ARLINGTON, Va. – The Mine Safety and Health Administration today announced that the agency launched an inspection blitz over the past weekend at 57 coal mines whose history of underground conditions indicated a significant number of violations and/or conditions that may include problems relating to methane accumulations, ventilation practices, rock dust applications and inadequate mine examinations.

WASHINGTON – At the U.S. Department of Labor's request, an independent team of occupational safety experts will examine the process and outcomes of the Mine Safety and Health Administration's internal review in the wake of the explosion at the Upper Big Branch Mine. Both the MSHA internal review and the independent analysis of that review will be made public. This independent assessment is aimed at assuring transparency and accountability, and will evaluate the policy, process and outcomes of MSHA's internal review.

WASHINGTON – Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis issued the following statement regarding her meeting today with President Obama on the West Virginia mine disaster:

"Over the past week, I have spent time with the families of the mine workers who were killed at the Upper Big Branch mine.

"The miners who perished were husbands, fathers, sons, brothers, uncles, nephews or a friend to someone.

Arlington, VA – The Mine Safety and Health Administration has announced the publication of a final rule in the Federal Register revising requirements that MSHA and the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health use to approve sampling devices for monitoring miner exposure to respirable coal mine dust. The final rule updates approval requirements for the existing "coal mine dust personal sampler unit" to reflect improvements in this sampler over the past 15 years.

Arlington, VA – The Mine Safety and Health Administration has announced the publication of a final rule in the Federal Register revising the agency's electrical design requirements for the approval of high-voltage continuous mining machines. The rule also establishes additional safety standards to address the machines' installation, use and maintenance in underground coal mines. MSHA's existing standards do not address high-voltage continuous mining machines.

WASHINGTON – U.S. Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis issued the following statement on the death of 29 miners at Upper Big Branch South Mine:

"I offer my sincere and heartfelt condolences to the families. We now know that 29 miners perished at the Upper Big Branch Mine. May they all rest in peace.

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor's Mine Safety and Health Administration has appointed a team to investigate the April 5 explosion at the Upper Big Branch South Mine (Performance Coal Co.) in Whitesville, W.Va.

"Twenty-five hardworking men died unnecessarily in a mine Monday," said Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis. "The very best way we can honor them is to do our job. MSHA's investigation team is committed to finding out what happened, and we will take action."

WASHINGTON – U.S. Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis issued the following statement on the death of 25 miners yesterday at the Upper Big Branch South Mine in Whitesville, W.Va.:

"As we hear of more heartbreak from Whitesville, our thoughts and prayers are with the families, friends, loved ones, neighbors and coworkers. Twenty-five hardworking men died needlessly in a mine yesterday. I pledge that their deaths will not be in vain.

WASHINGTON – U.S. Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis issued the following statement on the situation at the Upper Big Branch South Mine in Whitesville, W.Va.:

"My heartfelt condolences go out to the families, co-workers and communities that are mourning the loss of lives at the Upper Big Branch South Mine in Whitesville, W.Va. My thoughts and prayers are with them.

Rules to Live By targets most often cited standards in fatal accident investigations

Warning system could avert pinning, crushing accidents underground

34 mining deaths in US is record-setting number

Arlington, Va. – Preliminary data from the U.S. Department of Labor's Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) released today indicate that mine fatalities in 2009 fell to an all-time low for the second straight year. Coal mines recorded 18 mining deaths, and metal/nonmetal mines recorded 16 mining deaths, for a combined total of 34 mining deaths nationwide and a significant drop from last year's total of 52 deaths.

Federal Coal Mine Health and Safety Act of 1969 paved way for major reforms

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor's Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) today commemorated the 40th anniversary of the signing of the Federal Coal Mine Health and Safety Act of 1969 (Mine Act), which instituted the strongest and most comprehensive occupational safety and health protections that had ever been enacted in the country.

BECKLEY, W.Va. – The U.S. Department of Labor's Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) today announced a multifaceted, comprehensive strategy to end new cases of black lung among the nation's coal miners. Black lung is a collection of debilitating and potentially fatal diseases from respirable coal mine dust exposure. These diseases have been on the rise in recent years. MSHA's initiative to curb black lung will include focused enforcement, targeted education and training, rulemaking and collaboration with stakeholders.

UAE Coalcorp Associates issued 5 flagrant violations in wake of 2008 fatality

ARLINGTON, Va. – The U.S. Department of Labor's Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) today announced it has proposed $504,900 in civil penalties against UAE Coalcorp Associates, which operates the Harmony Mine in Northumberland County, Pa. Five violations were cited as the result of a fatal roof fall accident in June 2008 and assessed under the flagrant violation provision of MSHA's civil penalty regulation.

Move marks 5th round of enforcement initiative by mine safety agency

ARLINGTON, Va. – The U.S. Department of Labor's Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) today announced that 10 mine operators from around the country have received letters putting them on notice that each has a potential pattern of violations of mandatory health or safety standards under Section 104(e) of the federal Mine Safety and Health Act of 1977 (Mine Act).

Training funds total more than $8.3 million in fiscal year 2009

ARLINGTON, Va. – The U.S. Department of Labor's Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) today announced it has allocated more than $8.3 million in health and safety training grants for fiscal year 2009, up from last year's distribution of $8.2 million.

Appalachian region is recipient of 3 of 6 grants

Nearly 90 teams to compete in simulated coal mine emergency

New rule calls for more teams, additional training