Mining continues to remain one of the most dangerous occupations in the U.S., but strides are being made to help better protect workers in those occupations. On July 1, the bill, The Miner Safety and Health Act of 2010 (H.R. 5663), was officially introduced. True the bill focuses on mine safety, but it also includes provisions to support worker safety in all workplaces.

The first paragraph of the legislation summery reads “An alarming series of tragedies has befallen our nation’s workplaces in recent months. In the wake of the recent disaster at the Upper Big Branch Mine, there was substantial public outcry about the mine’s disturbing safety record, and the systemic barriers that prevented these recurring safety problems from being addressed. Similar concerns have been raised in other industries in the aftermath of workplace fatalities. Some of these deaths received national attention – like the explosion at the Tesoro refinery in Washington or the Kleen Energy facility in Connecticut – but the vast majority get little attention beyond affected family and friends.” To read the full legislation summery click here.

The House Education and Labor Committee has scheduled a hearing on the bill for July 13.

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