“We are committed to scrutinizing the data on deaths in the mining industry and getting at the leading causes of those deaths to prevent subsequent ones,” Main continued in the written statement from MSHA.

“In its analysis of the violations contributing to one or more of the eight accidents, MSHA identified nine coal standards. The standards fell into one of four categories: explosions, aftermath of a fire, mining methods and examinations.”

MSHA is also focusing special attention on two other standards dealing with combustible materials and rockdusting to prevent coal mine fires and explosions.

As with the initial 24 standards highlighted during the first “Rules to Live By” initiative, MSHA will begin with outreach to the mining community.

Enforcement personnel will focus more attention on these standards through enhanced enforcement and increased scrutiny for violations of these standards.

Inspectors will be instructed to evaluate gravity and negligence, consistent with the seriousness of the violation, when citing violations of standards that may cause or contribute to mining fatalities. Information is also being sent to state grantees, who provide training to the mining industry.

The first “Rules to Live By” initiative, launched earlier this year, focused on standards that were frequently cited in fatal accident investigations from January 2000 through December 2008.

MSHA inspectors will begin enhanced enforcement efforts for the second phase on Jan. 1, 2011.