MSHA HANDBOOK SERIES - PH13-V-1 - Mine Safety and Health ...

COAL MINE SAFETY AND HEALTH
GENERAL INSPECTION PROCEDURES HANDBOOK CHAPTER 1
consideration to whether the mine is in production or just being maintained and the
type of inspection activity to be performed in determining whether crossing the picket
line is appropriate. Under no circumstances should inspectors put anyone, including
themselves, in danger while crossing a picket line. Inspectors should contact their
supervisor when necessary in making this determination. In such situations, the
supervisor may opt to contact labor representatives to attempt to resolve the problem,
accompany the inspector, or send an additional inspector if the situation warrants.
K. Miners’ and Operators’ Representatives. Section 103(f) of the Mine Act requires that
representatives of the operator and miners be permitted to accompany inspectors in
order to assist in conducting a full inspection. A representative of the operator and a
representative authorized by miners shall be given an opportunity to accompany
inspectors during the physical inspection of any coal or other mine, including areas
where only contractors are working, for the purpose of aiding such inspection and
participating in pre- or post-inspection conferences held at the mine. Where there is
no authorized miner representative, inspectors shall consult with a reasonable number
of miners concerning matters of health and safety in such mine. (Refer to
Representation of Miners Designation Form 2000-238 and Section 103(f) of the PPM,
Volume I, for further guidance.)
L. Interagency Agreements (IA) and Memorandums of Understanding (MOU). Several
agreements and memoranda exist that facilitate the efficient use of government
personnel and directly affect the conduct of business by MSHA personnel. These
include:
Interagency Agreement between the Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA),
U.S. Department of Labor, and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration
(OSHA), U.S. Department of Labor.
Memorandum of Understanding between the U.S. Department of Labor, Mine Safety
and Health Administration (MSHA), and the U.S. Department of the Interior, Bureau
of Land Management (BLM).
Memorandum of Understanding between the U.S. Department of Labor, Mine Safety
and Health Administration (MSHA), and the Interstate Mining Compact Commission
(IMCC).
Memorandum of Understanding between the U.S. Department of Labor, Mine Safety
and Health Administration (MSHA), and the U.S. Department of Justice, Bureau of
Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF).
Release 1 (February 2013) 1-4