U.S. Sen. Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV) on May 13 introduced a bipartisan bill aimed at protecting miners from exposure to COVID-19.
“West Virginia miners continue to work day in and day out to power our country,” Sen. Capito said. “Making sure they are protected and as safe as possible in their job is absolutely critical, especially during COVID-19.”
Sen. Capito cosponsored the COVID-19 Mine Worker Protection Act, S. 3710, with bill sponsor U.S. Sen. Joe Manchin (D-WV), to require the Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) to issue an emergency temporary standard within seven days of the bill’s enactment to protect miners from COVID-19 exposure.
If enacted, S. 3710 also would forbid mine operators from retaliating against miners for reporting infection control problems to their employer or any public authority, according to a bill summary provided by Sen. Capito’s office.
The legislation also would require mine operators to provide personal protective equipment to miners, according to the summary.
“This commonsense legislation will help our miners stay safe during this pandemic while they continue to provide Americans with the power they need every day and especially when so many Americans are spending extended amounts of time at home,” said Sen. Manchin.
Additionally, S. 3710 would require MSHA to issue a permanent infectious disease standard within two years and to work with other federal agencies to track, analyze and investigate mine-related COVID-19 infections data, which MSHA would use to make recommendations and guidance to protect miners from the virus.
The bill is supported by the United Mine Workers of America and has been referred to the U.S. Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee for consideration.