Statement of US Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis on passage of Miner Safety and Health Act of 2010 by House Committee on Education and Labor

WASHINGTON U.S. Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis today issued the following statement on the passage of the Miner Safety and Health Act of 2010 by the Committee on Education and Labor of the U.S. House of Representatives:

"The legislation passed today by the House Education and Labor Committee represents an important step forward in strengthening safety laws for our nation's miners. This bill will compel operators who don't take the safety and health of miners seriously to do so. In addition, by also strengthening the OSH Act, this bill will improve safety and health for all workers. Every worker deserves to come home safe at the end of a shift.

"There is a tremendous need for swift action on this legislation. I can think of no better way to honor the memory of Senator Robert C. Byrd and all of those workers who have died tragically on the job than to quickly pass this legislation. I hope the full House will take up this bill before the August recess."