The U.S. Department of Labor’s Mine Safety and Health Administration announced the renewal of its alliance with the Essential Minerals Association, as well as a new alliance with the Metallurgical Coal Producers Association that will help protect the health and safety of workers in the mining industry.
MSHA and EMA will work together on initiatives to meet education and training goals designed to improve worker health and safety in industrial mineral mines and processing facilities, including:
- Conducting and publishing case studies of worker injury and illnesses.
- Providing and developing information, education, training, and technical assistance to raise safety and health awareness within the industrial minerals sector and to help prevent injuries and illnesses and protect workers’ safety and health.
- Collaborating and sharing best practices to improve operator and contractor safety and health in mines and processing facilities.
“The minerals industry has a proud tradition of looking out for the people who work every day to produce the minerals that are essential to our daily lives. Renewing our Alliance with MSHA is a reaffirmation of that commitment,” said EMA President Chris Greissing.
“When industry and government work together on worker safety – sharing data, developing training tools, and talking openly about what works – the results speak for themselves. EMA is proud to continue this partnership and to make sure our members have every resource they need to bring their workforce home safe.”
The agency and MCPA’s collaborative relationship will help protect the health and safety of workers at coal mines, preparation plants, and mills by:
- Providing information, training, and technical assistance to raise safety and health awareness.
- Analyzing and publishing injury, illness, and citation data to develop education and training tools that better protect miners.
- Conducting annual summary analyses of incidence rates for coal mines, preparation plants, and mills, and performing worker injury and illness case studies to identify hazardous safety and health conditions.
- Developing and sharing best practices and effective approaches to improve operator and contractor safety and health.
“Ensuring that every miner goes home safe and healthy at the end of each shift is at the core of MSHA’s mission. This alliance strengthens our longstanding commitment to collaborate with industry partners who share that dedication,” said Assistant Secretary of Mine Safety and Health Wayne Palmer.
“By working closely with the Metallurgical Coal Producers Association, we can expand the reach of critical training, share data-driven insights, and promote innovative approaches that prevent accidents and protect miners’ well-being. Together we are building a stronger culture of safety across the coal industry.”
Source: MSHA