MSHA, NIOSH Will Announce New Guide to Address Opioid Disorders in Mining Industry — Occupational Health & Safety

MSHA, NIOSH Will Announce New Guide to Address Opioid Disorders in Mining Industry

The publication’s announcement takes place in Pittsburgh on October 30, 2024.

• By Robert Yaniz Jr.
• Oct 30, 2024

Acting Secretary of Labor Julie Su and MSHA Assistant Secretary Chris Williamson will unite in Pittsburgh to announce a new resource designed to curb opioid use disorder within the mining industry.

Developed jointly by the Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) and the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), this new guide is titled “Implementing Effective Workplace Solutions to Prevent Opioid Use Disorder: A Resource Guide for the Mining Industry.” It addresses both prevention and recovery efforts tailored to mining environments.

According to a recent release, the resource guide is designed to enhance awareness about opioid misuse among workers, reduce the stigma surrounding substance use disorders, foster open dialogues on the issue, and improve access to treatment options within mining communities. 

Su and Williamson as well as NIOSH Director Dr. John Howard will discuss the resource guide’s goals during a roundtable alongside industry leaders and union representatives from United Steelworkers, United Mine Workers of America, International Union of Operating Engineers Local 478, and executives from companies like Tilcon Connecticut Inc., Vulcan Materials and Consol Energy.

The roundtable unites various sectors within mining and related industries, emphasizing the role of inclusive and supportive workplace policies in preventing opioid use disorder. The discussion will focus on prevention efforts, current resources, the importance of recovery-friendly workplaces, and the challenges facing mining communities, which has high rates of opioid-related issues.