mine fatalities

At 6 a.m. on Friday, June 3, 2016, 56-year-old James “Dee” Hemphill and 24-year-old Emmitt Shorter went to work at Harmony Mine and Mill in Mississippi. Both men were working together to excavate material from the Johnson Pit and transport it to the on-site plant or waste dump.

Last week I sent a letter to the mining community asking everyone to join the Mine Safety and Health Administration in focusing on identifying and eliminating safety and health hazards that can cost miners their lives.

Following the deaths of three miners, we’re urging all mine workers to follow electrical safety best practices.

Drawing on lessons from the Sago and Aracoma mine disasters, the MINER Act helped improve emergency response at mines across the country.

As a third-generation miner, Nicholas Gutierrez understands the unique challenges — and rewards — associated with working in the mining industry.

We saw an increase in mine fatalities and injuries in the past year, many of which could have been prevented with proper training and attention to tasks. Remember to "Take Time, Save Lives."