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MSHA reports that before 2010, no mine had ever been issued a POV in the history of the Mine Safety and Health Act of 1977. Since 2010, under the Act the agency can issue POVs to mines that have a disregard for the safety and health of miners. "The unacceptable violation records once held by top chronic violators, such as Upper Big Branch, are becoming a thing of the past," says Main. "The POV reforms have sent a message that chronic violator behavior will no longer be tolerated and have elevated the safety culture in the nation's mines."
For more information on how a POV process works, visit www.msha.gov.