(WASHINGTON, D.C.) — Today, U.S. Congressman Jason Altmire (PA-04) welcomed the Mine Safety and Health Administration’s (MSHA) announcement that it will launch a pre-contest conference pilot program to help reduce its backlog of disputed mine safety citations. This program will give mine operators and MSHA officials the chance to resolve disputes over safety violations before a civil penalty is assessed, a process which all parties have said worked well in the past. During the House Education and Labor Committee’s markup of the Mine Safety and Health Act in July, Congressman Altmire emphasized the importance of restoring pre-contest conferences as a way to help MSHA reduce its significant penalty contest backlog.

“MSHA and mining industry officials have said that holding pre-contest conferences is one of the best ways to resolve disputes over safety violations more efficiently,” Congressman Altmire said. “I look forward to monitoring this pilot program’s implementation and working with MSHA and my fellow Members of Congress to expand it as quickly as possible.”