Coal mines with a pattern of safety violations will be subject to quicker closure under a new rule that will go in effect on March 25, 2013. The Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) has always had authority to close a mine that had a pattern of safety violations, but did not do so for 33 years, until 2011. The new rule will do two things: (1) safety citations that the mine has appealed may now be counted toward finding a pattern of safety violations; and, (2) MSHA does not have to inform the mining company that it is considering a mine to have a pattern of safety violations.
Bill Estep reports in the Lexington Herald-Leader, Rule Change Makes It Easier to Crack Down on Rogue Coal Mines, Regulator Says.
