U.S. Department of Labor
Mine Safety and Health Administration
Protecting Miners' Safety and Health Since
1978
MSHA News Release:
[10/04/2007]
Contact: Matthew Faraci
Amy
Louviere
Phone: (202) 693-9406
(202)
693-9423
Release Number 07-1537-NAT
MSHA announces
"100 percent plan"
Plan will ensure completion of all
mandated regular inspections
ARLINGTON, VA
- The U.S. Department of Labor's Mine Safety and Health
Administration (MSHA) has announced a new initiative to complete 100
percent of mandated regular inspections for all coal mines in the
country.
"Due to the large number of inspector-trainees
replacing retired or departing inspectors, MSHA has faced challenges
in completing regular safety and health inspections," said Richard
E. Stickler, assistant secretary of labor for mine safety and
health. "The 100 Percent Plan will ensure that MSHA has the
necessary resources to fully enforce the Mine Act."
Under
the Federal Mine Safety and Health Act of 1977, only fully
accredited inspectors (Authorized Representatives or ARs) have the
authority to conduct inspections and issue citations. When
inspector-trainees are hired, they must complete extensive training
at the Mine Health and Safety Academy in Beckley, West Virginia, in addition
to fulfilling on-the-job training requirements, before becoming
Authorized Representatives.
Since July 2006, MSHA has hired
more than 273 new inspector-trainees. Once these new inspectors
receive their AR certifications, MSHA's coal enforcement ranks will
be at their highest level since 1994.
MSHA's new 100 Percent
Plan calls for the temporary reassignment of MSHA inspectors to
areas where they are most needed and provides for increased overtime
for additional hours needed to complete inspections until all
trainees are fully qualified.
Editor's Note: The data below indicates inspection completion
rates in coal mines from fiscal years 2000 through 2006. Fiscal year
2007 data are not yet available.
Inspection Completion Rates in Coal Mines
and Facilities
Fiscal Years 2000 through 2006
|
All Coal Mines and Facilities |
District |
2000 |
2001 |
2002 |
2003 |
2004 |
2005 |
2006* |
1 |
100.0% |
99.7% |
99.7% |
99.7% |
100.0% |
100.0% |
100.0% |
2 |
96.4% |
97.5% |
96.6% |
95.0% |
98.0% |
98.2% |
96.1% |
3 |
99.3% |
97.1% |
97.8% |
99.3% |
99.5% |
99.0% |
98.0% |
4 |
99.2% |
98.1% |
98.9% |
98.6% |
97.9% |
98.0% |
82.4% |
5 |
99.6% |
98.4% |
99.3% |
99.8% |
99.0% |
98.8% |
100.0% |
6 |
99.4% |
98.0% |
99.9% |
99.1% |
98.6% |
100.0% |
100.0% |
7 |
99.7% |
98.5% |
100.0% |
99.9% |
99.7% |
100.0% |
100.0% |
8 |
100.0% |
96.9% |
100.0% |
100.0% |
100.0% |
100.0% |
87.2% |
9 |
99.0% |
97.8% |
98.1% |
99.6% |
99.3% |
100.0% |
97.9% |
10 |
100.0% |
97.2% |
99.2% |
100.0% |
100.0% |
100.0% |
100.0% |
11 |
98.3% |
99.1% |
96.3% |
97.4% |
96.6% |
97.9% |
100.0% |
National Total |
99.1% |
98.1% |
98.9% |
98.8% |
98.9% |
99.2% |
95.1% |
* The data for
fiscal year 2006 includes 51 regular inspections that were closed
but not completed.
Mine Safety and Health
Administration (MSHA)
1100 Wilson Boulevard, 21st
Floor
Arlington, VA 22209-3939
