U.S. Department of Labor

Mine Safety and Health 

Administration

November 2020
2

TABLE OF CONTENTS

TAB 1: AGENCY ORGANIZATIONAL OVERVIEW ........................................................ 2

TAB 2: STATE OF PLAY ...................................................................................................... 8

TAB 3: CALENDAR ............................................................................................................ 13

TAB 4: BUDGET.................................................................................................................. 14

TAB 5: AGENCY PERFORMANCE................................................................................... 18
TAB 1: Agency Organizational Overview

2

TAB 1: AGENCY ORGANIZATIONAL OVERVIEW

Mission

The U.S. Department of Labor's Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) works to 

prevent death, illness, and injury from mining and promote safe and healthful workplaces for 

U.S. miners. For more information, please visit MSHA.gov.

1

Authorizing Legislation

MSHA carries out the provisions of the Federal Mine Safety and Health Act of 1977 (Mine Act) 

as amended by the Mine Improvement and New Emergency Response (MINER) Act of 2006.

For more information, please see the Mine Act, as amended.

2

Organizational Structure

MSHA, headquartered in Arlington, Virginia, is led by the Assistant Secretary of Labor for Mine 

Safety and Health. MSHA has approximately 1,725 full-time employees, including ten career 

Senior Executive Service (SES) positions. The majority (92 percent) of MSHA employees are 

stationed outside of headquarters, in approximately 89 locations throughout the United States. 

About 144 employees are stationed at headquarters.

MSHA is comprised of six program areas: 

• Administration and Management3

• Office of Assessments4

• Mine Safety and Health Enforcement5

• Educational Policy and Development6 and Program Evaluation and Information 

Resources7 [NOTE: Though this is now one program area, MSHA maintains separate 

web pages for each functionality. The Department’s FY 2022 request to OMB proposes to 

consolidate these two separate budget activities into one to align with the new 

operational structure.]

• Office of Standards, Regulations, and Variances8

• Directorate of Technical Support9

MSHA also operates the National Mine Health and Safety Academy (Academy) in Beckley, 

West Virginia, one of seven federally-chartered training academies. The Academy provides 

necessary training and outreach to both MSHA employees and the mining community. More 

information is available at https://arlweb.msha.gov/Programs/MineAcademy/Academy.asp. 

 1 https://www.msha.gov/about/mission. 2 https://www.msha.gov/sites/default/files/Regulations/mine-safety-and-health-deskbook.pdf. 3 https://www.msha.gov/about/program-areas/administration-and-management. 4 https://www.msha.gov/about/program-areas/office%20of%20assessments. 5 https://mshanet.msha.dir.labor.gov/program-areas/enforcement. 6 https://www.msha.gov/about/program-areas/educational-policy-and-development. 7 https://www.msha.gov/about/program-areas/program-evaluation-and-information-resources. 8 https://www.msha.gov/about/program-areas/standards-regulations-and-variances. 9 https://www.msha.gov/about/program-areas/technical-support.
TAB 1: Agency Organizational Overview

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Organizational Chart

 

Deputy Assistant Secretary 

for Mine Safety and Health 

(Policy)

Wayne Palmer

(Non-Career SES)

Assistant Secretary for 

Mine Safety and Health

David G. Zatezalo

(PAS)

Deputy Assistant Secretary for 

Mine Safety and Health 

(Operations)

Patricia Silvey

(Career SES)

Mine Safety and Health 

Enforcement

Timothy Watkins

(Career SES)

Office of Standards, 

Regulations & Variances

Roslyn Fontaine (Acting)

(Career SES)

Technical Support

William Francart

(Career SES)

Educational Policy and 

Development & Program 

Evaluation and 

Information Resources 

Syed Hafeez

(Career SES)

Office of Assessments

Thomas Charboneau

(Career SES)

Administration & 

Management

Li-Tai Bilbao

(Career SES)

Regional Administrator 

(Dallas)

David Weaver

(Career SES)

Regional Administrator

(Denver)

Brian Goepfert

(Career SES)

Regional Administrator

(Beckley)

Samuel Pierce

(Career SES)

Special Assistant

Monique Molina

(Career GS)

Special Assistant

Jessica Senk

(Career GS)

Senior Advisor

Paul Krivokuca

(Non-Career GS)

Senior Advisor

James Vicini

(Non-Career GS)
TAB 1: Agency Organizational Overview

4

Workforce At-A-Glance
TAB 1: Agency Organizational Overview

5

Organizational Changes During the Past Four Years

Mine Safety and Health Enforcement

Historically, MSHA's enforcement function was bifurcated into (1) Coal and (2) Metal/Nonmetal 

program areas, each with its own Administrator and Deputy Administrator. Beginning in 2018, 

MSHA operationally consolidated the two programs to create Mine Safety Health Enforcement 

(MSHE) under the leadership of one Administrator, with a Deputy Administrator for Coal and a 

Deputy Administrator for Metal/Nonmetal. 

MSHA reorganized the district and field enforcement structures in 2019 to better align agency 

resources with current mining activity, to more effectively and efficiently conduct mine 

inspections. MSHA now has three regions– East, Central, and West, to which the 15 district 

offices have been assigned. Additionally, inspection responsibility and enforcement oversight of 

213 mine properties were reassigned to different district offices. These reassignments were 

based on geographic consideration, mining activity, and MSHA resources.

MSHA created three new SES, Regional Administrator (RA) positions to oversee the regions. 

The positions are based in Beckley, WV; Dallas, TX; and Denver, CO. The RAs replaced the 

former Deputy Administrator positions.

Coal and Metal/Nonmetal program functions were merged at the Headquarters level. This 

included combining the previously separate Management offices, Safety offices, and Accident 

Investigation offices. The health programs for Metal and Nonmetal and Coal remain separate. 

Educational Policy and Development and Program Evaluation and Information Resources

In 2019, the MSHA Educational Policy and Development (EPD) office and the Program 

Evaluation and Information Resources (PEIR) office were realigned into one office led by a 

career SES and two deputies, one for each program area. The Department’s FY 2022 request to 

OMB proposes consolidating these two separate activities to align with the operational structure.

As a result of the Department’s enterprise-wide shared services initiative, a significant portion of 

PEIR’s functions were transitioned to the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Administration 

and Management’s (OASAM’s) Office of the Chief Information Officer (OCIO). The remaining 

injury and illness data reporting and program analysis functions were merged with EPD. This 

approach will result in data-driven educational and training policy and priorities for MSHA 

inspectors, the mining community, and stakeholders. The realignment of the two offices under a 

single career SES reduced the agency’s SES allocation by one.

Key Leaders 

Office of the Assistant Secretary

• David G. Zatezalo, Assistant Secretary 

• Wayne D. Palmer, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Policy 

• Patricia W. Silvey, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Operations 

• Paul Krivokuca, Senior Advisor 

• James Vicini, Senior Advisor 
TAB 1: Agency Organizational Overview

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• Monique Molina, Supervisory Special Assistant 

• Jessica Senk, Special Assistant 

Office of Administration and Management

• Li-Tai Bilbao, Director

• Vacant, Deputy Director

Office of Assessments

• Thomas Charboneau, Director 

• Kelvin Blue, Deputy Director 

Mine Safety and Health Enforcement

• Timothy Watkins, Administrator

• Samuel Pierce, Regional Administrator (East)

• David Weaver, Regional Administrator (Central)

• Brian Goepfert, Regional Administrator (West)

Educational Policy and Development and Program Evaluation and Information Resources

• Syed Hafeez, Director 

• Carolyn Wilson, Deputy Director 

• Reza Noorani, Acting Deputy Director 

Office of Standards, Regulations, and Variances

• Roslyn B. Fontaine, Acting Director 

• S. Aromie Noe, Acting Deputy Director 

Technical Support Division

• William Francart, Director 

• Melanie Calhoun, Deputy Director 

Managerial Challenges 

• Currently, MSHA faces several managerial challenges, including changes in the regulated 

community. MSHA has restructured its organization to appropriately respond to these 

continuing changes. 

• Respirable quartz/silica and powered haulage10 accidents have been identified as 

challenges facing MSHA. The Agency has worked diligently to raise these issues with 

stakeholders and will continue to do so, while also developing proposed rules related to 

both topics and highlighting those issues for enforcement personnel.

 10 Powered haulage includes mobile equipment, conveyor systems, and anything else under power that hauls 

people or materials. MSHA has made the prevention of powered haulage accidents a priority, with an initial 

focus on three areas: mobile equipment at surface mines, seat belt usage, and conveyor belt safety.
TAB 1: Agency Organizational Overview

7

• MSHA is addressing two OIG audits in addition to the Department-wide OIG audit on 

COVID-19 response. As of August 2020, MSHA is current with respect to all OIG data 

and documentation requests regarding (1) whether MSHA has adequate controls over 

citations and orders and (2) MSHA standards and policy for respirable silica/quartz 

exposure and its relationship, if any, to black lung disease.

• MSHA continues to work towards establishing succession planning. MSHA benefits 

from the mining experience most employees attain in mines prior to working for MSHA, 

but the high percentage of employees eligible to retire in the next several years increases 

the challenge MSHA faces in developing and maintaining experienced and diverse 

management at all levels.
TAB 2: State of Play

8

TAB 2: STATE OF PLAY 

Key Meetings, Decisions and Announcements

By end of November 2020

Proposed Rule: Testing, Evaluation, and Approval of Electric Motor-Driven Mine Equipment 

and Accessories. MSHA plans to publish a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to revise 30 

CFR Part 18, Electric Motor-Driven Mine Equipment and Accessories. This standard sets out 

testing, evaluation, and approval requirements for certain equipment, intended for use in gassy 

mines, that may pose an ignition hazard. The proposed rule would allow MSHA to accept 

national and international voluntary consensus standards in lieu of MSHA-unique product 

approval requirements, provided MSHA has determined that the technical specifications of the 

voluntary consensus standards provide appropriate protection against fire and explosion for 

miners. This proposed rulemaking is intended to improve the efficacy of MSHA’s product 

approval process and promote the use of innovative and advanced technologies that can improve 

mine safety and health. 

By end of December 2020

Proposed Rule: Safety Program for Surface Mobile Equipment, Including Powered Haulage 

Equipment. MSHA intends to issue a proposed rule that would require mine operators to 

establish a written safety program for mobile and powered haulage equipment (excluding 

conveyor equipment) at surface mines and surface areas of underground mines. This proposed 

rule would address fatality and injury rates related to surface mobile equipment; accidents caused 

by surface mobile equipment have significantly contributed to U.S. miners’ fatalities and injuries 

for many years. This rulemaking is one of DOL’s Agency Priority Goal items and has been 

reported to OMB periodically. 

Proposed Rule: Alternatives to Petitions for Modification: Non-Permissible Surveying 

Equipment. In accordance with Executive Order 13771, “Reducing Regulation and Controlling 

Regulatory Costs,” and Executive Order 13777, “Enforcing the Regulatory Reform Agenda,” 

MSHA sought comment on existing regulations that could be revised to include alternatives to 

safety standards. Based on the public comments, MSHA has determined to propose alternatives 

in the area of surveying equipment and its use. At present, mine operators who want to use 

surveying equipment that is not permissible under the existing safety standards must file a 

petition to MSHA; upon review of the petitioners’ mines and surveying equipment, MSHA 

grants approval on a case-by-case basis. Now MSHA will issue a NPRM allowing the use of 

certain types of surveying equipment under specified working conditions; the NPRM includes a 

list of characteristics of surveying equipment that can be used and delineates what working 

conditions must be met for the use of surveying equipment. These proposed requirements are 

consistent with a 2018 Consent Order signed by the Assistant Secretary for MSHA. Once the 

proposed requirements are promulgated, mine operators would not need to file a petition for 

modification to use non-permissible surveying equipment so that they would benefit from timeand cost-savings.
TAB 2: State of Play

9

By end of January 2020 

Proposed Rule: Respirable Crystalline Silica (Quartz). MSHA plans to publish an NPRM 

amending MSHA's existing standards to limit miners' exposures to respirable quartz. The 

proposed rule will be based on the information and data collected in 2019 and 2020 from the 

public regarding best practices, potential new or developing protective technologies, and/or 

technical and educational assistance to protect miners’ health from quartz exposure. 

Policy and Regulatory Issues 

• MSHA has several regulatory initiatives in progress. MSHA plans to publish Notices of 

Proposed Rulemaking (NPRMs) to better address the requirements for the approval of 

electric-motor-powered equipment, safety programs for surface powered haulage 

equipment, and petitions for modification for permissible surveying equipment.

• The most significant policy work MSHA has done over the past four years centers around 

the realignment of the agency’s enforcement resources to better match the needs of the 

regulated community. As coal mines have become a less prominent mining employer, 

and metal and nonmetal mining has risen to the fore, MSHA has re-evaluated its resource 

allocation and training policies to ensure that the MSHA inspectorate is prepared to 

address the needs of miners today and in the future. MSHA has continued to emphasize 

the importance of health sampling and mine operator involvement in safety and health 

conditions at mines, including increased attention to and scrutiny of operator sampling 

programs.

• MSHA also strengthened the agency’s existing scofflaw program, designed to more 

aggressively pursue collection of overdue civil penalties. The initiative, announced in 

early 2018, was successful and resulted in the resolution, including write-offs, of more 

than $60 million in overdue fines. As of September 2020, MSHA began focusing on 

companies currently in the scofflaw program.

• To address continued fatalities and other serious accidents, MSHA has developed 

initiatives to address hazards related to powered haulage, electrocutions, contractor 

safety, fall hazards, and miners without adequate mine-specific or job-specific training. 

MSHA has highlighted these issues in outreach efforts, including regular discussion of 

related incidents during the quarterly stakeholder calls, disseminating information 

through the Educational Field and Small Mine Services (EFSMS) program, and through

inspectors communicating these priorities to mine operators during inspections. MSHA 

also supports awareness of and developing solutions for these issues through its State 

Grants and Brookwood-Sago Grants programs.

11

• Mine rescue teams are an essential component of mine safety; however, MSHA has noted 

that changes in the mining community have made it more challenging for these teams to 

meet their training requirements at mine competitions. To address this challenge, MSHA 

has adopted a hybrid virtual approach to mine rescue training contests. MSHA has also 

 11 https://www.msha.gov/training-education/training-programs-courses.
TAB 2: State of Play

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initiated the combination of coal and metal/nonmetal rescue training contests, and has 

continued to work with state mining agencies and other organizations to maintain and 

create such opportunities. 

• MSHA also has mine emergency preparedness organizations in five locations throughout 

the U.S., which enable the agency to quickly respond in the event of a mine emergency. 

Enforcement 

• Under the Federal Mine Safety and Health Act of 1977, as amended by the MINER act of 

2006, MSHA’s primary enforcement function is the mandatory inspections of all 

underground mines four times a year and all surface mines and facilities two times a year, 

including health sampling. MSHA also investigates fatal and serious non-fatal accidents, 

imminent danger and hazardous conditions complaints, criminal violations, and 

complaints of discrimination by miners. These activities have continued to the greatest 

extent permitted by applicable local mandates during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Technical Support Activities

MSHA also has laboratory facilities that analyze dust, air, rock, and other industrial hygiene 

contaminants. In addition, MSHA approves certain mining equipment for use in gassy 

underground mines. MSHA also reviews and approves designs for mine waste storage facilities, 

such as dams and impoundments. MSHA technical experts provide advice and analysis for 

inspections of mine facilities and equipment, and investigations of accidents.

Key Agency Stakeholders

National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)12: Under the Federal Mine 

Safety and Health Act of 1977 (Mine Act) as amended by the Mine Improvement and New 

Emergency Response Act of 2006 (MINER Act), NIOSH provides safety and health research 

information to MSHA. 

Joseph A. Holmes Safety Association (JAHSA) and Holmes Mine Rescue Association 

(HMRA)13: JAHSA and its component organization, HMRA, work to advance miner safety and 

health through conferences and mine rescue competitions. These organizations work with 

MSHA to host an annual mine rescue competition at the Academy. 

Labor organizations

• United Mine Workers of America (UMWA)14: The UMWA is the largest union in 

North America predominantly representing coal miners in and around underground coal 

mines, surface mining operations, and preparation plants. The UMWA also represents 

miners of metal, hardrock, and other materials. 

 12 https://www.cdc.gov/niosh/mining/. 13 https://www.holmessafety.org/. 14 https://umwa.org/.
TAB 2: State of Play

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• United Steelworkers (USW)15: The USW predominantly represents miners in surface 

and underground metal and nonmetal mines and coal mines. 

• International Union of Operating Engineers (IUOE)16: The IUOE represents a 

diverse group of workers including heavy equipment operators, surveyors, and other 

trades. 

Mining Associations and Industry Groups

• National Mining Association (NMA)17: NMA is a national trade organization that 

represents the interests of coal and metal and nonmetal mine operators before Congress, 

the Administration, federal agencies, the judiciary, and the media. 

• National Stone, Sand & Gravel Association (NSSGA)18: The NSSGA represents the 

construction aggregates industry. 

• Industrial Minerals Association North America (IMA-NA)19: IMA-NA is a trade 

association that represents companies that mine or process minerals used throughout the 

manufacturing and agricultural industries. 

• Institute of Makers of Explosives (IME)20: The IME advocates at all levels of 

government for the adoption of rules and regulations consistent with safety and security 

in the manufacture, transportation, storage, handling, use, and disposal of explosive 

materials.

• Portland Cement Association (PCA)21: The PCA is a trade association that represents 

companies involved in the manufacture of cement and concrete. 

• National Lime Association (NLA)22: NLA members include commercial lime 

companies and commercial lime company suppliers in the U.S. and around the world. 

State Organizations

MSHA interacts regularly with several state mining organizations, including the West Virginia 

Coal Association (WVCA),

23 the Kentucky Coal Association (KCA),24 the Ohio Coal 

Association (OCA),

25, the Virginia Coal and Energy Alliance (VCEA),26 the Georgia Mining 

Association,

27 the Nevada Mining Association,28 and many others. 

 15 https://www.usw.org/. 16 https://www.iuoe.org/. 17 https://nma.org/. 18 https://www.nssga.org/. 19 https://www.ima-na.org/. 20 https://www.ime.org/. 21 https://www.cement.org/. 22 https://www.lime.org/.of 23 https://www.wvcoal.com/. 24 https://www.kentuckycoal.com/. 25 https://www.ohiocoal.com/. 26 https://www.virginiacoalenergy.com/. 27 https://www.georgiamining.org/. 28 https://www.nevadamining.org/.
TAB 2: State of Play

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MSHA also works with state mining agencies, including those in Alabama, Georgia, Illinois, and 

Nevada, among others. https://www.msha.gov/support-resources/external-miningresources/state-mining-agencies.
TAB 3: Calendar

13

TAB 3: CALENDAR

Event Date

MSHA announces funding for State Grants and Brookwood-Sago29 grants October 1

Training Resources Applied to Mining (TRAM) Conference30 Mid-October

Mine Rescue Day31 October 30

International Mine Rescue Competition32 (rescheduled to April 2021) April 2021

Joseph A. Holmes Training Conference33 June 2021

Stakeholder Outreach/Update calls34 Quarterly

 29 https://www.msha.gov/training-education/training-programs-courses. 30 https://www.msha.gov/training-education/training-program-and-courses/annual-training-resources-appliedmining-tram-conference. 31 https://www.msha.gov/training-education/mine-rescue-training/mine-rescue-day. 32 https://blog.dol.gov/2016/09/02/competing-in-the-olympics-of-mine-rescue. 33 https://www.holmessafety.org/. 34 https://www.msha.gov/training-education/quarterly-training-calls.
TAB 4: Budget

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TAB 4: BUDGET

Mine Safety and Health Administration

BUDGET AUTHORITY AND FTE SUMMARY

(Dollars in millions)

FY 2017

Enacted

FY 2018

Enacted

FY 2019

Enacted

FY 2020

Enacted

FY 2021

Request

Budget Authority $373.8 $373.8 $373.8 $379.8 $381.6

FTE 2,155 2,023 2,065 1,817 1,826

At-A-Glance

• MSHA consists of seven different budget activities that are funded through an annual 

appropriation. 

Budget and FTE Trends

• MSHA’s budget increased steadily by an average of $9 million each year from FY 2009 

to FY 2012. In FY 2013, funding was reduced by approximately $20 million due to 

sequestration, but this was restored in FY 2014. MSHA’s annual appropriations were 

level at $375.9 million from FY 2014 to FY 2016; in FY 2017, MSHA was reduced by 

$2.1 million to $373.8 million. In FY 2018 and FY 2019, MSHA remained flat funded 

from the FY 2017 enacted level. The FY 2020 enacted level is $379.8 million, 

representing an increase of $6 million from FY 2019. The FY 2021 request level is 

$381.6 million.

• From FY 2009 to FY 2015, MSHA’s Authorized FTE levels were consistent. Beginning 

in 2016, the Authorized FTE levels fell by 45 FTE. In 2017, Authorized FTE levels fell 

by 119 FTE from 2016; and in 2018, the Authorized FTE levels decreased by 129 FTE 

compared to FY 2017. In 2019, the Authorized FTE level rose by 42. In 2020, the 

Authorized FTE level sharply declined by 248.

• From FY 2009 to FY 2013, MSHA’s FTE usage was relatively consistent. However, 

FTE use decreased by 117 FTE from FY 2013 to FY 2015. FY 2013 sequestration, the 

shutdown in FY 2014, and a large amount of unforeseen attritions contributed to this 

reduction. MSHA’s actual FTE usage has continued to decline, dropping from 2,250 in 

FY 2016 to 1,866 in FY 2019.

• A supplemental funding bill was passed in 2010 in response to the Upper Big Branch 

Mine disaster. Resources were provided for enforcement and mine safety activities, 

including increased efforts to reduce the backlog of cases at the Federal Mine Safety and 

Health Review Commission,

35 investigation of the Upper Big Branch Mine disaster, 

 35 The Federal Mine Safety and Health Review Commission is an independent adjudicative agency that provides 

administrative trial and appellate review of legal disputes arising under the Federal Mine Safety and Health Act of 

1977 (Mine Act). Under the Mine Act, the Department of Labor issues regulations covering health and safety in the 

nation's mines. MSHA’s mine inspectors enforce these regulations by issuing citations and orders to mine operators. 

The Commission is concerned solely with the adjudication of disputes under the Mine Act, including the 

determination of appropriate penalties. It does not regulate mining or enforce the Mine Act.
TAB 4: Budget

15

standards and rulemaking activities, emergency response equipment purchases and 

upgrades, and organizational improvement. DOL received a total of $18.2 million in 

supplemental funding for the Departmental Management account; $7.3 million of this 

was transferred to MSHA. The funding expired on July 28, 2011. 

• The FY 2013 bill included a change to the appropriation language concerning the 

Approval and Certification Center fees. With this change, the authority to collect the fees 

comes from the language itself, instead of general collection authority. The revision 

increased the amount MSHA is authorized to collect and retain by $1.0 million, to $2.499 

million.

• Sequestration in FY 2013 impacted all of MSHA’s activities. Due to the reduced 

funding, the agency redirected resources to support higher priority activities and 

strengthen its ability to conduct its mandated functions, including required health and 

safety inspections and investigations of accidents, hazard complaints, and miner 

discrimination complaints. This allowed the agency to avoid furloughs. 

Upcoming Issues

• MSHA plans to combine the Educational Policy and Development program area and 

Program Evaluation and Information Resources program area into a single program area 

and budget activity. 
TAB 4: Budget

16
TAB 4: Budget

17
TAB 5: Agency Performance

18

TAB 5: AGENCY PERFORMANCE

MSHA works to prevent death, illness, and injury from mining. In recent years, mine fatalities 

have reached record lows, in part due to MSHA’s many efforts to promote safe and healthful 

workplaces for U.S. miners. From FY 2010 to FY 2020 Q3, the five-year rolling average of fatal 

injuries per 200,000 hours worked decreased 50 percent from 0.0187 to 0.0093.

*FY 2020 Q4 results will not be available until Dec. 31, 2020; results will be revised.

MSHA’s Agency Priority Goal (APG) is to reduce the reportable injury rate associated with 

powered haulage equipment, the primary cause of miners’ injuries, by four percent per year,

based on a rolling five-year average per 200,000 hours worked, by September 30, 2021.

MSHA inspects every underground mine four times per year and every surface mine twice per 

year. Targeted inspections are additional unscheduled inspections conducted for mines 
TAB 5: Agency Performance

19

designated as high risk. While the number of mines in the U.S. has decreased, reducing the 

number of mandated inspections, MSHA has shifted its resources to provide more compliance 

assistance and to fill critical gaps in other MSHA programs to accomplish the Agency’s mission. 

MSHA also reports on the quality of its inspections by tracking the percent of audited activities 

not requiring corrective actions (99 percent in FY 2019 and 100 percent so far in FY 2020).

MSHA protects miners from discrimination without fear of retaliation when they exercise their 

right to report health and safety hazards. MSHA reports on the timeliness of its discrimination 

and temporary reinstatement investigations.

*The government shutdown in October 2013 affected FY 2014 results.

Timeliness of discrimination complaint investigations improved from 87 percent in FY 2010 to 

90 in FY 2020 Q3 YTD. For temporary reinstatement requests, timely investigations improved 

from 78 percent in FY 2010 to 86 percent in FY 2020.