The National Stone, Sand & Gravel Association (NSSGA) has penned a letter in support of Wayne Palmer, who was nominated as Assistant Secretary of Labor for Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA).
Palmer is an executive with The Essential Minerals Association and previously served as Deputy Assistant Secretary at MSHA where he worked to implement programs and initiatives to provide a safe and healthy workplace for the 300,000 miners working across the nation’s 13,000 mines.
The letter was sent to U.S. Sens. Bill Cassidy, M.D. (R-La.), chair of the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee, and Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), ranking member of the HELP Committee.
Dear Chairman Cassidy and Ranking Member Sanders:
On behalf of the more than 500 members of the National Stone, Sand & Gravel Association (NSSGA), I write to express our strong support for the nomination of Wayne Palmer as Assistant Secretary of Labor for Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA).
With his extensive experience in the mining industry and in government as a former Deputy Assistant Secretary of Labor at MSHA and a former Senate chief of staff, and with his unwavering commitment to workplace safety, Mr. Palmer is exceptionally qualified to lead MSHA with its mission of protecting miners’ health and safety.
NSSGA represents aggregates and industrial sand producers and those who manufacture equipment and services that support the mining and construction industries. With upwards of 9,000 facilities and more than 100,000 employees in high-paying jobs, our members are responsible for supplying the nation with vital building materials and other mineral products safely and efficiently. Ensuring the health and safety of every worker are industry values inherent in the daily routines at our facilities.
Throughout his career, Mr. Palmer has demonstrated the ability to work effectively with industry stakeholders and regulatory bodies, developing practices that help to ensure all workers return home safely at the end of each day. His knowledge of the challenges and opportunities in our industry will promote cooperation and collaboration, allowing MSHA to continue advancing health and safety efforts while understanding industry needs to ensure efficient production of our essential materials that support our nation’s economy. Upon his confirmation, we look forward to working with Mr. Palmer to advance our mutual objectives.
We urge the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions to swiftly advance Mr. Palmer’s nomination, knowing that his leadership will positively impact the aggregates industry and worker safety nationwide.
Sincerely,
Michele Stanley
Interim CEO