U.S. Department of
Labor
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Mine Safety and Health Administration
1100 Wilson Boulevard
Arlington, Virginia 22209-3939
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| EFFECTIVE DATE: November 9, 2006 |
EXPIRATION DATE: 03/31/2008
(Reissue of I05-IV-1) |
PROCEDURE INSTRUCTION LETTER NO. I06-IV-1
FROM: FELIX A. QUINTANA 
Administrator for Metal and Nonmetal
Mine Safety and Health
SUBJECT: Procedures for Inspection of Impoundments
Scope
This Procedure Instruction Letter (PIL) applies to Metal and Nonmetal (MNM) District Managers, Field Office Supervisors, and Inspectors whose duties include inspection and enforcement activities at impoundment sites.
Purpose
This PIL provides guidance for district enforcement personnel during inspection activities at impoundments and recommends using the attached inspection forms (a survey form for the initial inspection and a checklist form for subsequent inspections) to enhance inspection quality at such facilities. Further, the PIL requires field office supervisors to assure that thorough inspections and associated notes address all critical items of an impoundment inspection.
Procedure Instruction
Impoundments should be thoroughly inspected on a biannual basis if possible. District managers shall require additional inspections at high hazard potential sites, sites undergoing major or critical construction phases, or where other potentially hazardous conditions are identified.
Inspectors should use the inspection forms to document their observations of an impoundment. The attached forms provide a standardized method of documenting all types of conditions observed by field personnel. If an inspector chooses not to use the forms, the required information shall be written in the inspector's field notes.
Field office supervisors shall assure that all areas of an impoundment are inspected. They should also assure that observations made by inspectors during those activities are noted on the inspection form or in the inspector's field notes. Further, supervisors shall forward the form or field notes to the appropriate District person for necessary follow-up action or for tracking purposes.
Background
This PIL provides guidance and clarification to assure that congressionally mandated inspections of impoundments are performed in accordance with applicable provisions of the Federal Mine Safety and Health Act of 1977, that field notes document that these inspections are thoroughly completed, and that reports associated with these inspections reflect observed conditions.
Authority
Federal Mine Safety and Health Act of 1977, Section 103(a).
Filing Instructions
This instruction letter should be filed behind the tab marked "Procedure Instruction Letters" in the binder for Program Policy Handbooks and Procedure Instruction Letters.
Issuing Office and Contact Persons
Milburn Rinehart, MNM Division of Safety, 202-693-9646
E-mail address: rinehart.milburn@dol.gov
Distribution
All Program Policy Manual Holders
Attachment
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