A mine operator may need to have a Ventilation Plan approved by the Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) or have MSHA issue a Mine ID before he can start mining. If there is a pandemic, will MSHA be able to issue approvals?
Category: Workplace Safety and Health Issues
Answer:
The Mine Safety and Health Administration, along with all federal agencies, is planning for increased absences in the event of an influenza pandemic. Several employees are able to back up each other for a variety of technical jobs, e.g., ventilation and other plan approvals, equipment approvals, accident investigations, and technical assistance requests. Be assured someone will be working on all types of plan submissions in each District Office.
In addition, the Approval and Certification Center’s will continue to process equipment approval applications. MSHA employees will have appropriate messages on their phones informing callers as to how they may be contacted or if someone else in the organization can be contacted in their absence.
Note: As an overall matter, employers should be guided in their relationship with their employees not only by federal employment law, but by their own employee handbooks, manuals, and contracts (including bargaining agreements), and by any applicable state or local laws.
Not all of the employment laws referenced apply to all employers or all employees, particularly state and local government agencies. For information on whether a particular employer or employee is covered by a law, please use the links provided for more detailed information. This information is not intended for federal agencies or federal employees -- they should contact the U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM) for guidance.
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Last Updated: 01/25/2008
