says Williamson . “ The act is very clear that the top priority or concern in the coal or other mining industries must be the safety and health of its most precious resources , which are the miners .”
As assistant secretary of labor for MSHA , some of Williamson ’ s day-to-day responsibilities include fostering good labor management , setting priorities , collaborating with other agencies and building relationships .
“ I ’ m all about the mission of this agency . It ’ s a very clear , defined mission and involves working together with all the agency ’ s employees , using the resources that Congress makes available to us and making sure we ’ re doing everything we can to protect miners ’ safety ,” he says . “ That ’ s what I see my job as being . That ’ s what I come to work every day trying to do .”
While coal is typically what comes to mind when one hears the word “ mining ,” MSHA works diligently to maintain the health and safety of all miners .
“ I come from a coal community ,” says Williamson . “ Mining is certainly well-steeped in coal mining . It is historically and continues to be a big part of not just the economy in West Virginia but the economy in the entire country . This agency and the work this agency does has an incredible impact on a number of communities in West Virginia . Our mine health and safety academy is located in Beckley and it ’ s an incredibly important facility . We also have district offices and field offices throughout the state . Growing up in these communities , that ’ s how I first got my passion for mine safety and health , but it has since evolved beyond that . I have a passion for all miners ’ safety and health . My role is to protect all miners ’ health and safety , not just coal miners .”
With somewhere between 12,000-13,000 different mines dispersed throughout the country , Williamson says that less than 10 % of them are coal mines . While coal consistently ranks at the top of the country ’ s most frequently mined resource , some other commonly mined minerals include
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