital role it plays in providing compliance assistance to small mines, especially in the dimension stone, sand & gravel and quarry sectors.<span style=""> </span>It also helps make mines safer.<span style=""> </span>Its demise will leave a serious void in MSHA’s resources for helping small mine operators.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="line-height: 115%;font-family:";font-size:12pt;" >MSHA’s decision is a self-inflicted injury for several reasons.<span style=""> </span>First, MSHA’s own data show SMO to be effective.<span style=""> </span>In a self-evaluation released in 2008, the Office reported a 66% decline in the fatal incidence rate among mines it had served over the previous 5-year period. SMO’s performance was sufficiently impressive to elicit a strong expression of praise recently from the agency’s own top policy official, Deputy Assistant Secretary Greg Wagner.<span style=""> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="line-height: 115%;font-family:";font-size:12pt;" >Thousands of small mines around the country don’t need Wagner to tell them what they already know: SMO is a valuable asset and a ray of sunshine amidst the otherwise dark shadow MSHA has been casting of late.<span style=""> </span>As we reported last month, 15 of 16 small operators who have used SMO reported being very pleased with the service.<span style=""> </span>In a<i style=""> </i>web-based<i style=""> </i>poll this month, 34 of 40 respondents did not favor SMO’s elimination.<span style=""> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="line-height: 115%;font-family:";font-size:12pt;" >The decision also makes the agency look bad because of the bumbling way MSHA went about it.<span style=""> </span>In January, an agency spokesperson said SMO will not be “dismantled.” At the same time, the agency gave at least four different reasons why it was looking at alternatives.<span style=""> </span>MSHA also said SMO’s compliance assistance function would continue.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="line-height: 115%;font-family:";font-size:12pt;" >But just days after promising not to terminate the Office, the agency released its FY 2011 budget justification statement to Congress.<span style=""> </span>It carried a line item stating that SMO would go, effective Oct. 1.<span style=""> </span>At the same time, the agency did not adequately explain how SMO’s critical compliance assistance functions would continue.<span style=""> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 115%;font-family:";font-size:12pt;" >MSHA said the 21 staffers at SMO would be assigned to enforcement and litigation duties within MSHA’s six metal/non-metal districts.<span style=""> </span>That change highlights another reason the decision is bad.<span style=""> </span>Assigning compliance assistance responsibilities to enforcers won’t work.<span style=""> </span></span><span style="line-height: 115%;font-family:";font-size:12pt;" >MSHA’s inspectors are </span><span style="line-height: 115%;font-family:";font-size:12pt;" >not dedicated to compliance assistance.<span style=""> </span>Enforcement is their mantra, their bread and butter, how they will ultimately be evaluated.<span style=""> </span>Any responsibility on top of that is apt to be seen as an imposition and resented.<span style=""> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 115%;font-family:";font-size:12pt;" >Nor can operators on the receiving end of this repackaged “compliance assistance” be expected to take it well.<span style=""> </span>Handing someone several thousand dollars in citations does not create a healthy atmosphere for a teachable moment.<span style=""> </span></span><span style="line-height: 115%;font-family:";font-size:12pt;" ><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% white;"><span style="line-height: 115%;font-family:";font-size:10pt;" >Just ask any newspaper that decides to run it to run this credit line: Adapted from an article published in <em><span style=";font-family:";" >Sharpe's Point</span></em>, a mining trade publication.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% white;"><span style="line-height: 115%;font-family:";font-size:10pt;" >James Sharpe, CIH
<br />Sharpe Media, LLC
<br />Publisher of Sharpe's Point, The Newsletter on Safety and Health in Mining
<br />4519 34th St. S.
<br />Arlington, VA 22206-1914
<br />703-379-0652 (o)
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<br /></span><a href="mailto:sharpemedia@verizon.net" title="mailto:sharpemedia@verizon.net"><span style="line-height: 115%;font-family:";font-size:10pt;" >sharpemedia@verizon.net</span></a><span style="line-height: 115%;font-family:";font-size:10pt;" > or </span><a href="mailto:grosharp@msn.com" title="mailto:grosharp@msn.com"><span style="line-height: 115%;font-family:";font-size:10pt;" >grosharp@msn.com</span></a><span style="line-height: 115%;font-family:";font-size:10pt;" >
<br /></span><a href="http://www.sharpespoint.com/" target="_blank" title="http://www.sharpespoint.com/"><span style="line-height: 115%;font-family:";font-size:10pt;" >www.sharpespoint.com</span></a><span style="line-height: 115%;font-family:";font-size:10pt;" ><o:p></o:p></span></p> La Pine Redi Mix, Inc.http://www.blogger.com/profile/11461731568253083399noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6391323105131650335.post-41880891860703597642010-04-18T07:56:00.001-07:002010-04-20T19:43:53.267-07:00HONK SO YOU DON'T GET FINED:<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2jkP8O-893JQbv01qpWa8S8N8hyphenhyphend5ZKXZvU1IrDkq5FFOSd05IXfLImvqjG5th5GmZ_5I1k23y5NgIw_zd1OeQnpbSksEc56UgHXRA4B0FjRjYG0lsvyQs6cAJKm4Uk72FWPCC2ViNbWa/s1600/honk.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 232px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2jkP8O-893JQbv01qpWa8S8N8hyphenhyphend5ZKXZvU1IrDkq5FFOSd05IXfLImvqjG5th5GmZ_5I1k23y5NgIw_zd1OeQnpbSksEc56UgHXRA4B0FjRjYG0lsvyQs6cAJKm4Uk72FWPCC2ViNbWa/s400/honk.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5461491664115849442" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /></span><span style="font-size:130%;">Remember to honk your horn if you move your vehicle (car, pickup, truck, loader, etc.) when you move either <i><b>forward</b></i> or <i><b>backward</b></i> at your mine site. Also, even personal vehicles need to be chocked when you are in the mining area. The rules say that if you are on flat ground, you don't need to, but do it anyway because some inspectors are handing out citations even then. </span><div style="text-align: left;"><p><span style="font-size:130%;">In addition, make sure that your toilets are flushed. Apparently, "if it's yellow, let it mellow" does not fly with some MSHA inspectors. Speaking of bathrooms, another operator who had 3 guys out in the woods rock crushing got fined for not having an outhouse available. </span></p><p><span style="font-size:130%;"> </span></p></div><p><span style="font-size:130%;">Keep the garbage can lids in your break room covered at all times. An Oregon mining operation got a ticket for an empty potato chip wrapper in an uncovered kitchen garbage can. True story.</span></p><p><span style="font-size:130%;">Then MSHA complains that everybody is fighting their citations and clogging up the court system for years. Even the little tickets above can go toward a Pattern of Violations history.</span><br /></p><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiL8GJHscCbUzfGVDNcciviAR8gupiMF-hRQ9YzUtRc4e4LVxyadX-EfdO3PRBLPnv_EJ-3xyNY0oOFuDmIUik7Y3pZzGc5_YqSBruhaIHfTim43SMdcMJ3LAuxb28sF0TrepHrLo2n6rlG/s1600/honk.jpg"><br /></a>La Pine Redi Mix, Inc.http://www.blogger.com/profile/11461731568253083399noreply@blogger.com0