Mine and Cave Safety

mine and cave safety program

Mining is one of the most dangerous industries in the country. Historically, 2 Missouri miners are killed each year and over 100 are injured while working in the mines or caves. To help make Missouri’s mines and caves safer, the Division offers FREE programs to train Missouri miners on implementing safe and healthy working habits at the workplace. Services include: safety and health, first aid, and cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR).

The Missouri Mine Safety and Health Training Program is designed to help miners and the mining community reduce accidents through education, training, hazard elimination, and assistance provided to miners in accordance with Missouri state laws and regulations and the Federal Mine Act of 1977.

Accident Reporting Regulations

Section 239.190, RSMo 2016: "Accident reports, investigation, powers of inspector — failure to report, penalty. — Whenever loss of life or serious personal injury shall occur by reason of any explosion or of any accident whatsoever, in or about any mine, it shall be the duty of the person having charge of such mine to report the facts thereof without delay to the director or an inspector of the division of mine inspection, and if any person is killed thereby, to notify the coroner of the county also, or in his absence or inability to act, any associate circuit judge of said county; and the said director or inspector shall, if he deem it necessary from the facts reported, immediately go to the scene of said accident and make suggestions and render such assistance as he may deem necessary for the safety of the men; and the director or inspector shall investigate and ascertain the cause of such explosion or accident and make a report thereof, which he shall preserve with the other records of his office; and to enable him to make such investigation, he shall have the power to take depositions, compel the attendance of witnesses and administer oaths or affirmations to them; and the cost of such investigation shall be paid by the county commission of the county in which such accident shall have occurred, in the same manner as costs of coroners' inquests are now paid. And a failure on the part of the person having charge of any mine in which any such accident may have occurred to give notice to the director or inspector or coroner, as provided for in this section, shall subject such person to a fine of not less than one hundred nor more than three hundred dollars, to be recovered of him in the name of the state of Missouri, before any associate circuit judge of such county wherein the mine is situate and the accident occurred."

Free Training & Services Offered

Free on-site training and consultation are available, and will be tailored to your site. A brief consultation and inspection audit will be arranged by one of the Division's Mine Safety and Health Administration - (MSHA) certified instructors to determine your needs.

Consultation Services are offered on the following topics: safety and loss control, MSHA training plan, evacuation plans, ventilation plans, substance abuse, cardiopulmonary resuscitation, hazard awareness, hazard elimination, job safety analysis, 30 CFR Parts 46, 48, 56, 57 and 77, accident investigation, revised Missouri statutes, and site inspections.

Owner/operators, contractors, sub-contractors, and vendors to the mining community can contact David Attebery, M.S., CSP, at 573-522-2917 or minecavesafety@labor.mo.gov for more information.

2023 Missouri Mine Rescue Competition (held Sept. 25-28 in Rolla)

The 41st Annual Mine Rescue Competition in Rolla had 9 teams and a total of 90 miners participate this year! Participants got training and hands on experience preparing for mine emergencies.