Workplace safety

FMCSA Allowed To Ignore Courts, Congress on Highway Safety

January 24, 2008 -- (Washington, D.C.) – Teamsters General President Jim Hoffa today said he is disappointed that the court declined to end a dangerous rule that lets truckers drive longer hours.

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit twice struck down the Bush administration’s rule extending truck drivers’ hours-of-service from 10 hours to 11 hours.    » read more »

January 15, 2008 -- WASHINGTON, DC— Today, Senator Edward M. Kennedy, Chairman of the Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee, released the following statement in anticipation of the House of Representatives taking up the Supplemental Mine Improvement and New Emergency Response Act this week.    » read more »

Public Citizen, Safety Advocates Ask Court to Compel Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration to Set Aside Dangerous Rule

Dec. 19, 2007 -- WASHINGTON, D.C. – A Bush administration rule allowing truckers 11 hours a day behind the wheel imperils both truckers and the driving public, Public Citizen President Joan Claybrook told a Senate subcommittee Wednesday, shortly before the consumer group asked a federal court of appeals to enforce its earlier decision striking down the rule.    » read more »

Families of Crash Victims Will Attend Senate Subcommittee to Oppose Decision Allowing Truckers 11 Hours a Day Driving

Dec. 18, 2007 -- WHAT: Joan Claybrook, president of Public Citizen, will testify before a Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation subcommittee about the organization’s opposition to a Bush administration rule that allows truck drivers to log 11 continuous driving hours and 88 hours in an eight-day period.    » read more »

12/14/2007 -- California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger today released the following statement regarding the death of Caltrans worker Matthew White of Sacramento, CA:

"Maria and I are deeply saddened to hear of the death of Caltrans employee Matthew White. Every day on the job, he brought great dedication and commitment and we are forever grateful for his service to the people of California. Our prayers are with Matthew's family during this painful time and we join all Californians in praying for their comfort."    » read more »

Rule Governing Trucker Hours Puts Drivers at Risk

Dec. 11, 2007 -- Statement of Joan Claybrook, President, Public Citizen:

How many times must the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) be told to improve working conditions for truck drivers before it gets it right? Apparently, more than twice. Today, the agency released yet another interim rule governing the number of hours truckers can drive without stopping (known as hours-of-service rules) that is practically identical to two rules that the courts struck down earlier this year and in 2004.    » read more »

Twenty Statewide Grants Will Provide Training Activities To Help Protect Michigan Workers Employed In High-Hazard Work Environments

December 4 , 2007 - Michigan Department of Labor & Economic Growth Director Keith W. Cooley today announced the Michigan Occupational Safety and Health Administration (MIOSHA) has awarded 20 Consultation Education and Training (CET) Grants for Fiscal Year 2008 totaling $1.035 million to promote worker safety and health. The MIOSHA program is part of the Michigan Department of Labor & Economic Growth (DLEG).    » read more »

20 November 2007 -- Ukraine is observing a national day of mourning for 89 people killed in the worst mining catastrophe in the country's post-Soviet history.

Flags decorated with black ribbons flew at half-staff Tuesday, as families of the coal miners gathered to bury the dead in and near the eastern industrial city of Donetsk.

Rescue workers have pulled more than 350 people to safety following the coal mine explosion Sunday. Authorities say at least 11 miners are still missing from the Zasyadko mine.    » read more »

Specter, Harkin Compel Mine Owner to Testify

Washington, D.C. -- November 16, 2007 - The Appropriations Subcommittee on Labor, Health, and Human Services, Education and Related Agencies (LHHS) today issued a subpoena for Robert E. Murray, CEO of Murray Energy to testify before the Subcommittee on December 4, at 10am. Murray Energy owns the Crandall Canyon mine in Utah which collapsed in August, killing six miners. Three rescuers died while attempting to reach the miners.    » read more »

Measure addresses critical need for better technology to protect miners

October 31, 2007 -- Washington D.C. – Senator Jim Webb today introduced legislation to improve tracking and communications technology for underground coal mines. The Mine Communications Technology Innovation Act (S.2263) requires the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) to study and pursue new technologies to overcome limitations of current communications equipment used in mines.    » read more »

Underscores Pressing Need To Strengthen Mine Safety Law

Oct. 4, 2007 -- HARRISBURG — Pennsylvania Governor Edward G. Rendell today signed House Bill 483 to ensure the families of miners involved in an accident are treated with dignity and respect while they await information on their loved ones. The new Mine Families First Act requires that information on rescue efforts and the miners’ conditions be provided to families before the news media, and that their privacy be protected.    » read more »

Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee Hearing on Crandall Canyon mine disaster

October 2, 2007 -- (As Prepared for Delivery)

Today our Committee considers again the pressing problem of mine safety. We are joined by family members of the fallen miners and rescue workers from Crandall Canyon. Thank you for being here with us. The nation held its breath along with you during those long weeks this summer, hoping that your husbands, brothers, fathers, and friends would be found alive, and we mourn their passing with you.    » read more »

09/26/2007 -- California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger today released the following statement regarding the death of Caltrans worker Djuan Bush of San Leandro:

“Maria and I, along with all Californians, mourn the loss of a committed and hard-working public servant. We extend our prayers and sincere condolences to Djuan’s family, friends and co-workers as they grieve this tragic loss. We are eternally grateful for his dedicated service to our state.”    » read more »

Initiatives will prioritize miners' safety above corporate interests by preventing accidents and strengthening enforcement

Sep 5, 2007 -- Chapel Hill, North Carolina – In advance of today's Senate hearing on mine safety, Senator John Edwards released his plan to improve mine safety and protect American miners. Edwards also promised he would hire leaders at the Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) to transform the agency from apologist for mine owners to its intended role as aggressive protector of mine safety.    » read more »

September 5, 2007 -- WASHINGTON, D.C. – Senator Tom Harkin (D-IA) today held a hearing to investigate the recent Utah mine disaster and how future tragedies can be prevented. The son of an Iowa coal miner, Harkin has continually pressed the Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) to improve mine safety.    » read more »