November 19, 2014 – David A. Zegeer, PE, a longtime coal industry leader and advocate, explains his unique vantage point in a recently released book entitled, “INSIDE MSHA: The Formative Years of the Mine Safety and Health Administration.”  As the leader of the federal agency that oversees mine safety in the United States from 1983-1987, Zegeer gives the reader insight and information that cannot be found elsewhere.

Zegeer had a dramatic impact on mining and mine safety in the US.  He had a long career in the coal industry in Kentucky with Consolidation Coal Company and Beth Elkhorn Corporation (owned by Bethlehem Steel).  He mentored many people in that time. After retiring to Lexington and serving as a mining consultant for several years, he accepted the position as Assistant Secretary for the U.S. Department of Labor, Mine Safety and Health Administration in 1983 where he remained until 1987. 

He retired again to Lexington working as a consulting engineer for the remainder of his active career.  He had developed a reputation as an expert on mine explosions and their prevention and traveled worldwide.  One of his retirement goals had been to write a book that chronicled his time as head of MSHA including a history of the agency.  When his health began to decline, he retained Ms. Shannon Lamkin to pull his notes together.  Dave passed away on December 10, 2012.  He had read and approved the final chapter of the book the week before he passed.  It is part memoir, part history, and part commentary on one man’s contribution to the industry he loved and dedicated to the miners in the US who have made this country what it is today.

All proceeds after expenses of this book will go to benefit the David A. Zegeer Mine Health & Safety Scholarship at the University of Kentucky, Department of Mining Engineering. 

To order copies of INSIDE MSHA: The Formative Years of the Mine Safety and Health Administration, please log onto www.davezegeer.com. A limited number of review copies for the media are available by contacting Steve Gardner at jsgardner@engrservices.com.