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September 25, 2008    DOL Home > Compliance Assistance > By Topic > Safety and Health >
Mine Safety and Health
  

Safety and Health in the Workplace:

Mine Safety and Health


 Frequently Asked Questions

OVERVIEW

The Federal Mine Safety and Health Act (Mine Act) requires that the U.S. Department of Labor's Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) inspect all mines each year to ensure safe and healthy work environments for miners. In addition to setting safety and health standards for preventing hazardous and unhealthy conditions, MSHA's regulations establish requirements for:

  • immediate notification by the mine operator of accidents, injuries and illnesses at the mine;
  • training programs that meet the requirements of the Mine Act; and
  • obtaining approval for certain equipment used in gassy underground mines.

The Mine Act covers all mine operators and miners throughout the United States, including the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, American Samoa, Guam, and the Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands.

COMPLIANCE ASSISTANCE MATERIALS

BASIC INFORMATION

  • Safety and Health Topics - Provides links to specific compliance information on various safety and health issues found in the mining industry, including those related to equipment, chemicals and working conditions (for example, mine safety control systems, mercury and heavy metals, and noise).

  • MSHA's Alliance Program - Enables organizations committed to mine safety and health to collaborate with MSHA to prevent injuries and illnesses in the workplace. MSHA and its allies work together to reach out to, educate, and lead the nation's mine operators and miners in improving and advancing mine safety and health.

FACT SHEETS

E-TOOLS

RECORDKEEPING

The Federal Mine Safety and Health Act contains recordkeeping and reporting requirements, including a requirement that each mine operator have a safety and health training program and provide training to all miners.

APPLICABLE LAWS AND REGULATIONS

RELATED TOPICS AND LINKS

  • Black Lung Benefits Act (BLBA) - Provides for monthly payments to, and medical treatments for, coal miners totally disabled from pneumoconiosis (black lung disease) arising from employment in or around the nation's coal mines.

DOL CONTACTS*

  • Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA)
    1100 Wilson Boulevard
    21st Floor
    Arlington, VA 22209-3939
    Contact MSHA
    Tel: 1-866-4-USA-DOL (1-866-487-2365) or 202-693-9400
    TTY: 1-877-889-5627
    Local Offices

  • Employment Standards Administration (ESA) 
    Office of Workers' Compensation Programs (OWCP)
    Division of Coal Mine Workers' Compensation
    200 Constitution Avenue, NW
    Room C-3521
    Washington, DC 20210
    E-mail: DCMWC-Public@dol.gov
    Tel: 1-800-638-7072
    TTY: 1-877-889-5627
    Local Offices

  • For questions on other DOL laws,
    please call DOL's Toll-Free Help Line at 1-866-4-USA-DOL. Live assistance is available in English and Spanish, Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Eastern Time. Additional service is available in more than 140 languages through a translation service.
    Tel: 1-866-4-USA-DOL
    TTY: 1-877-889-5627

*Pursuant to the U.S. Department of Labor's Confidentiality Protocol for Compliance Assistance Inquiries, information provided by a telephone caller will be kept confidential within the bounds of the law. Compliance assistance inquiries will not trigger an inspection, audit, investigation, etc.



Phone Numbers