MSHA's (Mine Safety and Health Administration's) Process for Determining the Chargeability of Reported Fatalities Would Benefit from Additional Controls

摘要

Federal regulations require mine contractors and operators to report all fatalities to the Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA). Criteria established by MSHA classify a fatality as chargeable to the mine industry if the incident resulted in a death on mine property and from mine related work or the death was caused by mining activities. The number of chargeable fatalities impacts MSHAs performance measures and potentially the publics perception of how well it is fulfilling its mission. During Calendar Year 2006, there were 145 reported fatalities at U.S. mining operations. Of these, MSHA determined 72 to be chargeable. In January 2007, MSHA initiated and completed an in-house review of how it determined which reported fatalities were chargeable. As a result, on February 9, 2007, MSHAs Assistant Secretary revised the procedure and changed the members of the Fatality Review Committee.