Trump’s Reduction in Force Push Raises Mine Safety Concerns

Joseph Main has seen firsthand how experienced mine safety inspectors can save lives.

Main—who began working at coal mines in 1967—served as the assistant secretary of labor for mine safety and health during the Obama administration when the Upper Big Branch Mine disaster, the worst coal mining accident in 40 years, occurred.

Main told a congressional committee in 2012 that having acting supervisors filling vacated positions in the section responsible for inspecting the mine “contributed to the inadequate review of inspection reports.” He also noted the section didn’t use stricter enforcement tools for mine safety violations at Upper Big Branch ...