Source: https://safety-health.jacksonkelly.com/2015/09/commission-limits-mshas-authority-to-issue-103j-orders-applies-broad-definition-of-accident-to-103k.html
Timestamp: 2019-04-22 00:52:04+00:00

Document:
On September 9, 2015, the Federal Mine Safety and Health Review Commission issued two decisions in which it found the Mine Safety and Health Administration’s (“MSHA”) authority to issue § 103(j) orders to be limited only to instances involving “rescue and recovery work.” In both Big Ridge, Inc., Docket Nos. LAKE 2011-699-R and LAKE 2011-700-R (Rev. Comm. Sept. 9, 2015) and Jim Walter Resources, Inc., Docket Nos. SE 2011-477-R and SE 2011-478-R (Rev. Comm. Sept. 9, 2015), the Commission vacated the § 103(j) orders because in each instance, no rescue or recovery work was necessary.
In the event of any accident occurring in any coal or other mine, the operator shall notify the Secretary thereof and shall take appropriate measures to prevent the destruction of any evidence which would assist in investigating the cause or causes thereof. For purpose of the preceding sentence, the notification required shall be provided by the operator within 15 minutes of the time at which the operator realizes that the death of an individual at the mine, or injury or entrapment of an individual at the mine which has a reasonable potential to cause death has occurred. In the event of an accident occurring in a coal or other mine, where rescue and recovery work is necessary, the Secretary or an authorized representative of the secretary shall take whatever action he deems appropriate, to protect the life of any person, and he may, if he deems it appropriate, supervise and direct the rescue and recovery activities.
MSHA issues § 103(j) and (k) orders to control a scene following an incident. Recognizing that the Mine Act requires MSHA to be present at the mine to issue a control order under § 103(k), MSHA has adopted the procedure of verbally issuing a § 103(j) order and then converting it to a § 103(k) order once at the mine.
However, the Commission found that the only grant of authority in § 103(j) to issue control orders comes from the last sentence. That sentence states that such orders may only be issued “where rescue and recovery work is necessary.” Therefore, if the situation does not involve rescue or recovery, a § 103(j) order cannot be issued.
In Big Ridge, MSHA issued a § 103(j) order following an incident where a rock struck a miner resulting in a laceration that required stitches. In Jim Walter Resources, MSHA issued a § 103(j) order following an ignition that resulted in no injuries. Because neither involved “rescue or recovery,” the Commission vacated the § 103(j) order in each case.
In the event of any accident occurring in a coal or other mine, an authorized representative, when present, may issue such orders as he deems appropriate to ensure the safety of any person in the coal or other mine, and the operator of such mine shall obtain the approval of such representative . . ., when feasible, of any plan to recover any person in such mine or to recover the coal or other mine or return affected areas of such mine to normal.
30 U.S.C. § 813(k). In Big Ridge, the Commission declined to restrict the definition of “accident” by either the language in § 103(j) or the definition of “accident” at 30 C.F.R. § 50.2. Instead, the Commission found that the broader definition of “accident” in § 3(k) of the Mine Act applied. That definition provides that “accident” includes a mine explosion, mine ignition, mine fire, or mine inundation, or injury to, or death of, any person.” 30 U.S.C. § 802(k). The Commission held that the injury to the miner qualified as an “accident” under this broad definition.
In Jim Walter Resources, the operator argued that the § 103(k) order was invalid because it was issued before MSHA fully investigated the facts of the situation. The Commission, however, found that MSHA may issue a § 103(k) order before knowing all the facts of the situation.
The upshot of the decisions is this: MSHA may not issue a § 103(j) order at all unless rescue or recovery is necessary. MSHA may not issue a § 103(k) order over the phone due to the “when present” language in that statutory provision. However, MSHA may issue a § 103(k) order once present at a mine for a broad range of incidents, beyond those listed in 30 C.F.R. § 50.2(h). Additionally, operators’ requirements under the Part 50 immediate reporting regulations have not changed. Operators are still required to immediately report the accidents listed in 30 C.F.R. § 50.2(h) and to preserve the scene of such an accident, as required by 30 C.F.R. §§ 50.10 and 50.12.

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