When most people think about the Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA), they envision an inspector arriving at a mine site to conduct an inspection and issue citations. Unfortunately, this is the only way many miners interact with MSHA. While MSHA is mandated by law to regularly inspect mines, it’s important to take a step back and understand why MSHA exists in the first place.
Today, many mines and larger contractors have robust safety programs that often exceed MSHA’s requirements. However, this hasn’t always been the case. MSHA was created because, in the past, many mine operators had little to no concern for the safety of their workers. A hundred years ago, more than three miners a day were dying in mine-related accidents. Fifty years ago, it was close to one miner per day. Unfortunately, these numbers don’t even account for long-term occupational illnesses, such as black lung and silicosis, which have claimed the lives of countless miners long after they left the industry. In 2023, thanks to the efforts of both MSHA and Industry, we lost 42 miners which is still 42 too many, but so much progress has been made.
Although the rules and regulations enforced by MSHA are unfortunately written in blood, MSHA’s purpose goes beyond issuing citations. The Mine Safety and Health Act of 1977 established MSHA, with its opening statement declaring that “the first priority and concern of all in the coal or other mining industry must be the health and safety of its most precious resource—the miner” (Sec 2(a)). MSHA’s core mission is to protect miners, and it achieves this by enforcing compliance with the rules and regulations, but also by offering a wide array of assistance to help stay compliant. And many people in mining, even safety professionals, do not know all the resources that are available from MSHA often free of charge or low cost. It all starts with MSHA’s Educational Policy and Development (EPD) group. Under the EPD umbrella are a vast array of resources and advisors ranging from the Educational Field and Small Mine Services (EFSMS) to the Mine Safety and Health Academy, and the Training Resources Applied to Mining (TRAM) Conference.
Whether you’re new to mining or an experienced mine safety professional, MSHA’s EFSMS is a branch of MSHA that you should know about and use as a resource. EFSMS’s mission is: “to provide assistance in the development and improvement of the health and safety programs of mine operators and contractors.” Essentially, they function as free mine safety and training consultants, offering support with everything from answering questions about the ins and outs of documenting training to advising on how to write a training plan.
Those who have never spent much time working with EFSMS worry that reaching out to them might trigger an enforcement action, but this couldn’t be further from the truth. EFSMS operates independently of MSHA’s enforcement branch. Their sole function is to assist and provide guidance. I’ve personally reached out to EFSMS several times: while drafting Part 48(A) and Part 48(B) training plans, writing a Mobile Equipment Safety Program, and clarifying training document requirements. My experiences have always been positive. Despite their heavy workload, the EFSMS staff has consistently been responsive, helpful, and eager to assist. I know of companies that have even asked EFSMS to come in and conduct mock audits of their training documents. You can find the contact information for your local office on their website: www.arlweb.msha.gov/epd/efsms. Wouldn’t you rather have EFSMS find an issue and advise you how to correct it than an MSHA inspector who will write you a citation?
Another underutilized resource is the National Mine Safety and Health Academy in Beaver, WV. While most people associate the Academy with training MSHA inspectors or conducting mine rescue training, its offerings extend far beyond that. The Academy is the world’s largest educational institution dedicated solely to mining safety and health. It offers both open-enrollment classes at its campus and training programs that instructors can deliver on-site at your location. The available courses cover a broad range of topics—from MSHA instructor certification to electrical training, ground control, and even practical skills like using Excel.
The Academy’s on-site classes are taught by instructors with real industry experience, and they can become valuable contacts once you return to your mine site. The class schedule is available on their website: www.msha.gov/training/training-programs-and-courses/academy-home-page. The Academy also offers affordable lodging and meals, though you should book well in advance to secure your spot.
One of the standout events hosted by the Academy is the Training Resources Applied to Mining (TRAM) Conference. Held annually at the Academy in Beaver, WV, this conference focuses on training and brings together training professionals from the industry, MSHA compliance experts, and other safety specialists. The conference features workshops, presentations, and exhibits on innovative safety education strategies, compliance solutions, and hands-on demonstrations of effective teaching tools. It’s not just an educational event—it’s an opportunity to network and gain practical insights into enhancing safety and health training. As with other Academy resources, attending the TRAM Conference is cost-effective, with on-site lodging and meals available.
MSHA’s core mission is to safeguard miners, and its work encompasses much more than just enforcement and citations. It’s about education, prevention, and ultimately protecting the people who make mining possible; the miners. Resources in MSHA’s EPD group such as EFSMS, the National Mine Safety and Health Academy, and the TRAM Conference are there to assist miners before citations are ever issued. Unfortunately, these programs remain underutilized, partly due to misconceptions but mostly because of a lack of awareness. A well-trained miner is a safe miner, so take advantage of the free resources available to you. By doing so, you can make your operations safer, more efficient, and ultimately more productive.
About the Author: John Fowler
John Fowler is a Certified Safety Professional and a Certified Mine Safety Professional who has worked on projects ranging from offshore oil/gas platforms in Alaska to surface and underground mines in the western US. You can contact John at john.m.fowler@gmail.com.
