[Federal Register Volume 75, Number 174 (Thursday, September 9, 2010)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 54804-54805]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2010-22403]


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DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Mine Safety and Health Administration

30 CFR Chapter I

RIN 1219-AB71


Safety and Health Management Programs for Mines

AGENCY: Mine Safety and Health Administration, Labor.

ACTION: Notice of public meetings; notice of close of comment period.

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SUMMARY: The Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) will hold 
three public meetings to gather information about effective, 
comprehensive safety and health management programs at mines. Public 
meetings will include presentations on model programs by 
representatives from: Academia; safety and health professionals; 
industry organizations; worker organizations; and government agencies. 
Model programs should be designed to prevent injuries and illnesses, 
maintain compliance with the Federal Mine Safety and Health Act, safety 
and health standards and regulations, and include participation of 
everyone from the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) to workers and 
contractors. Model programs should involve hazard identification and 
control and training and retraining of workers. The Agency will use 
information from the meetings to help develop a proposed rule for 
Safety and Health Management Programs for mines which will allow miners 
and operators to be proactive in their approach to health and safety.

DATES: All comments must be received by midnight Eastern Standard Time 
on December 17, 2010. MSHA will hold three meetings on October 8, 2010, 
October 12, 2010, and October 14, 2010 at the locations listed in the 
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION section of this notice.

ADDRESSES: Comments must be identified with ``RIN 1219-AB71'' and may 
be sent by any of the following methods:
    (1) Federal e-Rulemaking Portal: http://www.regulations.gov. Follow 
the instructions for submitting comments.
    (2) Electronic mail: [email protected]. Include ``RIN 1219-
AB71'' in the subject line of the message.
    (3) Facsimile: 202-693-9441. Include ``RIN 1219-AB71'' in the 
subject line of the message.
    (4) Regular Mail: MSHA, Office of Standards, Regulations, and 
Variances, 1100 Wilson Boulevard, Room 2350, Arlington, Virginia 22209-
3939.
    (5) Hand Delivery or Courier: MSHA, Office of Standards, 
Regulations, and Variances, 1100 Wilson Boulevard, Room 2350, 
Arlington, Virginia. Sign in at the receptionist's desk on the 21st 
floor.
    Comments can be accessed electronically at http://www.msha.gov 
under the Rules and Regs link.
    Comments may also be reviewed at the Office of Standards, 
Regulations, and Variances, 1100 Wilson Boulevard, Room 2350, 
Arlington, Virginia. Sign in at the receptionist's desk on the 21st 
floor.
    MSHA maintains a list that enables subscribers to receive e-mail 
notification when rulemaking documents are published in the Federal 
Register. To subscribe, go to http://www.msha.gov/subscriptions/subscribe.aspx.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Patricia W. Silvey, Director, Office 
of Standards, Regulations, and Variances, MSHA, at 
[email protected] (e-mail), 202-693-9440 (voice), or 202-693-9441 
(facsimile).

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: All meetings will start at 9 a.m. and 
conclude by 5 p.m. The agenda for the meetings will include:
     Registration,
     Opening Statement,
     Presentations,
     Comments from the Public, and
     Closing Statement.
    MSHA requested academia, safety and health professionals, industry 
organizations, worker organizations, and government agencies to present 
information at these meetings on best practices for safety and health 
programs. MSHA is particularly interested in information on programs 
which include active involvement of workers from the development of the 
program through implementation to evaluation. Requests to present at a 
meeting may be made by telephone (202-693-9440), facsimile (202-693-
9441), or mail (MSHA, Office of Standards, Regulations and

[[Page 54805]]

Variances, 1100 Wilson Boulevard, Room 2350, Arlington, Virginia 22209-
3939).
    The meetings will be conducted in an informal manner. Presenters 
and attendees may provide written information to the court reporter for 
inclusion in the rulemaking record. MSHA will make transcripts of the 
meetings available on MSHA's Web site http://www.msha.gov, and include 
them in the rulemaking record.
    The meetings will be held on the following dates at the locations 
indicated:

 
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                    Date                                         Location                       Contact number
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October 8, 2010.............................  MSHA National Office, 1100 Wilson Boulevard,        (202) 693-9440
                                               25th Floor Conference Room, Arlington, VA
                                               22209.
October 12, 2010............................  Embassy Suites Sacramento-Riverwalk Promenade,      (916) 326-5000
                                               100 Capitol Mall, Sacramento, CA 95814.
October 14, 2010............................  Omni William Penn Hotel, 530 William Penn           (412) 281-7100
                                               Place, Pittsburgh, PA 15219.
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    MSHA has reviewed a number of guidelines for safety and health 
management programs, including:
     The Occupational Safety and Health Administration's 
(OSHA's) Voluntary Protection Program and its Safety and Health Program 
Management Guidelines;
     The American National Standards Institute's (ANSI's) and 
American Industrial Hygiene Association's (AIHA's) ANSI/AIHA's Z10-
2005, Occupational Health and Safety Management Systems;
     The International Standards Organization's (ISO's) ISO 
9001:2008 (E), Quality management systems--Requirements; and
     The British Standards Institution's (BSI's) BS OHSAS 
18001:2007, Occupational Health and Safety Assessment Series, 
Occupational health and safety management systems--Requirements.
    The Guidelines reveal that the components of effective safety and 
health management programs generally include:
    1. Management Commitment.
    2. Worker Involvement.
    3. Hazard Identification, including workplace inspections for 
violations of mandatory health and safety standards.
    4. Hazard Prevention and Control.
    5. Safety and Health Training.
    6. Program Evaluation.
    Year after year, many companies experience low injury and illness 
rates and low violation rates. For these companies, preventing harm to 
their workers is more than compliance with safety and health 
requirements; it reflects the embodiment of a culture of safety--from 
the CEO to the worker to the contractor. This culture of safety derives 
from a commitment to a systematic, effective, comprehensive safety and 
health management program, implemented with the full participation of 
all workers. MSHA understands that many companies have developed and 
implemented effective safety and health management programs. At the 
meetings, you will hear about some of these programs. The Agency is 
interested in receiving comments on all aspects of safety and health 
management programs.
    MSHA will accept written comments and information for the record 
from any interested party, including those not presenting oral 
statements.

    Dated: September 2, 2010.
Joseph A. Main,
Assistant Secretary of Labor, for Mine Safety and Health.
[FR Doc. 2010-22403 Filed 9-8-10; 8:45 am]
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