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MSHA News Release: [09/09/2003]
Contact Name: Rodney
Brown
Phone Number: (202) 693-9425
MSHA, Safety Council Sign Alliance Agreement
CHICAGO—The Department
of Labor’s Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) and the National
Safety Council (NSC) today signed an agreement to work together to enhance
safety programs for the mining industry. This MSHA Health and Safety
partnership is part of Secretary Elaine L. Chao’s ongoing efforts to
improve the health and safety of workers through cooperative partnerships.
“The mining industry has just achieved its safest two years on
record. Under this agreement, MSHA and the NSC will work together to make
safety a top priority throughout the mining industry and send more miners home
safe at the end of every working day,” said Dave D. Lauriski, Assistant
Secretary of Labor for Mine Safety and Health, speaking today at the annual
National Safety Congress. “This agreement will result in a more focused
relationship, with the objective of developing safety and health programs for
the mining industry.”
“The National Safety Council and the Mine Safety and Health
Administration share a passion for doing everything we can to keep mine workers
safe and prevent mining accidents,” said NSC President Alan McMillan.
“Mining can be a hazardous occupation and miners deserve to have the very
best knowledge and training about safety and health issues. Through this
partnership, the National Safety Council will work closely with MSHA to address
the important needs of mine workers and mining companies.”
Lauriski signed the new Alliance Agreement with NSC President and CEO
Alan C. McMillan in a ceremony following his remarks at the conference’s
keynote session.
Among other activities under the agreement, MSHA and the NSC will:
- Identify way to enhance participation of the NSC’s Mining and
Minerals Resources Section in safety and health outreach to the industry;
- Collaborate on developing and conducting technical sessions at a
variety of events and conferences; and
- Work collaboratively to present clear and accurate statistical
information on mining and minerals operations in the United States.
In addition, the alliance will enhance the existing relationship between
MSHA and the NSC in the in the “Stay Out-Stay Alive” (SOSA)
partnership, which educates young people and their parents about the hazards of
playing in and around active or inactive mines. The SOSA partnership,
coordinated by MSHA, currently includes about 90 member organizations.
MSHA promotes safety and health in the nation’s mines through
enforcement, education and training, and technical assistance. The NSC is a
nonprofit organization whose mission is to educate and influence society to
adopt safety, health and environmental policies, practices and procedures that
prevent and mitigate human suffering and economic losses arising from
preventable causes. The agreement between MSHA and NSC is the latest such
alliance agreement in the mining industry.
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