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Title: Annual report of the Secretary of Labor under the Federal Mine Safety and Health Act of 1977, fiscal year 1980. Volume 1

Technical Report ·
DOI:https://doi.org/10.2172/5631871· OSTI ID:5631871

Under the Federal Mine Safety and Health Act of 1977, the Mine Safety and Health Administration is responsible for protecting the health and safety for about 550,000 employees at more than 20,000 mines and associated operations across the United States. The agency issues regulations needed to guard against safety and health hazards at various types of mining operations, makes inspections of all operations under its jurisdiction, and assesses civil monetary penalties for safety and health violations as the Act requires. In addition, MSHA assists operators in complying with regulations, strengthening their safety programs and improving miner training. The agency cooperates with industry, labor, equipment manufacturers, state mine agencies, educational institutions and other members of the mining community to assure the protection of workers in this vital but hazardous industry. The 1977 Act, effective March 9, 1978, extended the Federal Coal Mine Health and Safety Act of 1969 to cover metal and nonmetal (non-coal) mining, and otherwise amended several of its provisions. MSHA inspectors made approximately 100,000 inspections during FY 1980. A total of 244 miners lost their lives in work-related accidents FY 1980. The fatal-injury rates in coal and non-coal mining each remained at the same level as in fiscal 1979, in both cases the lowest levels in US history. The rate of all reported coal mine injuries increased slightly, while the all-injury rate for metal and nonmetal mining declined by 10 percent. FY 1980 was free of major mine disasters. However, an increase in roof fall fatalities in underground coal mines during the last half of calendar 1979 caused concern and prompted MSHA to redouble its roof control efforts in cooperation with industry.

Research Organization:
Department of Labor, Washington, DC (USA); Mine Safety and Health Administration, Arlington, VA (USA)
OSTI ID:
5631871
Report Number(s):
NP-3902951; ON: DE83902951
Resource Relation:
Other Information: Portions are illegible in microfiche products
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English