In June some additional bills were submitted in the US House of Representatives that would affect Mine Safety Regulations if enacted. Much of what is proposed would only impact underground mining, but others affect the broader mining community such as:
* clarify the authority of inspectors to be free of interference and to issue withdrawal orders in emergencies;
*enhance penalties not adjusted by MINER Act;
* respond to GAO findings of deficiencies in the penalty assessment process;
* and provide MSHA with subpoena power equivalent to that of other agencies.

An overview of the initiative is available on the Committee on Education and Labor's web page at http://edlabor.house.gov/micro/mine_2007initiative.shtml

A pdf statement from Chairman George Miller (D-CA) is at http://edlabor.house.gov/statements/061907GMMineInitiativeStatement.pdf

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I'm your webmaster and blogmaster:
Randy Newcomer, Rohrer's Safety Services. I divide my time between providing MSHA and other safety training for a variety of clients, and managing the safety program of Rohrer's Quarry, my parent company. Rohrer's is a family owned and operated limestone quarry in Lititz, Lancaster County, PA. Our website is located at www.rohrers.com. I've been in the quarry industry for more than twenty years. I'm involved with Holmes and the International Society of Mine Safety Professionals. In my spare time I run a small business selling books at www.randysbooks.com. Somehow I also find time to be married and enjoy woodworking, gardening, kayaking, and most everything involved with the outdoors.

...see, it's that easy, now try it yourself!