Enterprise HealthMSHAMine Safety and Health Administration
The Department of Labor agency that regulates safety and health in the mining industry.
Key facts
- Department of Labor agency regulating safety and health in mining.
- Enforces the Federal Mine Safety and Health Act with frequent inspections.
- Mandates surveillance: chest X-rays/spirometry (black lung) and audiometry.
What it means
MSHA enforces the Federal Mine Safety and Health Act across coal, metal and non-metal mines, mandating frequent inspections and specific medical-surveillance programs — chest X-rays and spirometry for coal workers' pneumoconiosis (black lung) and audiometric testing for noise exposure. Mining employers track these examinations and their periodicity inside an occupational-health system.
Frequently asked
How is MSHA different from OSHA?
MSHA regulates the mining industry specifically, with more frequent mandatory inspections than OSHA's general-industry oversight. It mandates targeted medical surveillance such as black-lung screening and audiometry for miners.
What medical surveillance does MSHA require?
For coal miners, periodic chest X-rays and spirometry to detect coal workers' pneumoconiosis (black lung), plus audiometric testing for noise exposure. Mining employers track these exams and their periodicity in an occupational-health system.
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