MSHA has launched a 90-day pilot program to address the backlog of contested citations and the agency's conferencing procedures. According to 30 CFR100, mine operators may request a conference with MSHA officials to dispute citations issued by federal mine inspectors. The pilot program will allow the mine operator and the miners' representative to hear MSHA's interpretation of regulations and discuss and resolve issues relating to violations before civil penalty assessment and litigation. Under the current system, conferencing takes place after penalty assessment.
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