Mine Safety Settlements Will Get Scrutiny From Review Panel

The Mine Safety and Health Administration has a long, successful history of settling cases with mine operators. A newly whole Federal Mine Safety and Health Review Commission, however, soon will test that, as it could decide just how much evidence needs to be provided before such a settlement can be approved.

And because the vast majority of mine safety cases settle, the commission’s decision in a case involving an 82% reduction in safety fines could have wide-ranging effects.

The full commission, which lost its quorum last August, will hold its first oral arguments in over a year on May 22. ...