U.S. Department of Labor

Mine Safety and Health Administration 1100 Wilson Boulevard Arlington, Virginia 22209-3939

FROM:           KEVIN G. STRICKLIN
                        Administrator for
                       Coal Mine Safety and Health

                       FELIX A. QUINTANA
                       Administrator for
                       Metal and Nonmetal Mine Safety and Health

                       JEFFREY A. DUNCAN
                       Director of Educational Policy and Development

                       MARK E. SKILES
                       Director of Technical Support

SUBJECT:      Revision of Accident Investigation Procedures

Scope
This Procedure Instruction Letter (PIL) is being reissued. It applies to Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) District Managers and MSHA personnel who are assigned accident investigation duties and/or responsibilities.

Purpose
This is a revision to the Accident/Illness Investigation Procedures Handbook, No. PH00-I-5, to clarify the responsibility of MSHA District Managers to assign agency resources needed to investigate accidents in their district. This revision is intended to promote the most effective and efficient use of agency resources while at the same time assuring that the Agency is carrying out responsibilities to fully investigate accidents.

Procedure Instructions
1. The district will promptly notify the appropriate Regional Solicitor's Office and Educational Field Services of fatal accidents. Following consultations between the District Manager and the Accident Investigation Program Manager, assistance will be requested from Technical Support when deemed necessary. All accident investigation team members will be assigned by the District Manager.

2. Promptly after the on-site investigation, witness interviews and any technical analysis, there will be one accident investigation report written under the direction of the District Manager.

The above procedure modifies the current Accident/Illness Investigation Procedures Handbook. These revisions do not apply to the investigation of multiple-fatality accidents. Unless revised by this PIL, all other procedures in the Accident/Illness Investigation Procedures Handbook shall remain in full force and effect.

Background
The Accident/Illness Investigation Procedures Handbook No. PH00-I-5 includes instructions for both Coal and Metal and Nonmetal personnel in selecting accident investigation team members, conducting the investigation, and preparing the Agency's report of the accident. These procedures are being revised to clarify the responsibility of MSHA District Managers. The District Manager will determine the appropriate level of technical and professional expertise of the Agency to investigate accidents. These changes are designed to give the District Manager appropriate flexibility with regard to the use of resources based on the nature and complexity of the accident. This revision also clarifies that the results of the investigation will be compiled into one official Agency report.

Authority
The Federal Mine Safety and Health Act of 1977, as amended 30 U.S.C. § 801, et seq;
30 C.F.R. part 50.

Filing Instructions
A copy of this PIL should be filed in the front of the Accident/Illness Investigation Procedures Handbook, No. PH00-I-5.

Issuing Office and Contact Person
Coal Mine Safety and Health, Accident Investigations Program Manager,
William Crocco, (202) 693-9507
e-mail: crocco.william@dol.gov

Metal and Nonmetal Mine Safety and Health, Accident Investigations Program Manager,
John K. Radomsky, (202) 693-9614
e-mail: radomsky.john@dol.gov

Educational Policy and Development,
Patrick Hurley, (303) 231-5941
e-mail: hurley.patrick@dol.gov

Richard Wood, (304) 256-3337
e-mail: wood.richard@dol.gov

Technical Support,
Joe Judeikis, (304) 547-2039
e-mail: judeikis.joseph@dol.gov

Distribution
MSHA Program Policy Manual Holders