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Printer Friendly Version DEPARTMENT OF LABOR Statement by David D. Lauriski Assistant Secretary for Mine Safety and Health Fiscal Year 2005 Request Mine Safety and Health Administration Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services and Education Committee on Appropriations Mr. Chairman and Members of the Committee: Thank
you for the opportunity to present the President’s fiscal year (FY) 2005
appropriations request of $275,567,000 and 2,334 full-time equivalent (FTE) positions for the
Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA). BEST SAFETY RECORD TO DATE When I assumed leadership of this agency, I set goals that
many considered unrealistic. One goal was to reduce fatalities by 15 percent
annually. We have made significant progress in meeting this aggressive
goal. For the third straight year, the A century ago mining was considered one of the most dangerous occupations. In 1911, over 3,500 miners lost their lives. In 1977, when the Mine Safety and Health Act was passed, 272 miners died on the job. Compare this to 56 fatalities in 2003. This tremendous progress is directly the result of the diligence of miners, mine operators, and MSHA officials to insure a safe and healthy workplace. We must always remember the human cost and face of mining deaths. We want every miner to go home at the end of every work shift healthy and safe. MSHA’s budget request reflects these priorities. Our initiatives, programs and strategies are specifically geared to fostering a culture of prevention -- instilling safety as a core value. And this approach is working. Let’s look at the numbers: Comparing our performance over the last three fiscal years: · Fatal injury rate at all mines decreased by 19 percent · Lost-time injury rate at all mines decreased by 13 percent · Total injury rate at all mines decreased by 16 percent Regardless of the progress we’ve made, we are not content with the status quo. We’re reexamining our strategies and methods to further drive safety and health throughout the mining industry. DRIVING SAFETY AND HEALTH THROUGHOUT MINING INDUSTRY MSHA’s 2005 budget is targeted to change the conditions and practices that lend themselves to injuries and fatalities. It emphasizes a balanced approach to mine safety and health – supporting an effective blend of enforcement, technical support, and education and training, with compliance assistance as a common element of all three. MSHA calls these three components our “Triangle of Success.” This strategy complements MSHA’s commitment to fulfill the Mine Act’s enforcement requirements. In coal mines (between FY 2000 and FY 2003) our inspectors continued to complete 99 percent of the required inspections. In metal and non-metal mines, our completion rate jumped from 74 percent to 88 percent of required inspections during the same time period. In the last three years, MSHA’s total enforcement program site events – inspections, investigations or compliance activities – increased by 16 percent. Inspectors are being trained and encouraged to focus their efforts on those areas or activities that are most likely to place miners at risk. All of our mine visits are now "inspections with a purpose." Our inspectors are helping to identify and correct hazardous conditions and practices that lead to both violations and accidents that cause injuries. Our goal is to make sure these inspections benefit all parties involved. It’s not enough to just issue someone a citation. We try to assist mine operators to understand and comply with the law – at all times and not just at times we are there. This change in philosophy is intended to go beyond – not replace – the traditional enforcement strategy. BUILDING STRATEGIC ALLIANCES A number of significant stakeholders have embraced our collaborative approach by entering into strategic alliances with MSHA. From trade associations to labor unions to professional societies, MSHA’s stakeholders are recognizing the advantage of working directly with us rather than independently to reach health and safety goals. The American Society of Safety Engineers (ASSE); the National
Stone, Sand and Gravel Association (NSSGA); the Industrial Minerals
Association—North
This is just the beginning – with even more alliances to follow. This is proof positive that a collective approach to safety and health can not only succeed, but also flourish. MSHA is also working with state governments to achieve common goals. For example, the absence of an accurate underground mine map contributed to the Quecreek coal mine inundation that trapped nine brave miners for 77 hours in July 2002. To help prevent similar incidents in the future, MSHA awarded nearly $4.0 million in grants to 13 states to establish an electronic system of digitizing maps of abandoned underground mines. An additional $6.0 million is being used to explore cutting edge technologies to detect mine voids before they are breached. These funds were appropriated by Congress in fiscal year 2003. 2005 BUDGET – REFLECTING TODAY'S MINE SAFETY/ HEALTH NEEDS MSHA’s 2005 budget request also reflects our commitment to bring the agency’s infrastructure, human capital, and technological capabilities into the 21st Century. We have done a thorough review of our manuals, technology, security, and professional training and identified areas where additional budgetary resources are required. For example: · After conducting an internal review to identify our strengths and weaknesses with respect to impoundments, MSHA is requesting $250,000 to update the “Engineering and Design Coal Waste Disposal Facilities Manual,” a reference guide for government and industry alike. This would be its first update since its original release 25 years ago. ·
MSHA owns and operates the
National Mine Health and
· $750,000 to support and enhance telecommunications connectivity to the wide area network · $500,000 for intrusion detection, network auditing, IT security training, and infrastructure upgrades · $250,000 to develop web-based training modules for use by our stakeholders and employees Overall, MSHA’s FY 2005 budget request of $275.6 million will further the agency’s ability to meet its safety and health goals. It will help strengthen MSHA’s capabilities to help mine operators comply with regulations. It will help support MSHA’s on-going commitment to update its infrastructure, digital technologies, national security and succession plans. And, it will help reinforce MSHA’s outreach programs that have brought significant improvements in the health and safety of all miners. Over the past three years MSHA has made major progress in reducing mine injuries and fatalities. We are prepared to deliver even better results. With the proposed budget, I believe we can further our aggressive goals so that all miners can go home healthy and safe after every shift. Mr. Chairman, this concludes my prepared statement. I appreciate this opportunity to present MSHA’s budget request for meeting our safety and health performance goals. I welcome any questions you may have for us.
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