PERSONAL RIGHTS UNDER THE MINE ACT

If you are a miner, you have the right to:

If you are a miner, you (and a fellow miner) have the right to have a representative accompany MSHA officials during inspections and meetings at your mine.

If you are a miners’ representative, you have the right to:

Be protected from discrimination when exercising your rights under the Mine Act, including reporting unsafe conditions or violations.

Request a mine inspection when you believe there is an imminent danger or a violation of safety or health standard.

Be informed about and participate in conferences and enforcement proceedings under the Mine Act.

Inspect certain mine records and documents as permitted by the Mine Act.

Receive copies of required documents under the Mine Act.

If you are a miners’ representative who is also a miner, you may be paid for time spent participating in health and safety inspections under certain conditions. If you are an applicant for employment, you are protected from discrimination when exercising your rights under the Mine Act, including reporting unsafe conditions or violations.

This course will now provide further explanation of each of the rights described above.

Section 2 of the Mine Act states that mine operators, with the assistance of miners, have the primary responsibility for preventing health and safety hazards at mining operations.

Because it is not always possible for all miners to assist MSHA during inspections or investigations, the Mine Act grants miners the right to designate a representative, representatives, or an organization to act on their behalf in certain aspects of inspections and enforcement activities.