Well-established safety regulations and adherence to proper guidelines, make a life-and-death difference, particularly in hazardous working situations like in a mining site. The mining industry is evolving to make the working environment safer and healthier through the passing of laws, establishment of organizations, and enforcement regulations. MSHA and MSHA-certified contractors have had a significant impact on the safety conditions in the Florida mining industry. These are discussed in detail ahead.
What is MSHA?
Short for Mine Safety and Health Administration, MSHA is a federal agency in the U.S. Department of Labor. It is governed under the Federal Mine Safety and Health Act of 1977 (Public Law 95-164), commonly known as the Mine Act. The main purpose of this agency is to ensure safety and proper working conditions for the miners in all the mines within the stretch of the country. With the mission to “prevent death, illness, and injury from mining and promote safe and healthful workplaces for U.S. miners”, MSHA has successfully taken down miner fatality numbers from 242 in 1978 to 29 in 2022.
MSHA is responsible for enforcing safety and health regulations for mine workers nationwide. Here are some key roles that it performs in the course of ensuring safe working conditions-
- Regular Inspections- MSHA conducts regular inspections and has an open warrant for all mining facilities which means that they are allowed to inspect without prior notice and non-compliance can result in a $50,000 fine or enforcement actions.
- Training and Education- Miners and contractors can receive training and education materials from MSHA which includes emergency response and other safety-related data and information.
- Accident Investigation- In the unfortunate event of a mine accident, MSHA officials conduct an investigation to determine the cause of the accident and make amends in safety regulations.
- Research and Development- MSHA is also involved in the research and development of new and advanced technologies that promise to enhance the safety conditions in a mining site.
- MSHA Contractor Certifications- Contractors in the mining industry who are successful in meeting certain safety and health standards are certified by the MSHA as eligible to work within the industry.
Who is an MSHA-Certified Contractor?
In simple terms, an MSHA-certified contractor is an independent contractor or subcontractor who has been approved and certified by the Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA), a U.S. federal agency, to undertake critical work projects in mine areas. It is an essential certification that is required by the contractor to showcase their competence and to be legally eligible to work on a mining site.
Basic Requirements for an MSHA Contractor Certification
An MSHA contractor certification is an important eligibility criterion to be fulfilled by any contractor looking to work in the mining industry. It helps them gain the required knowledge of necessary safety precautions and emergency actions to be taken in case of any mishap while working in a mining site.
The certification-seeking contractor must have a valid legal business status and demonstrable relevant experience in the field. Further, they must show their financial capability to effectively handle mining projects while maintaining proper standards. A state license and meeting insurance requirements are also among the prerequisites. Apart from these, some of the specific guidelines and requirements to be fulfilled for the certification are-
- Training- Both contractors as well as workers need to undertake MSHA training to work on a mining site. Based on the type of mine and project, it can be a Part 46 or Part 48 training.
- Site-Specific Hazard Training- Employees or workers may need to undergo this training to be able to tackle the dangers present at a particular mine site.
- Record of Training- Contractors should have proper documentation and records of the training conducted for themselves and the workers for at least 2 years.
- Contractor Safety Programs- Safety programs implemented for the workers must align with the MSHA regulations and take hazards associated with mining into account.
- Equipment- The contractor must have ownership or access to high-quality and well-maintained equipment that meets MSHA standards for the mining work.
Difference Between Part 46 and Part 48 Training
Part 46 and Part 48 are both safety regulations issued by MSHA, and it is easy to get confused between them. MSHA defines different safety regulations and training requirements for various mining conditions. Here are some significant differences between part 46 and part 48 training–
Type of Mine:
The most fundamental difference between both sets of regulations is the type of mine they cover. On a basic level, part 46 pertains to surface mining projects, while part 48 covers underground mining projects. However, some other affecting factors include the commodity being mined and the exact location where the operation is to be conducted in the mine.
Training Requirements:
Another important differentiating factor is the training requirements in both cases. Both kinds of training have some overlapping requirements, however, they differ in terms of the training required to begin mine work, the deadline for completing training after joining mine work, and factors like location, time, and required trainer.
Flexibility in Enforcement:
Owing to the difference in the level of risk involved, regulatory enforcement is more stringent and rigid for part 48 than for part 46. For example, Part 46 miners can be trained by any person deemed competent by the mine operator in relevant subjects, whereas Part 48 miners are required to be trained by an MSHA-approved instructor.
What makes an MSHA-certified contractor better?
A certified MSHA contractor has to undergo strict training and follow stringent guidelines set by MSHA to obtain the certification, and there are several reasons why they perform better than non-certified ones-
Established Expertise
Due to rigorous training and examinations on safety and health regulations required for the certification, MSHA contractors have proven competency in working on a mining site safely and efficiently.
Accountability
Certified contractors are held responsible and penalized for any non-compliant action or violation of MSHA regulations regarding mine safety. Hence, they are most likely to establish and follow safety protocols in their working area.
Safety Assurance
An MSHA contractor certificate serves as proof of the contractor’s commitment to safety in the workplace. Subject to inspections and audits by MSHA officials, they maintain safety standards religiously.
Better Performance
With specialized training, exposure, and knowledge of possible hazards, as well as access to precautionary and remedial equipment, certified MSHA contractors are able to perform more efficiently on a mining site.
Benefits of Hiring an MSHA-Certified Contractor
Hiring an MSHA-certified contractor for a mine-related project is a wise choice for more than one reason. Apart from having a highly efficient team with intense training that is likely to perform the task with utmost sincerity, they also offer additional benefits to the miners.
Reduced Legal Obligations:
MSHA-certified contractors are held accountable for any accidents or injuries that may happen in the mine, saving mine operators from liability. This creates vigilance and proactiveness about safety and training in MSHA contractors.
Improved Productivity:
Certified contractors and their teams are well aware of the safety regulations, which minimizes the possible disruptions due to accidents. This leads to reduced downtime and enhanced productivity in the workplace.
Less Cost:
Working with MSHA-certified contractors enables the mine operators to fully rely on them for safety equipment and training. This saves expenses due to fines, lawsuits, etc, ultimately reducing the overall cost.
Better Reputation:
MSHA-certified contractors hold a high reputation in the industry. The certificate is an indicator of work quality and dedication, which translates to attracting clients and building trust among the stakeholders.
Shared Responsibility:
An MSHA-certified contractor is fully capable of handling critical tasks with proper safety measures, and this allows the mine operators to focus on other operational activities that ensure smooth running of the mine.
Florida Mining Industry
Florida is home to a diverse mining industry that significantly contributes to the state’s economy. Known for its mineral production, Florida is the leading producer of attapulgite, peat, and phosphate rock. Since the beginning of commercial mining in the late 19th century, Florida has come a long way, being one of the leading mineral producers and giving the state’s economy a major boost.
The National Mining Association (NMA) shared some crucial numbers regarding the industry, and the data reveals that the Florida mining industry creates a total of 60,388 direct and indirect jobs and makes a revenue of about $5,375 million.
In addition to supplying 75% of the USA’s phosphate rock requirements, Florida is also a major producer of various minerals, including limestone, cement, peat, sand, and gravel.
Although Florida has a profitable mineral mining industry, factors like energy cost, competition with other states and countries, and infrastructural and technical advancements pose challenges in its way.
Many mines in the state of Florida are working through these challenges by establishing energy-efficient equipment, opting for technologically advanced methods, and investing in their infrastructure.
Different Mining Sectors in Florida
While the Florida mining industry mainly constitutes mineral production, the state also conducts some metal and non-mental mining that contribute to the overall impact of the mining activities. The various sectors are discussed below.
Mineral Mining
Florida has a varied and wide-scale mineral production history that dates back to the late 19th century. The rich mineral deposit of the state plays an important role in catering to a substantial percentage of the country’s mineral requirement and brings back handsome revenue. Here’s a quick overview of the major minerals the state of Florida produces:
Phosphate:
The Bone Valley region in central Florida (Polk, Hillsborough, Manatee, and Hardee counties) is home to phosphate mines containing huge amounts of phosphate rock deposits that make up 90% of the state’s mineral production. There are 27 phosphate mines in Florida that are spread over about 450,000 acres of land. The mineral is mainly used in fertilizers.
Staurolite:
Florida is the only state with sizable staurolite ore, conducting commercial staurolite mineral mining. The mining in Florida occurs mainly in Alachua, Baker, and Gilchrist counties, and it has ornamental uses, such as making jewelry.
Attapulgite:
Attapulgite or fuller’s earth mining occurs in the northwestern part of Florida in the Gadsden and Washington counties. There are 10 attapulgite mines in the state. Attapulgite is known for its absorbent properties and has various industrial applications.
Metal Mining
Although metal mining has not flourished in the state of Florida as much due to a lack of ore and other hurdles, such as transportation, there have been small-scale iron ore mining in the Suwannee River Basin and Hillsborough County. Some iron ore mines in Hillsborough are Big Four Mine, Boyette-Fishhawk, Hillsborough Co.- Farmland/Brewster, and Hopewell Mine.
Heavy Mineral Mining
Sharing similar mining procedures, heavy mineral mining has been a significant contributor to the industry in the state. Heavy minerals include zircon, staurolite, and the titanium minerals. There are two active and two inactive heavy mineral mines in Florida.
Organic Material Mining
The sector of organic material mining in Florida mainly consists of peat extraction, a partially decayed soil-like plant matter that is found almost all over Florida. While peat is abundantly available in the state, the most significant peat mines are located in central Florida. Peat is used for agricultural purposes or as a source of fuel in various industries.
Active Mines in Significant Mining Counties in Florida
Various metal, mineral, and organic mines are present in distinct counties of the United States. Some of the most significant active mines in the country are given below.
| County | Active Mines |
|---|---|
| Alachua County - Pop. 250,000 | 5 |
| Madison County - Pop. 19,000 | 1 |
| Suwannee County - Pop. 42,000 | 5 |
| Union County - Pop. 15,000 | 3 |
| Lafayette County - Pop. 8,900 | 1 |
| Gilchrist County - Pop. 17,000 | 1 |
| Levy County - Pop. 40,000 | 2 |
| Columbia County - Pop. 67,000 | 8 |
| Hamilton County - Pop. 15,000 | 1 |
| Putnam County - Pop. 74,000 | 3 |
| Bradford County - Pop. 28,000 | 36 |
| Marion County - Pop. 330,000 | 9 |
| Dixie County - Pop. 16,000 | 1 |
In conclusion, the evolution of safety measures in the Florida mining industry is pivotal for the well-being of workers and the overall success of mining operations. MSHA and MSHA-certified contractors play a crucial role in upholding safety standards through inspections, training, accident investigations, and ongoing research and development. Choosing an MSHA-certified contractor not only ensures adherence to safety protocols but also brings forth numerous benefits, including reduced legal obligations, improved productivity, lower costs, and a better industry reputation. As the Florida mining industry continues to navigate challenges and thrive, the commitment to safety remains a cornerstone for sustainable growth. For reliable and MSHA-certified construction services in the mining sector, contact Seanote Construction to elevate your projects to new heights of safety and efficiency.