MSHA, National Lime Association renew commitment to training

The Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) and the National Lime Association (NLA) recently renewed their alliance to provide training and education to advance workers' health and safety at lime plants and quarries.

The MSHA and the NLA partnership encompasses reporting of injury and citation data, and technical expertise to point out potential hazards in lime plants and quarries. The two groups will then develop education and training initiatives for lime plants and quarries aimed at improvement of workplace health and safety.

“Our renewed partnership with the National Lime Association underscores MSHA’s unwavering commitment to protect the health and safety of miners across the country,” said Wayne Palmer, U.S. assistant secretary for mine safety and health. “By renewing this alliance, we are expanding the tools, training, and collaborative support needed to prevent accidents at lime plants and quarries. Every miner deserves to go home safe at the end of the day, and this agreement reinforces the shared responsibility we all have in making that a reality.”

As part of the initiative MSHA and the NLA will jointly provide guidance that includes:

• Offering training, education, and technical assistance to promote safety and health awareness in efforts to prevent injuries. 
• Conducting case studies addressing incidence of worker injury and illness. 
• Sharing safety best practices. 
• Creating education and training for operator and contractor employees. 
• Partner on emergency response and rescue and recovery techniques for lime and quarry facilities.

“This collaboration reflects our shared commitment to advancing worker health and safety, strengthening education and training opportunities across the lime industry, and fostering open communication about the challenges and opportunities facing our sector," said William. C. Herz, NLA executive director. "We look forward to working together to support safer operations, share technical expertise, and promote continuous improvement throughout the industry."

MSHA’s Alliance Program enables the agency to develop relationships with organizations focused workplace safety and health. Alliance partners work with MSHA to provide miners and mine operators with information, guidance, and resources on safety. Alliances also ensure that mine operators fully understand their responsibilities under the Federal Mine Safety and Health Act of 1977.