Why are we wearing blinders? MSHA’s Failure to account for

technological advances in mining

Presented toWest Virginia Coal Association Annual

Mining Symposium

Arthur M. Wolfson, Esquire401 Liberty Ave., Three Gateway Center, Suite 1500, Pittsburgh, PA 15222Phone: (412) 434-8055 Fax: (412) 434-8062awolfson@jacksonkelly.com • www.jacksonkelly.com

January 27, 2016

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Confidentiality Note: This presentation from the law office of Jackson Kelly PLLC is for the sole use of the intended viewers and contains confidential and privileged information. Any unauthorized review, use, disclosure, distribution, or other dissemination of this presentation and/or the information contained herein is strictly prohibited.

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• “[The Bill’s purpose is]…to authorize the Secretary…to conduct research in the field of…mine safety and health, and to develop innovative methods, techniques and approaches for dealing with…mine safety and health problems.”- H.R. 2060 (January 19, 1977)

• “It is the purpose of this Act…to improve and expand, in cooperation with the states and the coal or other mining industry, research and development…”- 30 U.S.C. §803(g)

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TECHNOLOGY ADVANCES• Proximity Detection• Electronic Surveying Instruments• Coal Dust Explosibility Meter (CDEM)• Personal Dust Monitors• Communications and Tracking• High Voltage Longwalls & Continuous Miners• CO and Atmospheric Monitoring• Horizontal Gas Well Plugging

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COMPLIANCE CONTEXTS• Approval by MSHA• Experimental Permits• Petitions for Modification• Rulemaking • Policy• Enforcement

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APPROVAL BY MSHA• Protracted Process• MSHA Controls

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SPECIAL PERMITS TO USE• Approval and Certification• 30 C.F.R. §18.82• Face equipment• Six months duration• Test or “reputable testing agency”

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PETITIONS FOR MODIFICATION• Section 101(c) of the Federal Mine Safety

and Health Act– Equal Measure of Protection– Diminution of Safety

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PROCESS• Submit petition to MSHA• MSHA investigates

– Long delays• Hearing before Department of Labor ALJ• Appeal to Assistant Secretary of Labor• Appeal to US Court of Appeals

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ELECTRONIC SURVEYING• For technology that has been in use for 20 years

– Permissibility• Delays in issuing Proposed Decisions• Delays in litigation

– Rosebud – 7 days of hearing over 15 months• Petitions filed• Hearings September 2011, August 2012,

November 2012• ALJ Decision, April 11, 2013

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ELECTRONIC SURVEYING (cont.)– Canyon Fuel

• Petitions filed July 2009• Hearing December 2013• ALJ Decision 2014• Appealed

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ELECTRONIC SURVEYING (cont.)• Get more than you ask for

– Surveying cases are example• Diagnostic and Testing Equipment Petitions That

Were Granted Have Fewer and Less Stringent Conditions

• Cutting and Welding Conditions

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RULEMAKING – NOTICE AND COMMENT

• MSHA views process as cumbersome• Proximity Detection & personal dust monitors• MSHA driven

– Personal dust monitors and CDEM– One manufacturer– Took 1 tool and applied in a fashion that it is not

best suited

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Is the technology ready for prime time?

• Proximity?– Poster child for good intentions gone wrong?

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MSHA CIRCUMVENTS RULEMAKING

• Using plans – proximity• Policy – communication and tracking

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ENFORCEMENT

• Do you get credit for preventive measures?– Belt fires– MSHA Report: “Reducing Belt Fires in

Underground Coal Mines”• 1980 to 2005: 63 reportable belt fires, zero

fatalities and zero lost time injuries.

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• Rockdust: a prime example– Change in procedure in 2013

• Samples taken separately• Sample location based on visual observation• Violation based on single sample

– Does it account for:• Error rate: might be as much as 8-12%• Duplicate difference from single batch• Quality control procedures

For more information on these and other occupational

safety and health topics, please visit:

http://safety-health.jacksonkelly.com/

Arthur M. Wolfson, Esquire401 Liberty Ave., Three Gateway Center, Suite 1500, Pittsburgh, PA 15222Phone: (412) 434-8055 Fax: (412) 434-8062awolfson@jacksonkelly.com • www.jacksonkelly.com