Press Releases

Today, U.S. Representative Matt Cartwright (D-PA-08) and U.S. Senators Joe Manchin (D-WV) and Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV) introduced the COVID-19 Mine Worker Protection Act, which would require the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) to issue an emergency temporary standard requiring mine operators to establish a plan to tackle occupational COVID-19 exposure and provide miners with the necessary personal protective equipment (PPE). Additional information on the COVID-19 Mine Worker Protection Act can be found HERE.

“In Northeastern Pennsylvania, where mine workers’ organizing is a time-honored tradition, we know how important it is to ensure they are protected. As they continue to work in close quarters and tough conditions, miners remain at high risk for COVID-19 infection,” Cartwright said. “This is a bill supported by both Democrats and Republicans that would implement responsible safety guidance and deliver personal protective equipment so that miners can continue to work, stay healthy and provide for their families during this health crisis.”

“Our miners risk their lives every day to power our nation and during the COVID-19 pandemic, that risk is even greater for our brave miners,” Senator Manchin said. “The bipartisan, bicameral COVID-19 Mine Worker Protection Act will instruct DOL to create safeguards and provide PPE to ensure our miners are protected from exposure to COVID-19 in the mines. I will continue to work with my bipartisan colleagues, DOL and the United Mine Workers of America (UMWA) to pass this commonsense legislation to help our miners stay safe during the pandemic as they continue to provide Americans with the power we need every day.”

“For centuries, our miners have worked tirelessly to power America and keep the lights on. It is vital that we take the necessary steps to provide them safety and job security as we continue to battle COVID-19,” said Senator Capito.

The COVID-19 Mine Worker Protection Act

The COVID-19 Mine Worker Protection Act would direct the Secretary of Labor to issue an emergency temporary standard that requires mine operators to:

• Develop and implement a comprehensive infectious disease exposure control plan to protect miners from COVID-19 exposure at the mines;
• Provide personal protective equipment to miners;
• Incorporate guidelines from the CDC, NIOSH, and relevant scientific research;
• In coordination with CDC and NIOSH, track, analyze, and investigate mine-related COVID-19 infections data in order make recommendations and guidance to protect miners from the virus.

Bill text can be found HERE.

In the House, this legislation is co-sponsored by U.S. Reps. Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA-01), Brendan Boyle (D-PA-02), Raúl Grijalva (D-AZ-03), Jan Schakowsky (D-IL-09), Jesús G. “Chuy” García (D-IL-04), Marcy Kaptur (D-OH-09), Lori Trahan (D-MA-03), Peter Welch (D-VT-At-large), Donald Norcross (D-NJ-01), Mark Takano (D-CA-41), Mike Doyle (D-PA-18), André Carson (D-IN-07), Tim Ryan (D-OH-13) and Harold Rodgers (R-KY-05).

In the Senate, this legislation is also co-sponsored by U.S. Sens. Mark Warner (D-VA), Dick Durbin (D-IL), Tim Kaine (D-VA), Bob Casey (D-PA), and Sherrod Brown (D-OH).