Mine safety and health: A formula for continued success

Journal Article · · West Virginia Law Review; (United States)

OSTI ID:6918342

McAteer, J D

A quarter of a century ago, the United States Congress passed the Federal Coal Mine Health and Safety Act. This landmark legislation was intended to eliminate the loss of life, serious injury, and illness that in 1969 were routine in the mining industry. It is fitting that we applaud the significant progress that has been made in mine health and safety since 1969, assess what has proved successful and what has not, and consider new strategies for enhancing the workplace protection of the Nation's miners. We are at a turning point in the evolution of mine safety and health. We have the largest, the most productive, and most modern mining industry in the world. The time has now come to have the safest and most healthful mines as well. In the 25 years since the passage of the 1969 Coal Act, all in the mining industry have learned valuable lessons on how to operate safe mines. Nonetheless, we continue to encounter some mine operators who ignore even the most basic safety principles. As with all occupational safety and health statutes, the successful enforcement of the Mine Act must be measured by a continuing decline in preventable harm to miners. Our long-term goal must be to ensure that, without exception, an individual can devote a lifetime to a mining career and emerge healthy and unharmed, fully capable of enjoying a long and vigorous retirement.

• OSTI ID: 6918342
• Journal Information: West Virginia Law Review; (United States), Journal Name: West Virginia Law Review; (United States) Vol. 96:3; ISSN 0043-3268; ISSN WVLRDO
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

01 COAL, LIGNITE, AND PEAT
012000 -- Coal
Lignite
& Peat-- Mining
016000* -- Coal
Lignite
& Peat-- Health & Safety
ANIMALS
COAL MINERS
COAL MINES
HAZARDS
HEALTH HAZARDS
IMPLEMENTATION
INJURIES
LEGAL ASPECTS
MAMMALS
MAN
MINERS
MINES
NATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS
OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY
PERSONNEL
PRIMATES
SAFETY
UNDERGROUND FACILITIES
US DOE
US MSHA
US ORGANIZATIONS
VERTEBRATES