Health & Safety

Mission

The UMWA Health and Safety Department works to prevent injury, death, and occupational illnesses from harming our members at work.

From its inception in 1890, the United Mine Workers of America has consistently demanded that Congress enact and improve health and safety legislation in order to constantly improve safety at the workplace.

Over the last 126 years, the union expanded its mission to improve health and safety standards for members in various workplaces including those working in manufacturing, health care facilities, corrections facilities, as well as public employees.

Today, worksites represented by the UMWA are among the safest in the United States and Canada. If you need to contact the Health and Safety Department, call 703-291-2433 or send an email.

Latest News & Media View All ›

Jun. 20, 2019

President Roberts Speaking on Capitol Hill about the Resurgence of Black Lung in the United States

Mar. 19, 2019

APNewsBreak: Federal black lung fund in danger of drying up

Source: AP News March 19, 2019 COEBURN, Va. (AP) — Former coal miner John Robinson’s bills for black lung treatments…

Jan. 9, 2019

GUEST EDITORIAL: Coal Companies, Politicians are Derelict in Care

Source: Times West Virginian  Many a local man has spent decades digging coal in the dark, damp and dangerous mines…

Jan. 8, 2019

UIC Lung Disease Study

Dear Union Members: We are occupational pulmonologists – doctors specializing in work-related lung diseases – at the University of Illinois…

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Roberts C. Byrd Mine Safety Protection Act

The Robert C. Byrd Mine Safety Protection Act would improve mine safety and close glaring loopholes in our nation’s mine safety laws that could help save miners’ lives. Moreover, it would make it more difficult for corporate management to put profits and production ahead of the safety of miners. Click here to read about the details behind this bill. 

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Roberts C. Byrd Mine Safety Protection Act

The Robert C. Byrd Mine Safety Protection Act would improve mine safety and close glaring loopholes in our nation’s mine safety laws that could help save miners’ lives. Moreover, it would make it more difficult for corporate management to put profits and production ahead of the safety of miners. Click here to read about the details behind this bill. 

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Training Opportunities

The UMWA offers a variety of specialized training to our members. They range from miners’ surface and underground safety committee training, electrical re-certification, OSHA 10 and 30 hour training, and correctional officer training. Click here for more information about upcoming training courses.

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Training Opportunities

The UMWA offers a variety of specialized training to our members. They range from miners’ surface and underground safety committee training, electrical re-certification, OSHA 10 and 30 hour training, and correctional officer training. Click here for more information about upcoming training courses.

More ›

The Union Difference

An independent study concluded that U.S. coal mines represented by the UMWA are safer and more productive than non-union mines. The study, authored by Stanford University’s labor regulation expert Alison Morantz, is supported by accident and fatality data from the Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA). Read more below.

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The Union Difference

An independent study concluded that U.S. coal mines represented by the UMWA are safer and more productive than non-union mines. The study, authored by Stanford University’s labor regulation expert Alison Morantz, is supported by accident and fatality data from the Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA). Read more below.

More ›