The Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) recently named Deputy Administrator for Coal Mine Safety and Health Timothy R. Watkins to fill the newly created MSHA position of administrator for Coal and Metal/Nonmetal Mine Safety and Health. This appointment to the new position is an important step in MSHA’s reorganization to combine the coal and metal/nonmetal enforcement arms of the agency. As administrator, Watkins will have overall responsibility for all aspects of enforcement for coal and metal/nonmetal mines.

Watkins previously served in MSHA as acting administrator for Coal Mine Safety and Health. Prior to that, he was the district manager for Coal District 12 in West Virginia. He also has served as an assistant district manager in Pikeville, Kentucky. He holds a degree in mine engineering.