Violation Reforms Improving Mine Safety Culture, MSHA Says

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In the mining industry, a pattern of violations (POV) notice is one of MSHA's "toughest enforcement actions," and according to the agency, is used only for mines that pose the most risk to the safety and health of its employees. MSHA Administrator Joseph Main says the agency's POV reforms have been "a game changer in mine safety and health culture." Main says that the efforts have reduced incidents for chronic violators and companies with a record of compliance problems.

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.