Brian Goepfert, Administrator for Mine Safety and Health Enforcement for the Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA), appeared on the America’s Work Force Union Podcast and discussed efforts to reduce struck-by accidents in the mining industry.
The Mine Safety and Health Administration is an agency of the U.S. Department of Labor that works to improve safety and health conditions for all U.S. miners.
Goepfert talked about the importance of monthly inspections at U.S. mines, which can reveal safety issues. Unfortunately, in spite of constant surveillance, substantial violations are not being reported by inspectors. These violations often take place in mines with non-union workers, but occasionally happen in mines where union members work. As a former inspector, he saw miners, especially non-union miners, ignore safety requirements, which created a high potential for accidents. Other accidents, including struck-bys, are caused by inadequate training, Goepfert added.
He then explained MSHA’s plan to improve the safety of mines in the U.S. MSHA has pushed for more training, which resulted in more miners earning safety certifications. Thanks to the additional safety training, now there are fewer accidents.
Listen to the entire episode: