Safety and Health in
the Workplace: |
Mine Safety and
Health |
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Frequently Asked Questions |
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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.
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
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.
- 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.
- 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.
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