On June 19, members of the Joseph A. Holmes Safety Association overwhelmingly approved a constitutional amendment and changes to their by-laws to create a mine rescue organization – the Holmes Mine Rescue Association. This action reestablishing mine rescue as an important function within the Holmes Association represents a critical component in a three-year effort by the U.S. Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) to address gaps in how the nation responds to mine emergencies.

“We now have a new partner—a national organization to support and provide the necessary guidance for mine rescue,” said Joseph A. Main, assistant secretary of labor for mine safety and health.The Joseph A. Holmes Safety Association overwhelmingly approved a constitutional amendment and change to its bylaws to create a mine rescue component during its annual meeting June 4-6 in Virginia Beach, Va. The association will provide a forum for the mine rescue community to collaborate on best practices, procedures and training to enhance mine rescue capabilities for coal and metal/nonmetal mines. It also will serve as a vehicle to disseminate guidelines, training and tools to the mining community.

“Mine rescue is among the most dangerous and challenging types of rescue work undertaken in this country, and we owe those who volunteer for these high-risk missions the best training and support we can give them,” said Main. “This month’s vote returns mine rescue to its roots within the Joseph A. Holmes Safety Association.”

For the last three years, MSHA has sought to address the gaps in mine emergency response, particularly those identified in recent mine tragedies. The Holmes Association seeks to provide a forum for the mine rescue community to collaborate on best practices, procedures and training to enhance mine rescue capabilities for coal and metal/nonmetal mines. It also will serve as a vehicle to disseminate guidelines, training and tools to the mining community. A meeting to establish the executive committee and officers of the new mine rescue organization will take place on October 29 at the National Mine Health and Safety Academy in Beaver, WV.

The Joseph A. Holmes Safety Association, founded in 1916 to promote health and safety in mining, was named for Dr. Joseph A. Holmes, a mine safety pioneer and the first director of the U.S. Bureau of Mines. Holmes was instrumental in establishing and organizing mine rescue teams and training during the early part of the 20th century. The nonprofit organization consists of representatives from federal and state governments, mining organizations and labor.