MSHA extends comment period for penalty assessment rule

Arlington, VA – The Mine Safety and Health Administration has extended to Dec. 3 the comment period for a proposed rule that would revise procedures for assessing civil penalties.

The agency said it extended the comment period – originally scheduled to close Sept. 29 – in response to requests from several industry stakeholders, including the National Stone, Sand & Gravel Association and the Pennsylvania Coal Alliance. These groups also requested public hearings, which MSHA said it would schedule. At press time, the dates and locations of the hearings had not been released.

Announced in July, the proposed rule would amend MSHA’s existing penalty regulations by adjusting the criteria used for determining civil penalty amounts. The proposed changes are intended to place greater emphasis on the more serious safety and health conditions that could endanger miners.