News Release

National Safety Council Renews Alliance with
Mine Safety and Health Administration

Partnership focuses on safety education for miners, public

Chicago, IL – The National Safety Council (NSC) and the Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) announced that they will renew an alliance to decrease injury and death in the United States mining industry. The alliance between the NSC and MSHA, in effect until 2009, collaborates on the development of safety and health programs for the mining industry as well as educational outreach to the public.

The renewed alliance comes at a time when, despite notable 2007 mining tragedies, safety education and new technologies are helping to reduce the rate of accidental deaths for the U.S. mining industry. While mining employs more than 530,000 workers nationwide, the MSHA and NSC are also reaching out to the public, particularly children, with warnings about the dangers surrounding active and abandoned mines.

“The National Safety Council and the Mine Safety and Health Administration share a passion for mine safety,” said Alan C. McMillan, president and CEO of the National Safety Council. “Renewing this alliance facilitates our efforts to provide miners with the very best knowledge and training about safety and health issues. Through this partnership, the Council is able to work closely with MSHA to address current and important needs of mine workers and mining companies.”

NSC will collaborate with MSHA to advance the “Stay Out-Stay Alive” public awareness campaign, which unites more than 70 federal and state agencies, private organizations, businesses and individuals in the effort to promote safe practices around mines. As a partner, NSC will aid in the development of educational materials and Web-based programs, provide conference speakers on mining safety and health and collect and present accurate statistical information on U. S. mining and minerals operations.

The mission of the Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) is to administer the provisions of the Federal Mine Safety and Health Act of 1977 (Mine Act) and to enforce compliance with mandatory safety and health standards as a means to eliminate fatal accidents; to reduce the frequency and severity of nonfatal accidents; to minimize health hazards; and to promote improved safety and health conditions in the Nation's mines.

The National Safety Council is a nonprofit, nongovernmental, public service organization. Members of the NSC include businesses, labor organizations, schools, public agencies, private groups and individuals. Founded in 1913 and chartered by the U.S. Congress in 1953, the National Safety Council is committed to preventing accidental injuries in the workplace, on roads and highways, and in homes and communities.