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The guys have
done a great job of UNDERSTANDING the importance of the
message and implementing the correct actions from what was
learned at the Institute I attended. We have always had a great
safety record with only 1 LTA since 1986 with the latest string of
no LTA being 6 years now and the last reportable being in August
1994. Past records are good to look back on as a job well done -
but the question on MSHA's mind is, "what are you doing right
now".
Instead of citations we actually got good comments on our attempts
at doing things the right way. Our employees knew how to talk with
the MSHA inspector because they are learning what the law requires
and what needs to be done to do it right. They know that this is an
important part of their job and they are required to do it just as
they are required to make production.
You may ask - "With the MSHA environment today how do we continue to
have such successful low citation MSHA inspections"? We understand
that it is a new environment - as you say - "It ain't your daddy's
mine environment anymore". We have tried and I feel been successful
in putting into practice the information provided us at your
seminar. If one understands the LAW and operates within the
boundaries, then - If there ain't nothing to write a citation on,
you just won't get a citation! It takes everyone, every
day, every job to make it work. Managements job is to
provide the information and motivation to get this attitude
instilled into every employee. To provide the information one must
first have the information - it must be correct and it must current.
One must then use the information - put it into practice - not put
it on a shelf in a nice neat notebook.
Thanks for your help in our being able to keep cost down by keeping
MSHA citations out of our cost structure.
Robert
D****d Good Safety Officer
October 22-28 attendee - Mine Safety and Health Institute
P.S. You remember my telling you of a citation we received in the
past on a piece of equipment that was not in operation. The
equipment had not been used for several days and MSHA wanted to
inspect it. Our guy did a pre-operation inspection and noted the
non-working back up alarm and tagged out the equipment. When he got
to the inspector - the inspector was writing a citation for the
faulty back-up alarm - that we found during our pre-operation check!
(it was corrected immediately - a blown fuse) Well, we did not lay
down. We raised a fuss with the area field office, and went through
with a formal contestment (awaiting the results of this). Now, if a
piece of equipment is not in operation the inspector tells us to go
ahead and do the pre-operation check and note any problems as we
usually would and they will not cite these noted items - but all
other safety related items are fair game. This I can live with -
this is fair and just - this is the way it should be done. I really
feel that how we responded, quickly, with knowledge, and by sticking
to our guns, we made the difference in how we are being treated now
on this particular item.
Tell all the participants in the next class - Listen - Learn - and
THEN, don't put it on the shelf - put it into practice - dammit!. |