MSHA Establishes Hotline to Report Unsafe Mines

Dec. 14, 1999
A toll-free number allows citizens to report the location of abandoned mine sites.

How can something so intriguing be so deadly? That is the question hikers, outdoor enthusiasts, hunters and swimmers should ask themselves before venturing into one of the thousands of active or abandoned mines and quarries scattered through the country.

According to the U.S. Department of Labor's Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA), dozens of children and adults are injured and killed each year from accidents that occur at active and inactive underground mines, sinkholes, pits and quarries.

In an attempt to pinpoint unsafe access to both active and abandoned mine sites and to publicize the potential dangers, MSHA has established a toll-free number for concerned citizens to report them.

MSHA has enforcement authority over active mines, while abandoned mines fall under the jurisdiction of the Office of Surface Mining, National Park Service, Bureau of Land Management or the U.S. Forest Service.

"In many cases, the general public is unsure which government agency to notify when they encounter a dangerous mine site," said J. Davitt McAteer, assistant labor secretary for mine safety and health. "This toll-free hotline provides a single point of contact for people to report unsafe conditions and be assured that they will be recorded and followed up in a consistent, professional manner."

Concerned citizens can report unsafe access to mines by dialing (800) 499-1038. Callers will be instructed to leave a detailed message and a number where they can be reached for a non-emergency situation.

For further information about MSHA's efforts in mine hazard awareness, visit the agency's home page at www.msha.gov and click on the "Stay Out -- Stay Alive" button.

About the Author

EHS Today Staff

EHS Today's editorial staff includes:

Dave Blanchard, Editor-in-Chief: During his career Dave has led the editorial management of many of Endeavor Business Media's best-known brands, including IndustryWeekEHS Today, Material Handling & LogisticsLogistics Today, Supply Chain Technology News, and Business Finance. In addition, he serves as senior content director of the annual Safety Leadership Conference. With over 30 years of B2B media experience, Dave literally wrote the book on supply chain management, Supply Chain Management Best Practices (John Wiley & Sons, 2021), which has been translated into several languages and is currently in its third edition. He is a frequent speaker and moderator at major trade shows and conferences, and has won numerous awards for writing and editing. He is a voting member of the jury of the Logistics Hall of Fame, and is a graduate of Northern Illinois University.

Adrienne Selko, Senior Editor: In addition to her roles with EHS Today and the Safety Leadership Conference, Adrienne is also a senior editor at IndustryWeek and has written about many topics, with her current focus on workforce development strategies. She is also a senior editor at Material Handling & Logistics. Previously she was in corporate communications at a medical manufacturing company as well as a large regional bank. She is the author of Do I Have to Wear Garlic Around My Neck?, which made the Cleveland Plain Dealer's best sellers list.

Nicole Stempak, Managing Editor:  Nicole Stempak is managing editor of EHS Today and conference content manager of the Safety Leadership Conference.

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