Mine Safety and Health Administration

At mine sites, dams are essential infrastructure that provides flood control, store water for mine use, and control runoff. But dams can also pose significant danger to people working near them if they fail.

May 14-20 is National Women’s Health Week. The Mine Safety and Health Administration encourages women miners to check the condition and fit of their personal protective equipment.

Dr. Elizabeth Hayes was a fierce public health advocate who fought for coal miners and their families in the 1940s.

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.

Hear from Mary “Beth” Nettles, section chief for Mine Safety and Health Administration mission applications, on her career in information technology and what advice she has for women interested in pursuing similar jobs.

National Mine Health and Safety Academy Instructor Michele Santos-Cranford sat down with us to talk about her career and tips for women in the mining industry. 

Forty-five years ago, MSHA was created to help keep America’s miners safe and healthy. We celebrate the progress we have made since 1978 while acknowledging our work is far from done.

Black Americans have had an integral role in shaping our nation’s mining industry since its earliest days — and yet their contributions remain largely unrecognized by mainstream history books.

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