Labor ledger [2023 : September-October]

и— * Tweet September-October 2023 IMCDOL N. C. Department of Labor Josh Dobson, Commissioner www.labor.nc.gov 1-800-625-2267 .ПШШ Mining Industry Conference Rocks Its Way Into Western North Carolina By John Mallow, Public Information Officer [he 2023 Mine Safety and Health Conference took place Wednesday, Sept. 13 through Friday, Sept. 15 at Harrah’s Cherokee Casino and Resort, presented by the N.C. Aggregates Association in partnership with the N.C. Department of Labor (NCDOL). A variety of speakers and presenters held seminars as well as many exhibitors were in attendance to showcase the new and exciting technologies being developed for the mining industry. As referenced in the title of the conference, the overarching theme that remained evident throughout the conference was the focus on the safety of the miners working in the industry. The conference kicked off on Wednesday with a safety and health committee meeting followed by an update from Beau Thomas, NCDOL’s Mine and Quarry bureau chief. Thomas emphasized the bureau’s role within the scope of upholding the N.C. Mine Safety and Health Act, enacted in 1975, as well as the 1977 federal act enforced by the U.S. Department of Labor (USDOL). NCDOL’s Mine and Quarry Bureau acts not as an enforcement arm, which the USDOL does, instead taking a more proactive approach. “They run parallel, as far as the standards, and ways that we try to accomplish tasks within the parameters of the standards is by supporting the mines and helping with any compliance problems," Thomas said. “We primarily focus on training, making sure the miners and contractors have the required training so that they can do their jobs safely. That’s what the goal is — to be a resource for our mines throughout the state.” The seminars also featured new information regarding potential changes to federal regulations regarding respirable crystalline silica dust exposure and sampling methods to detect and mitigate these risks that miners often face on the job. One of the most impactful changes affecting the mining industry is a ruling proposed by the Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSH A) that would work to better combat miners’ exposure to silica dust by reducing the permissible exposure limit (PEL) by 50%. MSHA’s current dust exposure standard is only specific to coal miner dust standards and sets the PEL at 50 micrograms. There is also currently no separate standard for silica dust. “MSHA’s proposal would require exposure monitoring, sampling and quantitative, qualitative evaluations and corrective actions when miners’ exposure exceeds the proposed PEL,” MSHA Deputy Assistant Secretary for Operations, Patricia Silvey, said during a public hearing regarding the proposed rule change. “For the first time, MSHA would be able to issue citations for overexposure to the proposed silica PEL.” There was also a Q&A session with Brian Thompson, district manager of the Birmingham, AL, MSHA field office. A point raised by attendees during the session highlighted the need for more expedient inspections when mine operators are issued a citation. Thompson addressed the impact of having fewer inspectors to cover an entire district, a problem facing many regulatory agencies. He offered advice on some ways that mining operations can work better with MSHA inspectors to increase the efficiency of the inspection process given those limited resources. “Technically, your first informal conference is when they hand you the paper, and they tell you, ‘Here’s the citation.’ That’s your first opportunity for an informal conference — explain what’s there, why it’s there, what happened,” Thompson said. “So, before the mine inspector has left the property, you’ve had those opportunities to have an informal conference. The whole intent is to make it right.” Scott Mabry, NCDOL chief of staff, similarly addressed the crowd during Thursday’s general session. Even within the mining industry itself, hiring and retention remains a chief concern for employers. Mabry offered advice on creating a safe workplace as well as a productive one by utilizing NCDOL’s resources. , , c continued on page 3 NCDOL stuff traveled to Cherokee to participate in the 2023 Mine Safety and Health Conference, held Sept. 13-15. Pictured from left to right are Phil Hooper, Standards and Inspections Division: Bryan Hoilman, Mine and Quarry Bureau: Marcia Page, Mine and Quarry Bureau: Beau Thomas, Mine and Quarry Bureau: and Dan Maltfield, Mine and Quarry Bureau.