Utah Labor Commissioner Appoints Director of Office of Coal Mine Safety

Utah Labor Commissioner Sherrie Hayashi has named Garth J. Nielsen director of the state’s new Office of Coal Mine Safety. The OCMS was established at the recommendation of the Utah Mine Safety Commission, appointed by Gov. Jon Huntsman.

Huntsman appointed the Commission following the Crandall Canyon Mine Disaster in 2007 where six mine workers and three rescue
workers died. The OCMS exists to maximize coal mine safety,
prevent coal mine accidents, and provide for effective coal mine
accident response.

Nielsen has been employed in the mining industry for more than 35
years, most recently as director of mine development at
Interwest Mining. At Interwest, Nielsen was responsible for
recruiting, hiring and training employees. Throughout his mining career, Nielsen has had experience in both ground control and underground construction, which included longwall production and supervision.

As Director of the OCMS, Nielsen will be responsible for monitoring mine safety and will act as Utah liaison with MSHA as well.