How does the West Virginia office differ from the federal Mine Safety and Health Administration?
Both state and federal miners safety agencies have essentially the same goals, but the organizations work independently of each other. The West Virginia Office of Miners Health, Safety and Training is an agency within the State of West Virginias Department of Commerce. While our goals may replicate many of those of the federal Miners Safety and Health Administration, our agencies operate independently. The federal Miners Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) enforces federal mining regulations, while our office enforces state regulations. And, while our offices work independently, we also cooperate in accident investigations, lending each agencys expertise to the other to find out how to prevent future accidents. We are conducting a joint investigation with MSHA into Januarys Sago Mine accident in Upshur County and the Aracoma Mine accident in Logan County. We routinely work with MSHA in major accident investigations. For more information about MSHAs statutory functions, visit the U.
