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Small Mine Office


In October 2002, MSHA created the Small Mine Office (SMO) to reach out to small mining operations to help them improve or develop safety and health (S&H) programs tailored specifically to the needs of their miners and operations. These operations typically do not have the resources to employ full-time S&H professionals.

Small mines - those employing 5 or fewer employees - represent about 50 percent of all U.S. mining operations: approximately 500 small coal mines and approximately 6,600 small metal/nonmetal mines. From 2000-2002, the incidence of fatalities at these small mines was approximately 21/2 times greater than that of larger mining operations in the United States.



Small Mine Office Fact Sheet MSHA's Small Mine Office - Serving the small mines in America MSHA's Small Mine Office - Address Listing (02/20/2008) Small Mine Office Weekly ToolBox Talks
    A series of weekly ToolBox talks that can be used by small mine operators and others to hold safety and health discussions for their employees at their mining operations.

  • Go To Toolboxes
Oficina de Minas Pequeñas - Charlas Semanales
    La Oficina de Minas Pequeñas ha desarrollado una serie de charlas semanales que pueden ser utilizadas por los operadores de minas pequeñas, además de otros individuos, para realizar diálogos sobre la salud y la seguridad de sus empleados en sus operaciones mineras.

  • Charlas Semanales
MSHA's Non-Retaliation Policy

    MSHA has a policy that communications with the agency about safety and health regulations or other safety and health related subjects shall not trigger enforcement action. This policy reflects the fact that the agency's objective is to provide assistance to help operators prevent and reduce workplace fatalities, illnesses and injuries. You may view the policy, using the link provided below.

  • See Policy
On-line Training Available
    North Carolina State University received an OSHA grant to create safety and health training for small businesses. We created an online program named OSHA Safety & Health Management Systems for Small Business. This program is designed to assist small- and medium-sized businesses in developing and implementing an effective and inexpensive safety and health management system.

  • See Program



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