Federal Mine Safety and Health Review Commission Decisions

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The Federal Mine Safety and Health Review Commission is an independent adjudicative agency that provides administrative trial and appellate review of legal disputes arising under the Federal Mine Safety and Health Act of 1977 (Mine Act).

Under the Mine Act, the Department of Labor issues regulations covering health and safety in the nation's mines. Federal mine inspectors employed by the Department's Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) enforce these regulations by issuing citations and orders to mine operators. The Commission is concerned solely with the adjudication of disputes under the Mine Act, including the determination of appropriate penalties. It does not regulate mining or enforce the Mine Act. The Commission was established as an independent agency to ensure its impartiality.

The Commission's administrative law judges (ALJs) decide cases at the trial level. The 5-member Commission provides appellate review. Commissioners are appointed by the President and confirmed by the Senate. Review of an ALJ decision by the Commission is not guaranteed but requires the affirmative vote of two Commissioners. Most of the cases accepted for review are generated from petitions filed by parties adversely affected by an ALJ decision. However, cases can also be accepted based on the Commission's own direction for review. An ALJ decision that is not accepted for review becomes a final, non- precedential order of the Commission. Appeals from the Commission's decisions are to the U.S. courts of appeals.

This would be essential information for mine operators who are subject to penalties and safety and health violations, as well as mine closure.  Miners will also find valuable information regarding miners' charges of safety related discrimination, requests for compensation after a mine is idled by a closure order.