Legal Definitions - Mine Safety and Health Administration

The Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) is a unit within the U.S. Department of Labor that is responsible for ensuring the safety and health of workers in the mining industry. Its main goal is to prevent accidents and occupational diseases in mines across the country.

MSHA sets mandatory safety and health standards that all mining companies must follow. If these standards are violated, MSHA has the authority to assess fines and penalties. Additionally, MSHA investigates mine accidents to determine their cause and prevent similar incidents from occurring in the future.

For example, if a mining company fails to provide proper ventilation in a mine, MSHA may assess fines and require the company to make changes to improve air quality. If a mine accident occurs, MSHA will investigate to determine if any safety standards were violated and make recommendations to prevent similar accidents from happening in the future.