MSHA Needs to Provide Better Oversight of Emergency Response Plans

View Report

Date Issued

Friday, March 31, 2017

Submitting OIG

Department of Labor OIG

Other Participating OIGs

Department of Labor OIG

Agencies Reviewed/Investigated

Department of Labor

Report Number

05-17-002-06-001

Report Type

Audit

Agency Wide

Yes

Number of Recommendations

Questioned Costs

Funds for Better Use

Additional Details

https://www.oig.dol.gov/public/reports/oa/viewpdf.php?r=05-17-002-06-001&y=2017

Open Recommendations

This report has 6 open recommendations.

Recommendation Number	Significant Recommendation	Recommended Questioned Costs	Recommended Funds for Better Use
5	Yes	$0	$0
Implement a process for headquarters and district personnel to manage the ERP program more effectively by periodically (e.g., quarterly or semi-annually) reviewing reports from the tracking system.
2	Yes	$0	$0
Maintain an ERP review checklist on MSHA’s website that is updated when requirements change.
4	Yes	$0	$0
Issue additional guidance and provide refresher training on how to enter ERP data into the tracking system and use the tracking system to provide oversight.
9	Yes	$0	$0
Issue regulations or guidance to make mine operators aware of tools currently available on MSHA’s website they can use when developing their ERPs and clarify when mine operators should submit an ERP and whether mine operators can exclude certain information from the ERP.
3	Yes	$0	$0
Standardize the ERP review and approval processes and tools across MSHA districts. At minimum, the procedures should specify the a. type of reviews (specialist and/or inspector) the districts should be completing and the frequency for each type of review, b. steps the reviewer should take for a specialist review versus an inspector review and the tools (e.g., standardized review checklist) to use during each review, and c. dates (e.g., Date Received and Decision Date) to enter into the tracking system and instructions on where to obtain each date.
1	Yes	$0	$0
Reissue PPL P16-V-01 to clarify the mine operators' responsibility for local coordination under the MINER Act. The revision should:a. Inform mine operators to insert language in their ERP referencing the call lists posted at the mine if the ERP does not include them.b. Clarify how a mine operator establishes procedures for coordination and communication between the operator, mine rescue teams, and local emergency response personnel and makes provisions for familiarizing local rescue personnel with surface functions that may be required in the course of mine rescue work.