MSHA Leader Reflects on Silica Final Rule, Enforcement Efforts

Coming from a mining family in southern West Virginia, MSHA leader Christopher Williamson is no stranger to the significance the agency has in promoting safety for the industry.

With a new administration on the horizon, Williamson—who has dedicated his public service career to labor matters—is sounding the alarm on the importance of backfilling inspectors at MSHA.

Before Williamson’s arrival, the Mine Safety and Health Administration had seen an almost 40% reduction in inspectors for the previous decade while battling a resurgence of Covid-19 and pressure to implement a long-awaited silica rule.

Since then, the agency has finalized the rule, ...