The U.S. Department of Labor announced that its Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) has unveiled an online platform to help miners and their families navigate the process of finding healthcare providers, facilities and related resources.
Accessible through the agency’s website, the “Health Resource Locator Tool” includes care options tailored specifically for miners, including National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health-certified B Readers, black lung clinics, buprenorphine providers, audiologists and speech-language pathologists, drug and alcohol treatment facilities, federally qualified health centers, mental health facilities and Veterans Administration healthcare facilities.
The tool enables miners to search for resources easily and anonymously in a chosen area using a mine name or mine identification number; or a city, state or zip code. They can then sort results alphabetically or by distance.
“The Health Resource Locator Tool provides miners with a single accessible place where they can obtain real-time information on healthcare facilities, services and specialists tailored to their unique health needs,” said Assistant Secretary for Mine Safety and Health Chris Williamson.
Williamson announced the launch at a Total Worker Health seminar in Bristol, Conn., hosted jointly by the Connecticut Construction Industries Association; the International Union of Operating Engineers Local 478; Tilcon Connecticut; and the National Stone, Sand & Gravel Association.
“The Biden-Harris administration remains committed to ensuring that all workers have good jobs, and a healthy workplace is a critical component of a good job,” Williamson added. “Miners face many potential health challenges, whether because of disabling injuries, occupational illnesses like silicosis and black lung disease, or obstacles to finding quality mental health care. MSHA’s Miner Health Matters initiative encourages miners to get regular health screenings and maintain awareness about their health, and this tool makes that easier by placing information directly in miners’ hands.”
By harnessing the power of MSHA’s Health Resource Locator Tool, miners can efficiently access health services, ensuring they receive the necessary support to safeguard their well-being.
The tool will also soon be available within the MSHA mobile miner app.