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David MichaelsAssistant Secretary of Labor for Occupational Safety and HealthOccupational Safety and Health Administration
Joseph MainAssistant Secretary of Labor for Mine Safety and HealthMine Safety and Health Administration
Patricia SilveyDeputy Assistant Secretary for Operations, Mine Safety and Health AgencyMine Safety and Health Administration
Dorothy DoughertyDeputy Assistant Secretary for Occupational Safety and HealthOccupational Safety and Health Administration
FY 16-17: Agency Priority Goal
Secure safe and healthy workplaces, particularly in high-risk industries.
Priority Goal
Goal Overview
Each year, thousands of workers are killed and millions are injured or made ill on the job due to unsafe and unhealthy working conditions.[1] Department of Labor (DOL) agencies charged with improving workplace safety and health will use rigorous enforcement, science-based rulemaking, and stakeholder involvement to achieve this crucial strategic goal.
All workers have a right to a safe and healthful work environment. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) conduct inspections and outreach in high-risk areas, and complete mandated enforcement activities. DOL expects these activities to have the greatest effect on overall compliance and the ultimate reduction in workplace injuries, fatalities and illnesses. Therefore, the Department will continue its commitment to the Agency Priority Goal of reducing injuries, illnesses and fatalities.
[1] 2011 Injuries, Illnesses and Fatalities. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Available at www.bls.gov/iif/.
Strategies
OSHA’s mission is to ensure safe and healthful working conditions for workers. OSHA accomplishes this mission under its statutory responsibility through the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970 (OSH Act), using enforcement, regulatory, and compliance assistance strategies. OSHA obtains compliance by setting and enforcing standards (such as through conducting physical inspections of worksites and facilities, along with appropriate penalties and citations that require hazard abatement); by encouraging cooperation between employers and employees to secure safe and healthy workplaces; and by providing training, outreach, education, and assistance. The tracking of abatement of workplace hazards related to falls serves as a valuable indicator of improvements in workplace safety. OSHA will meet this goal by continuing to implement inspection-emphasis programs that target high-hazard workplaces and serious fall hazards, including National Emphasis Programs, Local Emphasis Programs, the Severe Violators Enforcement Program, and the Construction Targeting Program, and by inspecting workplaces with potential serious fall hazards, as identified through imminent danger reports, fatality and severe injury reports, complaints, referrals, and follow-ups. In addition, OSHA will continue its compliance assistance and outreach programs to help employers and employees improve safety and health in the workplace. OSHA's outreach will continue with the Fall Prevention campaign and 2016 National Stand-Down in Construction.
MSHA's mission is to prevent death, disease, and injury from mining and to promote safe and healthful workplaces for the Nation’s miners. One measure of its success is the five-year rolling average of fatal injuries per 200,000 hours worked. This rate fell by 34 percent in six years - from 0.0187 in FY 2010 to 0.0123 in FY 2016. These reductions are attributed to a number of factors, including stronger enforcement and regulation, better use of technology, safer mining practice, and improved training. The goal of zero mining deaths - a day when fatal accidents in mining are an anomaly - has become more than just an aspiration. While mine closures had some impact, FY fatal rates show that 2016 was the safest year on record. Preliminary information for FY 2016 shows there were nine coal mining deaths, the lowest number of deaths in coal mining history in a fiscal year. These coal mining deaths in FY 2016 were down from 15 in FY 2015. That follows the trend in CY 2015 in the coal mining industry with the fewest deaths in mining history at 12. For metal nonmetal mining, preliminary information for FY 2016 shows there were 16 metal nonmetal deaths, down from the 23 deaths in FY 2015. In response to the trend of increased metal and nonmetal mining deaths that began in late 2013, MSHA has enhanced enforcement, and conducted extensive education and outreach. MSHA has engaged with stakeholders and issued policy and informational notices to bring about improved mine site examinations and safety and health programs. MSHA initiated quarterly calls with mining industry trainers to update them on training matters and get their feedback on how we can help them to better train up our Nation’s miners to make mines safer.
The foundation of MSHA's enforcement regime is the mandatory inspections it conducts at every mine, two times per year at surface mines and four times per year at underground mines. This universal enforcement program has been critical in providing protections to all miners and advancing a culture of safety and health in the mining industry. But mandatory inspections do more than create a blanket of protection for all miners; they are the key to MSHA's ability to focus attention on the greatest areas of need in preventing deaths, injuries and illnesses on both a "micro" and "macro" level. By providing MSHA a comprehensive and dynamic knowledge base about health and safety in the industry, the data collected through the inspection process enables MSHA to both intervene at the mine level when it identifies serious violators of the Mine Act, and monitor and address health and safety trends on an industry-wide or sector-wide basis. MSHA's strategies for targeted enforcement of safety standards using this data include: Targeting Impact inspections; Implementing Pattern of Violations; Rules to Live By; Enhanced enforcement of examinations requirements for operator compliance (Final exam rule); Special Enforcement review for injunctive action candidates and the Scofflaw Program.
MSHA will apply targeted inspections based on mine conditions, screen mines for inclusion in the Pattern of Violations program, and in egregious cases of non-compliance will work the Office of the Solicitor (SOL) to seek injunctive relief or pursue criminal actions against scofflaw operators. These programs allow MSHA to use its authority under the Federal Mine Safety Act of 1977 (Mine Act) and the associated health and safety standards and regulations to bring chronic violators into compliance. MSHA will also continue working with its Internal Review team to increase enforcement effectiveness and efficiency.
As a result of the increase in metal and nonmetal mining deaths, MSHA has increased communication and sharing of best practices with mine associations and operators. More than 300 trainers have joined a quarterly call and more than 7,000 have signed up for email alerts on training issues. In addition, MSHA enforcement personnel conducted safety "walks and talks" with miners and operators to increase awareness of recent fatalities and encourage them to apply their safety training and remain vigilant for unsafe conditions.
Progress Update
Fall protection continues to be the number one violation cited by OSHA. Falls are also the leading cause of death in the construction industry and account for 20 percent of all serious injuries. OSHA has national and local emphasis plans (NEPs and LEPs), as well as a Strategic Plan that directs Compliance Officers (CSHOs) to those establishments with the most significant risk of fall hazards. This level of attention and proactive enforcement will directly impact the workers at these establishments by requiring abatement. More generally, this enforcement activity will alert and educate other employers about fall hazards in the industries affected and in the local areas. It will also serve to incentivize employers to proactively assess and address fall hazards in order to avoid enforcement actions.
OSHA will also address establishments and corporations which have been shown to have serious fall hazards and react with callous indifference to serious fall hazards. OSHA has several programs which can be applied to achieve positive outcomes in these situations. These programs include the Severe Violators Enforcement Program and the Corporate-Wide Settlement Agreement program.
Since October 2015, nine fatalities and more than 1,100 nonfatal accidents have occurred in the nation’s coal mines, resulting in restricted duty, missed days at work, and permanent disabilities for the miners who worked there. While injury rates have been fairly consistent during this time period, records indicate a trend in accidents resulting in more serious injuries. The circumstances in at least 30 of the accidents might have led to fatalities. On August 29, 2016, MSHA implemented a call to safety to all coal miners, both underground and surface. Inspectors engaged coal miners and mine operators in “walk and talks” through September 30, reminding them to “stop and take a breath” before proceeding with the next task at hand.
MSHA continues to focus on three significant final rules. MSHA is working on a final rule to require underground coal operators to equip coal hauling machines and scoops with proximity detection systems that provide a warning and stop mobile machines before a pinning, crushing, or striking accident occurs that could result in injury or death to miners. MSHA is developing a final rule on Examinations of Working Places in Metal and Nonmetal Mines. MSHA is developing a proposed rule on respirable crystalline silica in metal and nonmetal mines.
The Funding Opportunity Announcement for the Fiscal Year 2016 Brookwood-Sago Grant closed on September 9, 2016. Grant recipients are scheduled to be announced in early FY 2017. The purpose of these grants is to provide training to improve and secure safe and healthy workplaces for U.S. miners. Click here for more information on the Brookwood-Sago Mine Safety Grants program.
MSHA continues to use improved practices begun after the UBB disaster to address noncompliance. MSHA's Impact Inspection program, targeting specific mines with compliance problems, is an important tool in agency enforcement efforts. Many of the inspections conducted under this program identified and cited previously concealed hazards and focused on poor compliance history or particular compliance concerns. Evidence indicates this approach is working. From April 2010 through September 2016, MSHA conducted 1,123 impact inspections and issued 16,841 citations, 1,324 orders and 61 safeguards. A review of mines that received impact inspections since April 2010 shows that overall compliance is improving at these mines. These enforcement efforts along with MSHA's other initiatives such as the "Rules to Live By," have significantly impacted the top mining industry violators. Moreover, the number of significant and substantial (S&S) violations dropped 39 percent at the top 200 mines nationally since the 2010 POV reforms were put in place.
Efforts to lower levels of respirable coal mine dust and silica in the nation’s coal mines remain on track. Since the 2009 launch of the “End Black Lung – Act Now” campaign, average respirable dust levels have decreased annually. Dust sampling results for FY 2016, collected under the respirable coal dust rule that went into effect in August 2014, dropped to historic lows.
Metal and Nonmetal and EPD continue to work on training and assistance activities to prepare the mining industry for full implementation of the Mine Act compliance in U.S. Territories - Guam, American Samoa and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands. MSHA has established a Cooperative Agreement with each Territory, which will provide grant funding for training and education programs for miners.
Next Steps
OSHA
- OSHA will track abatement of workplace hazards as an indicator of whether workplaces are being made safer and healthier. (FY 2017)
- OSHA will continue to implement inspection-emphasis programs targeting high-hazard workplaces and serious fall hazards. (FY 2017)
- OSHA will continue to inspect workplaces with potential serious fall hazards identified through imminent danger reports, fatality and severe injury reports, complaints, referrals and follow-ups. (FY 2017)
- OSHA will continue to provide compliance assistance and outreach to help employers and employees improve safety and health in the workplace. (FY 2017)
MSHA
- MSHA will conduct mandated inspections of all underground mines four times per year and all active surface mines twice per year, as required by the Mine Act. (FY 2017)
- MSHA will continue to conduct impact inspections on mines with specific conditions, problems or compliance issues that merit increased agency attention and enforcement due to their prior compliance history or particular compliance concern. (FY 2017)
- MSHA will continue to focus on the implementation of safety-enhancing technology to prevent the persistent cause of death in mining from miners pinned, crushed or struck by mobile equipment particularly by continuous mining machines in underground mines. (FY 2017)
- MSHA will enforce and monitor adherence to the final rule that addresses examinations or work areas in underground coal mines. (FY 2017)
- MSHA will apply its revised pattern of violations regulation to mine operators that demonstrate a disregard for the safety and health of miners. (FY 2017)
- MSHA will continue its “Rules to Live By” education program, which focuses attention on safety standards most commonly associated with mining deaths. (FY 2017)
- MSHA will continue to educate hazards that might result in the injury, illness or death of miners. (FY 2017)
- MSHA will continue to conduct safety talks during inspections, with particular emphasis on task training and operator examination programs. (FY 2017)
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Performance Indicators
Number of hazards abated associated with falls in general industry
Number of hazards abated associated with falls in construction
Five-year rolling average of fatal injuries per 200,000 hours worked (All MSHA Rate) / Five-year total of hours worked
Contributing Programs & Other Factors
Federal Agencies: EPA, NRC and USDA (through cooperative MOUs)
DOL Agencies: OSHA, SOL, OTI
https://osha.gov/dte/oti/index.html
Programs: Fall Strategic plan, National Emphasis Program, Severe Violators Emphasis Program, Corporate-Wide Settlement Agreement program, Site-Specific Targeting Program
Expand All
Strategic Goals
Strategic Goal:
Ensure workplaces are safe and healthy
Statement:
Ensure workplaces are safe and healthy
Strategic Objectives
Statement:
Secure safe and healthy workplaces, particularly in high-risk industries.
Description:
In the wealthiest Nation on earth, no mother or father should have to die for a paycheck. America’s working men and women deserve the opportunity to provide for their families without unnecessary risk to their health, safety, and livelihood. The Labor Department both promotes and protects the opportunity that has made America the country it is today, and American families are safer, more secure, and more prosperous because of it.
All workers have a right to a safe and healthful work environment. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) recognize that some workers are more vulnerable than others and that some workplaces are more hazardous than others. By strategically scheduling inspections and outreach in high-risk areas, in addition to completing mandated enforcement activity, DOL expects to have the greatest effect on overall compliance. With more employers in compliance, workplace injuries, fatalities, and illnesses should decline – the ultimate outcome for DOL and American workers and a critical component of the Secretary’s vision.
Agency Priority Goals
Statement:
By September 30, 2015, increase the number of abated workplace hazards associated with falls, through inspections at workplaces covered by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, and reduce worker fatality rates in mining by five percent per year based on a rolling five-year average.
Description:
Each year, thousands of workers are killed and millions are injured on the job due to unsafe working conditions.[1] Department of Labor (DOL) agencies charged with improving workplace safety and health will use rigorous enforcement, science-based rulemaking, and stakeholder involvement to achieve this crucial strategic goal.
All workers have a right to a safe and healthful work environment. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) recognize that some workers are more vulnerable than others and that some workplaces are more hazardous than others. By strategically conducting inspections and outreach in high-risk areas, in addition to completing mandated enforcement activity, DOL expects to have the greatest effect on overall compliance. With more employers in compliance, workplace injuries, fatalities, and illnesses should decline – the ultimate outcome for DOL and American workers.
Therefore, the Department will continue its commitment to the Agency Priority Goal of reducing injuries, illnesses and fatalities.
[1] 2011 Injuries, Illnesses and Fatalities. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Available at www.bls.gov/iif/.
Strategic Objectives
Strategic Objective:
Secure safe and healthy workplaces, particularly in high-risk industries
Statement:
Secure safe and healthy workplaces, particularly in high-risk industries.
Description:
In the wealthiest Nation on earth, no mother or father should have to die for a paycheck. America’s working men and women deserve the opportunity to provide for their families without unnecessary risk to their health, safety, and livelihood. The Labor Department both promotes and protects the opportunity that has made America the country it is today, and American families are safer, more secure, and more prosperous because of it.
All workers have a right to a safe and healthful work environment. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) recognize that some workers are more vulnerable than others and that some workplaces are more hazardous than others. By strategically scheduling inspections and outreach in high-risk areas, in addition to completing mandated enforcement activity, DOL expects to have the greatest effect on overall compliance. With more employers in compliance, workplace injuries, fatalities, and illnesses should decline – the ultimate outcome for DOL and American workers and a critical component of the Secretary’s vision.
Agency Priority Goals
Statement: By September 30, 2015, increase the number of abated workplace hazards associated with falls, through inspections at workplaces covered by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, and reduce worker fatality rates in mining by five percent per year based on a rolling five-year average.
Description: Each year, thousands of workers are killed and millions are injured on the job due to unsafe working conditions.[1] Department of Labor (DOL) agencies charged with improving workplace safety and health will use rigorous enforcement, science-based rulemaking, and stakeholder involvement to achieve this crucial strategic goal. All workers have a right to a safe and healthful work environment. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) recognize that some workers are more vulnerable than others and that some workplaces are more hazardous than others. By strategically conducting inspections and outreach in high-risk areas, in addition to completing mandated enforcement activity, DOL expects to have the greatest effect on overall compliance. With more employers in compliance, workplace injuries, fatalities, and illnesses should decline – the ultimate outcome for DOL and American workers. Therefore, the Department will continue its commitment to the Agency Priority Goal of reducing injuries, illnesses and fatalities. [1] 2011 Injuries, Illnesses and Fatalities. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Available at www.bls.gov/iif/.
