Safety training

The Mine Safety and Health Administration’s (MSHA) new Safety Targets Training Program focuses on addressing and eliminating the most common causes of repeat fatal accidents that occurred from 2000 to 2008. Ten training modules are in development to address the 20 topics that account for 75 percent of these causes in coal and metal/non-metal mines. Leading causes in metal/non-metal mines include the following: fall from elevations, operating equipment (surface), maintenance, lock and tag, block against motion, hit by equipment (surface), pre-op, roof/rib falls, communication, unsafe act. More information about the training can be found on MSHA’s Web site, www.msha.gov. MSHA.

Aggregates publications

Several new publications are available from the National Stone, Sand & Gravel Association (NSSGA). The Aggregate Handbook, describes all phases of the industry in a manner useful to engineers, plant operators, specifiers, marketers, students, and the general public. A supplement CD is included.

The Community Relations Handbook for the Aggregates Industry focuses on the “how-tos” of building positive, long-term relationships between operations and the community. It describes successful and tested methods of gaining the goodwill of neighbors through two-way communications. It also includes four supplements: Answering Community Concerns about Blasting, Answering Community Concerns about Dust and Noise, Answering Community Concerns about Truck Traffic, and Hosting an Open House or Operation Tour.

NSSGA’s Guiding Principles for Sustainability addresses the industry’s commitment to communities, to environmental stewardship, to social responsibility, and to economic prosperity. Several tools are available for use in neighborhoods, for luncheons, at open houses, within the workforce, with local media, and with area schools, including: videos, brochures, and booklets. NSSGA.

Worker health document

The Essential Elements of Effective Workplace Programs and Policies for Improving Worker Health and Wellbeing identifies 20 components of a comprehensive work-based health protection and health promotion program. It includes both guiding principles and practical direction for organizations seeking to develop effective workplace programs. National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health.