Labor Department Awards $105 Million to Expand Mine Safety and Health Training
Federal funding from the U.S. Department of Labor, administered by MSHA, will support mine safety and health training programs nationwide, expanding education and hazard awareness in a high-risk industry.
- By Stasia DeMarco
- Dec 19, 2025
The U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) has awarded more than $105 million in grants to bolster mine safety and health training programs nationwide, a move aimed at reducing mining accidents, injuries, and illnesses, as well as strengthening protective training for workers in the mining industry.
The funds, distributed through the Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA), support safety and health training initiatives in all 50 states and U.S. territories, including programs tailored to surface and underground coal mines, metal and nonmetal operations, and other mining sectors. The awards will help expand federally mandated training and retraining for miners, enhance safety courses, and support outreach efforts that address local hazards and conditions faced in mining communities.
Labor Department officials said the investment reflects a continued commitment to improving miner safety by ensuring that both workers and trainers have access to high-quality, consistent education on hazard recognition, safe work practices, and regulatory compliance.
The grants are part of broader federal efforts to strengthen workplace safety and health in high-risk industries. Mining remains one of the most hazardous occupational sectors, and enhanced training is seen as a key strategy in preventing fatalities and serious injuries.
The department encourages state agencies, universities, and training partners to use the funding to tailor programs to regional needs while maintaining core safety standards. Officials emphasized that equipping miners with updated knowledge and skills not only improves individual safety but also contributes to overall workplace culture and compliance.
About the Author
Stasia DeMarco brings a strong and varied journalism background to her role at Occupational Health & Safety, having previously served as a multimedia editor, broadcast journalist, professor and reviewer across major news organizations. As Content Editor, she writes news and feature articles, hosts sponsor and editorial webinars, co-hosts the SafetyPod worker health and safety podcast, and manages the brand’s digital and social media presence. She is committed to informing and engaging the safety community through compelling reporting and conversations that support safer, healthier workplaces.