MSHA says it never planned to close Small Mine Office

The National Stone, Sand & Gravel Association (NSSGA) reports that the Mine Safety & Health Administration (MSHA) has decided to "reverse its earlier effort to dismantle its Small Mine Office (SMO)." However, in a direct response to a Pit & Quarry inquiry, an MSHA official responded, "We never dismantled or planned to dismantle, the Small Mine Office. We have no control over what other organizations announce."
 
The story first broke with an NSSGA press release. Joy Wilson, NSSGA president and CEO, said, “We are very pleased that a bipartisan mix of congressional leaders who deal with MSHA policy and budget appropriations recognize the critical importance of the agency’s robust compliance assistance to small aggregates facilities so that operators can optimally manage the safety and health of their employees.
 
"Further," Wilson continued, "given the Mine Act’s requirement that the government should provide effective compliance assistance, we see this move as imperative." Wilson added that the NSSGA, its members and other advocates have broadcast the merits of SMO’s programs.
 
Wilson indicated MSHA’s surprise decision is sure to please operators of small stone, sand and gravel mines and noted it allows for SMO to retain its traditional form and independence from MSHA’s inspectorate.
 According to NSSGA, the Small Mine Office has been directed to hire additional compliance officers to assist small mine operators in complying with standards and managing for safety and health.

To comment on this story or for additional details click on related button above.