November 4, 2026 - MSHA is reopening the comment period on the roof control and ventilation plan rule changes the Agency proposed last year. The changes would take away the District Managers’ ability to require additional protections in the mine’s roof control and ventilation plans beyond what is required by law.

MSHA also hosted two virtual public hearings on the matter on September 15th and 16th. The comment period closed again on September 30th. UMWA Administrator of Occupational Health and Safety Josh Roberts participated in the meetings to gather industry feedback and was ready to rebut any false or unsupported comments.

“The UMWA still stands by its submitted comments that the District Managers should be able to make additional provisions within these plans,” said Secretary- Treasurer Phillippi.

“The additional requirements that a District Manager may impose are vital for the health and safety of miners. These additional requirements are based on a mine-by-mine basis that is specific to that mine’s individual needs.”

District Managers rely on roof control specialists, ventilation specialists, Assistant District Managers and MSHA tech support to review and make decisions about plans. All of those are employees, not officers or political appointees. District Managers are also not the sole decision-makers when it comes to ventilation, roof control or training plans. They work in collaboration with numerous staff members, who are experts in their field, to review plans and make decisions that would best protect the health and safety of the miners working under these plans.

The proposed changes go against congressional intent and weaken existing protections for miners. “This is a clear violation of the Mine Act’s requirement that standards and amendments to existing standards can only improve safety and health,” said Secretary-Treasurer Phillippi.

“Section 101(a)(9) of the Mine Act explicitly states that no mandatory health or safety standard promulgated shall reduce the protection afforded to miners by an existing mandatory health or safety standard. These proposed changes would certainly do exactly that.

“We will keep the membership informed about the proposal and whether the Agency decides to move forward with the changes despite our warnings,” Phillippi said.